<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3508" title="Journalism Accelerator" src="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ja-bug.png" alt="Journalism Accelerator" width="50" height="50" />
<p style="padding-left: 65px;"><em>The December <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/">conversation on kickstarting 2012 election coverage</a> was rich with models to mimic, tools to try, ideas to explore and much more for any publisher striving to serve fresh and meaningful election coverage. We have pulled more than five dozen useful tidbits from that forum, organized around three major themes: <a href="#editorial">editorial</a>, <a href="#collaboration">collaboration</a>, and <a href="#money">moneymaking</a>.</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 65px;"><em>Click on the “in forum” link to see the resource listed in context of the larger conversation – layered in dozens of illuminating exchanges. To go deeper – reach out and <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/participants/">connect with the community members who shared</a> their knowledge. </em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 65px;"><em>As you check out this list, comment below to share with others what has worked for you or how you anticipate reporting election coverage this coming year.</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 65px;"><em>As always, the JA <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/about/suggest-a-resource/">welcomes ideas for resources to share</a>. We’d love to hear your top picks, based on your experience, from this collection the community has offered for others to consider. And your ideas for other things you think should be added to this list.</em></p>

<h3 id="editorial"><strong> </strong><strong>Editorial</strong></h3>
<div id="attachment_7071" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px;">

<img class="size-full wp-image-7071 " title="Forum Day 1 Editorial" src="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Emily_editorial.jpg" alt="Forum Day 1 Editorial" width="300" height="225" />
<p class="wp-caption-text"><a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/emilygharris/">Emily</a> starts off day one of the forum with a conversation around Editorial. Photo by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/lisa-skube/">Lisa Skube</a>.</p>

