Data: It’s no longer just for computer geeks.

There are mountains of data — online and off — that you can use to uncover the story behind the story. To tap this wealth of information, you just need to learn some basic techniques and best practices, then incorporate them into your daily routine.

These fundamentals, from crafting an editorial research program to using Javascript, will lend your reporting more authority, enabling you to get past “he said-she said” and identify trends, facts and figures that might otherwise fly under radar.

This data-packed, four-hour bootcamp, to be divided into two sections, will show you how to: (1) best gather and present original data; and  (2) most effectively interpret data gathered from original and secondary sources.

Howard Rauch, an ASBPE Lifetime Achievement award winner and editorial consultant, will explore:

• 14 questions to ask yourself when developing or revising an editorial research program;
• 13 practices to keep in mind pertaining to creating and promoting original research;
• “Statistical show business,” a presentation based on original data that’s key to obtaining speaking dates at major conferences/events and to enhancing your market position;
• “Math Facts for Editors,” a segment that will test your statistical know-how; and
• Training best practices and techniques to help B2B editors become data-savvy.

Steven S. Ross, editor-at-large at Broadband Communities magazine and national silver award winner for original research, will then share key insights about revenue enhancement and editorial skills:

• Simple data modeling techniques you can use, including Tableau, Excel charting and modeling, javascript, ‘R’ and more.
• Polling techniques and best practices, including suitable questions, sample selection, sample validation and statistical traps.
• Charting utilities and best practices, including infographics, charting traps to avoid, plus charting for visual and contextual impact.
• Sources of data you can use, including arXiv.org, databases of federal, state and local government agencies, foundations and publications.
• Analytics tools and techniques, including Excel, game theory, artificial intelligence, dashboard and storytelling.
• Handouts with links to analytics tools and data sources.

EVENT DETAILS

WHERE: The offices of American Metal Market, 1120 Avenue of the Americas, 6th floor New York, NY 10036 (at 43rd St.)

WHEN: Wednesday, January 10, 12:30 to 5:00 pm.

Boxed lunches will be served during networking time (12:30-1:00) and light refreshments during a break between sessions (2:30 to 2:45).

ADMISSION FEES:

$45 for ASBPE members and journalism students

$55 for non-members

REGISTER NOW:

AGENDA:

12:30 to 1:00: Networking & opening remarks

1:00 to 2:30: Presentation by Howard Rauch

2:30 to 2:45: Break between sessions

2:45 to 4:45: Presentation by Steven Ross

4:45 to 5:00: Final Q&A and closing remarks

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Howard Rauch
President of Editorial Solutions, Inc.

Howard S. Rauch is president of Editorial Solutions Inc., a business-to-business consulting firm he launched in 1989. Since then, he has worked with publishing clients on a variety of editorial management assignments. Howard’s special interests include competitive analysis, editorial productivity measurement, and, more recently, online news quality.

Howard just published his second B2B book, Get Serious About Editorial Management. The book includes a chapter, “Frequent Research Must be a  Priority,” that focuses on 27 best data-gathering practices.” In 2012, Howard published his first book, Get Serious About Competitive Editorial Analysis. It provides a detailed review of how to apply quantitative assessment of qualitative factors pertaining to news, features, graphics, debut issues, and trade show coverage.

Before founding his consultancy, Howard spent 21 years with leading trade publisher Gralla Publications, the last 13 as vice president and editorial director. Among other Gralla accomplishments, he developed an extensive in-house training program involving several dozen workshops directed to various editorial management levels.

Howard recently completed two terms as ethics committee chairman for the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE). In 2002, he was the recipient of ASBPE’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Steven S. Ross
Editor-at-Large, Broadband Communities Magazine

Steven S. Ross is a long-time technology writer and former Columbia University professor and is also founding editor and now Editor-at-Large at Broadband Communities Magazine. The national publication (www.bbcmag.com) is the leading source of information on digital and broadband technologies for ultra-connected communities. Ross is a highly respected journalist and an expert on broadband technologies. He also has domestic and international expertise in architecture, land-use planning, business, and education. At Columbia, he helped create the world’s first courses on environmental reporting and wrote the first course textbook on analytic journalism.

Since the dawn of the commercial World Wide Web in 1993, Ross has been conducting annual surveys on media and cyberspace, with special emphasis on how emerging technologies shape Internet use. He has consulted on these issues for the Pulitzer Prize board at Columbia and for some of the world’s largest media companies and foundations. Ross is well known in journalism circles for his CD-ROM-based instructional software and for his expertise in distance learning and analytic journalism.

Ross holds a BS in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MS in Journalism from Columbia. He has authored or edited 19 books and three commercial software programs, including major reference books on land-use planning, statistics, product safety, and environmental issues. He has edited magazines and newsletters for McGraw-Hill, MBA Communications, Boardroom Publishing and others. He’s won numerous technical, professional, and journalistic awards.

ABOUT ASBPE

Founded in 1964 as the American Society of Business Press Editors, ASBPE is the professional association for fulltime and freelance editors, writers, art directors, and designers employed in the business, trade, and specialty press. The official name was changed to the American Society of Business Publication Editors in 1997 and to ASBPE in 2012. Membership is free for qualified B2B professionals.

ASPBE is widely known for its annual Awards of Excellence competition, which recognizes the best in editorial, design, and online achievement. The organization also sponsors the annual ASBPE National Editorial Conference, as well as monthly training webcasts that are free for members. Regular educational seminars are held by local chapters. Not a member? Join now!