The Word launched in Juily 2004 and was the first tabloid in Australia (and perhaps the world) to be written entirely by its readers, circulating 40,000 copies to over 900 drop-off sites, carrying on average around $30,000 of advertising in each edition and run by two people.
The methods that evolved from the madness of launching such a publication became the blueprint for the Ezyzine engine that drives this website. On the strength of this unique model and streamlined publishing processes, the founders John and Leonie were able to raise some venture capital to build a publishing package called EzyMedia. In 2008 they travelled most of Australia and to mainland Europe, UK and the US, meeting with over 140 other independent publishers. They founded NAIP (National Association of Independent Publishers), running forums in Melbourne and Port Macquarie NSW in order to establish sector needs of independent publishers.
Today 100% of the content for The Word is provided by its readers, with the better material of national or generic relevance also being shared with all 20 newspapers on the EzyMedia network. The Word went to press with its last printed edition mid 2008. The demands of running a newspaper and developing/rolling out in house software simply became too great a stretch. Online The Word grows from strength to strength, with over 3000 hits per week on the site, over 1200 views of the online pageflip version and new content daily. The paper side of this story will resume when the right individual or group take on the challenge of reigniting the business. The Word retains over 500 advertisers on its books and all the necessary collateral.
If you have something to say, whether its news, opinion or an upcoming events, click on the Submit Content and get it out there! Articles that generate viewer interest, are well written, carry images and require little editing are most likely to get up. Of course Advertisers are always encouraged, this being the sole source of income now for The Word.
Please enjoy this fresh approach to media!