</div>
<ul>
	<li>Track campaign contributions with free data from the <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/resources/the-national-institute-on-money-in-state-politics-follow-the-money/">National Institute on Money and State Politics</a>. State candidates too.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1093">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/laurafrank/">Laura Frank</a> and <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/colegoins/">Cole Goins</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Go beyond the horserace; evaluate governance with data from the new <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/resources/state-integrity-investigation/">State Integrity Investigation</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1193">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/michaelskoler/">Michael Skoler</a> and <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/mpgodfrey/">Michelle Powers Godfrey</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Read the <a href="http://nudges.org/" target="_blank">Nudge blog</a> for brain fodder on how people make decisions, including political ones.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1114">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/aly/">Aly Sneider</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Understand influence tactics: <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1889153,00.html#ixzz1fsaau1F5" target="_blank">See how Obama used</a> group behavioral psychology to win in 2008.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1114">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/aly/">Aly Sneider</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Create your own election-related game for readers. <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/resources/public-insight-network/" target="_blank">PIN</a>’s 2008 <a href="http://americanpublicmedia.publicradio.org/engage08/selectacandidate/" target="_blank">Select-A-Candidate</a> is an example.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1084">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/andrewhaeg/">Andrew Haeg</a>.<!--more--></span></li>
	<li><a href="http://votesmart.org/share/link-to-us#voteeasy" target="_blank">Embed a link</a> to <a href="http://www.votesmart.org/voteeasy/" target="_blank">VoteEasy</a>, a highly interactive API that helps readers find current national candidates who share their views.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1139">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/votesmart/">Project Vote Smart</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Add a simple <a href="http://votesmart.org/share/widgets" target="_blank">search-for-candidates widget</a> to your site.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1135">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/votesmart/">Project Vote Smart</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Integrate a wide menu of candidate data into your custom applications using <a href="http://votesmart.org/share/api" target="_blank">these APIs</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1135">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/votesmart/">Project Vote Smart</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Stay across key votes in Congress or your state legislature with this <a href="http://votesmart.org/media/rss" target="_blank">RSS feed</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1135">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/votesmart/">Project Vote Smart</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Tell readers about the <a href="http://www.votesmart.org/media/publications" target="_blank">Voter’s Self-Defense Manual</a>, a booklet of Congressional members’ voting records and money info.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1103">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/votesmart/">Project Vote Smart.</a></span></li>
	<li>Call 1-888-Vote-Smart or email media (at) votesmart.org for free, non-partisan candidate research for reporters.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1140">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/votesmart/">Project Vote Smart</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Analyze campaign literature coming in the mail, using <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/victory_lab/2011/12/u_s_postal_service_changes_how_they_ll_affect_the_2012_campaign.html" target="_blank">this article</a> as a starting point.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1086">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/jeff-lennan/">Jeff Lennan</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Offer evaluation of candidate claims by bringing <a href="http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/" target="_blank">Politifact’s Truth-O-Meter</a> to your site. Widgets or RSS.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1105">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/maryturck/">Mary Turck</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Look for (or create!) a local-level resource on candidate and lobbyist spending like the <a href="http://www.vpap.org/" target="_blank">Virginia Public Access Project</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1111">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/fairfaxgovbook/">Frank Muraca</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Try <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/about" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> to create quick-hit, multimedia election coverage.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1122">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/andrewhaeg/">Andrew Haeg</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Use <a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/" target="_blank">CoveritLive</a> on election night to draw in a wide range of information and views.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1213">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/mediatwit/">Mark Glaser</a> and <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/agalloway/">Anne Galloway</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Design your election page to be deep but simple.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1131">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/agalloway/">Anne Galloway</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Report on judicial races like never before with this <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/resources/american-judicature-societys-guides-to-judicial-elections/">state-by-state guide</a> to rules, recall, and campaign contributions.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1138">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/votesmart/">Project Vote Smart</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Track the impact of partisan networking tools, such as <a href="http://connect.freedomworks.org/node/65463#2" target="_blank">this one</a> for Tea Party supporters. Or use them to find activists.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1160">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/knowtheory/">Ted Han</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Check out the <a href="https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions" target="_blank">White House’s “We The People” petition site</a> for ideas suggested or supported in your area.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1188">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/thomas-j-lee/">Thomas J. Lee</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Use Sunlight’s <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/resources/the-sunlight-foundation/">Campaign Ad Monitor</a> to check responses to local ads. Or to get readers involved in ad monitoring.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1201">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/colegoins/">Cole Goins</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Get ideas from this <a href="http://www.iwatchnews.org/politics/elections/you-report-election-2010" target="_blank">2010 Center for Public Integrity work</a> to track campaign tricks through crowdsourcing.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1201">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/colegoins/">Cole Goins</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Learn the rich possibilities of <a href="http://influenceexplorer.com/" target="_blank">Influence Explorer</a> and <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/resources/the-sunlight-foundation/">Politiwidgets</a> from Sunlight Labs. Run your own articles through <a href="http://poligraft.com/" target="_blank">Poligraft</a>, then post.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1204">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/thomas-j-lee/">Thomas J. Lee</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Paint the big money picture with help from another <a href="http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/outside-spending/" target="_blank">Sunlight tool</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1204">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/thomas-j-lee/">Thomas J. Lee</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Figure out what’s missing in election coverage, then dive in.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1049">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/andrewhaeg/">Andrew Haeg</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Challenge yourself to beat <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1040">Charlottesville Tomorrow’s list</a> of election related content, events, and products.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1040">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/brianwheeler/">Brian Wheeler</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Enrich reporting with free data like past election results, voter registrations, and the 2010 Census.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1120">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/davidherzog/">David Herzog</a>.</span><strong> </strong></li>
</ul>
<h3 id="collaboration"><strong>
</strong><strong> </strong><strong> </strong><strong>Collaboration</strong></h3>
<div id="attachment_6708" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px;">

<img class="size-full wp-image-6708  " title="Forum Day 3 Collaboration" src="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/collaborate-1.jpg" alt="Forum Day 3 Collaboration" width="300" height="225" />
<p class="wp-caption-text"><a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/lisa-skube/">Lisa</a> and <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/nicole-staudinger/">Nicole</a> collaborate on the kick off banner for day two: Collaboration. Photo by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/dennetmint/">Denise Cheng</a>.</p>

