The Landings website, to be called mainelandings.org, faced developer delays, pushing back the scheduled launch from February 2011 to at least May. But the extra time has afforded the Maine Lobstermen’s Association staff more time to focus on a strategy for developing regular site content.
In mid-February, the MLA hired a recent graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy to serve as the association’s communications assistant — a key role for developing site content and coordinating future contributors.
The plan remains to focus on five topic pages: science, management, people, community voices and miscellaneous. Stories will take the form of personal tales, feature articles, profiles, oral histories and video, drawing from freelance writers and the group’s weekly e-newsletter.
The additional time before launch has led the MLA to consider how it will publicize the launch of Landings. The MLA’s weekly e-mail updates, newsletter and Facebook presence will all promote the new site, in addition to press releases to local newspapers.
After more thorough research focusing on the site’s sustainability, the MLA plans to focus on reeling in a combination of small advertisements and underwriting, given the organization’s strong relationship with gear suppliers and others.
One more plus: The delay has also saved some costs. The MLA has rebudgeted $2,580 from the first year to the second, due to savings from site development, marketing costs, and writer costs which will become necessary in Year 2.
