Using a single-person editorial model
Many independent sites are overseen by one person. In some cases, this individual takes care of the site's design, editorial tasks and maintenance. In other instances, he or she works with occasional contributors to bring the pieces together.
The downside of a one-person site is that it forces that one person to do all the work. It's hard to focus on updates and future projects when day-to-day typos and link testing monopolize your time.
Don't despair -- there's an upside to this model. With a one-person operation you don't get mired in bureaucracy or staff politics. Decisions begin and end with the same person, which means the time lapse between the conceptualization and realization of an idea is streamlined. And since the site is fully formed by your creativity and skill, there's a tremendous sense of accomplishment that comes from overseeing the whole project. It's your baby through and through.
One-person operations are often born of necessity rather than choice. If you're the only force behind your idea -- or you simply don't know others who would want to join in -- the birth of your site lies completely in your hands. It can be disconcerting to go it alone, but if you believe in your idea, there's no reason not to venture forward. Below you'll find two editorial models that can guide you through the one-person waters.
Site: Rebecca's Pocket
Number of staff members: One
Description: Rebecca Blood is the sole staff member for this Weblog. The site focuses on current affairs, Web technology/design and pop culture. Blood usually adds commentary to the links and news items she posts and she also publishes her own film reviews and essays through the site.
Editorial model: Blood is writer, editor and producer for every piece of content. The keys to her posting schedule are preparation and organization.
"Usually I compose all my entries the night before an update and then sometimes tweak or even re-write them in the morning before I post them to my site," Blood says.
Blood assures accuracy by following her own code of ethics. "[I] post as the truth only what I believe to be true, try to alert readers if I think a source is particularly sketchy, and make corrections if I discover that I was mistaken about something I posted," Blood says.
Site: Filmfodder*
Number of staff members: One senior editor oversees all aspects of the site; seven contributing editors submit content and maintain subsections on an occasional basis.
Description: Filmfodder is a combination Weblog/online magazine that focuses on film news, reviews, features and commentary.
Editorial model: Filmfodder's content is divided into two types: primary and secondary. Primary content -- news, reviews, features and commentary -- is assigned by the senior editor and written by volunteer freelancers. When writers are done with a piece, they send it to the senior editor for evaluation. If the piece is deemed unacceptable, the editor works with the writer to fill in gaps and bring the piece up to the site's standards. When the content is ready, the senior editor gives it a final edit, marks it up into HTML documents, then publishes it live on the site.
Secondary content falls into Filmfodder's subsections (DVD, TV, etc.), which are overseen by contributing editors. These editors gather news and work with writers to develop features and reviews. As content is submitted, the contributing editors evaluate its status and continue working with the writers if the content isn't ready. When the section editor signs off on a piece of content, it's passed along to the senior editor for a final edit and production. In rare cases, the senior editor sends the piece back to the section editor for more tweaks or kills the piece altogether.
* Full disclosure: Filmfodder is an independent film publication run by the editor of TheIndependentPublisher.com.