</div>
<ul>
	<li>Gather community contributions to stories using <a href="http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki" target="_blank">MediaWiki</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1078">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/fairfaxgovbook/">Frank Muraca</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Solicit questions for an article or candidate forum with <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/resources/google-moderator/">Google Moderator</a>.<strong> </strong>
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1044">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/brianwheeler/">Brian Wheeler</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Use the <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/resources/public-insight-network/">Public Insight Network</a> to organize a network of people glad to offer their experience and expertise to coverage.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1077">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/andrewhaeg/">Andrew Haeg</a> and <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/laurafrank/">Laura Frank</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Build your own crowdsourcing query based on a Public Insight Network <a href="http://www.publicinsightnetwork.org/user/form_display.php?isPIJ=Y&amp;form_code=3b818ce437a5" target="_blank">sample form</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1077">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/andrewhaeg/">Andrew Haeg</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Try <a href="https://www.publicinsightnetwork.org/form/iwatch-news/81aff7e453a7/did-you-donate-to-a-presidential-candidate-in-the-2008-election" target="_blank">this query</a> and compare your results to <a href="http://www.iwatchnews.org/2011/03/15/4048/small-donors-vs-big-money-2012" target="_blank">this story</a>. And explore different ways to get your question widely distributed.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1211">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/colegoins/">Cole Goins</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Get a scoop on candidates’ unknown positions by publicly supporting this <a href="http://www.votesmart.org/about/political-courage-test" target="_blank">Political Courage Test</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1140">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/votesmart/">Project Vote Smart.</a><strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Try creating a community election coverage space using <a href="https://posterous.com/" target="_blank">Posterous</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1122">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/andrewhaeg/">Andrew Haeg</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Draw on social media for election insight; chronicle with <a href="http://storify.com/storifyfaq/frequently-asked-questions" target="_blank">Storify</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1122">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/andrewhaeg/">Andrew Haeg</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Manage your community relationships (for information or fundraising) with a CRM tool such as <a href="http://www.convio.com/" target="_blank">Convio</a>, <a href="http://www.icontact.com/" target="_blank">iContact</a> or <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access/" target="_blank">MS Access</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Mentioned <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1132">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/brianwheeler/">Brian Wheeler</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Bookmark this <a href="http://www.delicious.com/mayerjoy/election" target="_blank">elections ideas guide</a> compiled by community engagement expert Joy Mayer.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1146">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/mayerjoy/">Joy Mayer</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Consider the potential for election coverage within existing partnerships.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1214">Thoughts</a> on this <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1179">in the forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/bobpayne_times/">Bob Payne</a> and <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/teresawippel/">Teresa Wippel</a>. <strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Use <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1212">these questions</a> to evaluate any collaboration. Samples: How much time will it take? How much money might it make? Will it help the community?
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1212">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/teresawippel/">Teresa Wippel</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Check out <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1274">more collaboration tips</a>, also earned from experience. Such as: Don’t leave things to chance, think through each detail.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1274">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/elarrubia/">Evelyn Larrubia</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Go into collaborations with an <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1269">honest assessment</a> of the challenges and <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1161">stay flexible</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1269">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/trevoraaronson/">Trevor Aaronson</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Follow the <a href="http://fcir.org/2011/11/13/behind-the-story-fcir%E2%80%99s-investigation-of-deportations-to-haiti/" target="_blank">collaboration template</a> created by the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting for <a href="http://fcir.org/2011/11/13/u-s-deportees-to-haiti-jailed-without-cause-face-severe-health-risks/" target="_blank">this story</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1161">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/trevoraaronson/">Trevor Aaronson</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Think about what community collaborators gain from experience with <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1206">these good questions</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1206">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/knowtheory/">Ted Han</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Consider how to replicate the “super low tech” but highly clear process of communication with contributors on <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/company/contact-us.html">Andrew Sullivan’s blog</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1206">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/knowtheory/">Ted Han</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Join with <a href="http://pressthink.org/2011/12/the-citizens-agenda-a-plan-to-make-election-coverage-more-useful-to-people/" target="_blank">Jay Rosen and The Guardian</a> to change the arc of election coverage.<a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1175">
</a><span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1283">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/maryturck/">Mary Turck</a> and <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/futuresoup/">Jacob Caggiano</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Brainstorm better media partnerships for election coverage with the <em>Seattle Times</em> editor in charge of a 50 site network.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1217">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/bobpayne_times/">Bob Payne</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Tap into data already collected by <a href="http://www.neighborhoodindicators.org/partners/profiles" target="_blank">local organizations</a>; run your own analysis to parse important issues. <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1207">Co-develop</a> a tool.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1200">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/matthewbarry/">Matthew Barry</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Build support for your work and integrate social engagement tools to your site using a tool like <a href="http://nationbuilder.com/faq" target="_blank">NationBuilder</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1205">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/mpgodfrey/">Michelle Powers Godfrey</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Note these sites that have been open to content sharing; and keep up with <a href="http://j-source.ca/about" target="_blank">Canadian</a>, <a href="http://www.ejc.nl/" target="_blank">European</a>, and <a href="http://mindshift.kqed.org/" target="_blank">MindShift</a>-ing journalism trends.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1213">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/mediatwit/">Mark Glaser</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Measure audience engagement using <a href="http://www.rjionline.org/blog/measuring-community-engagement-case-study-chicago-public-media" target="_blank">these thoughtful criteria</a>. Useful for editorial and financial considerations.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1223">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/breeze-richardson/">Breeze Richardson</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Model special election coverage after the <a href="http://mediaengage.org/storyexchange/story.cfm?sid=156643" target="_blank">highly successful</a> public media project “<a href="http://chicagopublicmedia.org/content/elections-2011-dear-chicago" target="_blank">Dear Chicago</a>.”
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1280">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/breeze-richardson/">Breeze Richardson</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Open your mind to all sorts of ways to connect with your community. Even <a href="http://californiawatch.org/k-12/coloring-book-helps-kids-prepare-earthquake-9660" target="_blank">coloring books</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1277">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/elarrubia/">Evelyn Larrubia</a>.</span></li>
	<li><a href="http://therapidian.org/participate">Show</a> community members <a href="http://therapidian.org/volunteer" target="_blank">exactly what it takes</a> to get involved.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1218">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/dennetmint/">Denise Cheng</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Check in with the <a href="http://www.piton.org/" target="_blank">Piton Foundation</a> about doing in your state <a href="http://www.coloradodatacommons.org/about/" target="_blank">what they did in Colorado</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1207">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/matthewbarry/">Matthew Barry</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Ask your readers <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1056">what they want to know</a> before voting, enlist local experts to create content and <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1071">cut the dreck</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1057">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/maryturck/">Mary Turck</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Hire a community engagement manager to build your audience.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1121">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/brianwheeler/">Brian Wheeler</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Debrief the election over drinks with a mix of players and voters.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1121">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/brianwheeler/">Brian Wheeler</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Set up tables at polling stations to advertise yourself.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1121">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/brianwheeler/">Brian Wheeler</a>.</span><strong> </strong></li>
</ul>
<h3 id="money"><strong>
</strong><strong> </strong><strong> </strong><strong>Money</strong></h3>
<div id="attachment_7072" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px;">

<img class="size-full wp-image-7072 " title="Forum Day 3 Money" src="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JA_Money.jpg" alt="Forum Day 3 Money" width="300" height="225" />
<p class="wp-caption-text">The forum closes out on day three with the topic of Money. Photo by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/dennetmint/">Denise Cheng</a>.</p>

</div>
<ul>
	<li>Borrow from the Sacramento Press model and create <a href="http://www.sacad.net/" target="_blank">a local ad network</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1245">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/benilfeld/">Ben Ilfeld</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Draw on <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/resources/local-yokel-media/">Local Yokel’s experience</a> to join with other hyperlocals to sell election ads for bigger races.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1264">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/localyokelmedia/">Dick O’Hare</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Watch this <a href="http://www.cjr.org/the_news_frontier_database/2011/10/neighborhood-notes.php" target="_blank">network of local sites</a> experiment with ad revenue models beyond the usual.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1248">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/corneliusswart/">Cornelius Swart</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Grab a copy of the <a href="http://www.j-lab.org/publications/rules-of-the-road-navigating-the-new-ethics-of-local-journalism" target="_blank">J-Lab ethics guide</a>, designed to help new media navigate ad/editorial issues.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1279">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/corneliusswart/">Cornelius Swart</a>.</span></li>
	<li>Consider the <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1234">legal and ethical issues</a> around accepting political ads. Ask your audience for input. <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1269">Tell what you earn from ads</a>.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1234">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/benilfeld/">Ben Ilfeld</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Seek opportunities in election coverage to increase site participation. Translate that to advertisers.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1240">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/benilfeld/">Ben Ilfeld</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Design your ad offerings so busy campaigns get a simple message – like “The Election Impact Package.”
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1232">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/localyokelmedia/">Dick O’Hare</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
	<li>Figure out <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1202">ways beyond ads</a> to generate revenue.
<span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">— Suggested <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/questions/technology/what-kind-of-election-coverage-do-you-want-to-bring-to-your-community-in-2012/#comment-1202">in forum</a> by <a href="http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/members/trevoraaronson/">Trevor Aaronson</a>.<strong> </strong></span></li>
</ul>