I want to say thanks to the thousands of you who read this column daily and send me your good ideas. Thanks to you, we turned seven years old today.
The column began in 2001 when I wrote some columns that included story ideas geared toward TV folks who were getting ready for the May ratings book.
Here is one of those columns, dated April 21, 2001. You could probably still report on a fair number of the story ideas mentioned.
On April 24, 2001, we dreamed up the idea of a regular column. On the 27th, the first official Al's Morning Meeting was born (as if you care.)
Here was the first column. It includes story ideas related to vanity license plates, saving trees and the 20th anniversary of the American Airlines frequent fliers mileage program.
A column's birthday seems like as good a time as any to say a few things, so I thought I would interview myself:
-What makes a Morning Meeting item? I generally look for a few elements. Is it new, or is it a new angle on something "out there?" Does it apply to a lot of people? Does it have to do with money, family, safety, health or community? Is it in good taste? Does it look like journalism? Recently I have tried to make the entries shorter.
Tell us what you think about the length of the posts.
-When do you write the column? The answer, truthfully, is I never STOP writing it. I file constantly, especially now that we are using a real blog format. Generally we post at 6:58 a.m. EST, then again before noon and again in the afternoon. We update when news breaks.
-How did this column start? It started when our fearless Poynter Online leader
Bill Mitchell suggested that Poynter faculty should begin producing regular Web content. Seems like a no-brainer now, but in 2001, it was not as obvious.
-Can I still read the old columns? Every column is still available on Poynter Online. I think it is still true that we have never missed a day Monday through Friday in seven years. We have never really counted how many articles we have published, but we reckon it is about 12,000 or so.
-How do readers submit ideas? Just e-mail me a few lines and a link if you have one.
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Who writes this column? I do. But I have a ton of help from editors
Steve Myers,
Mallary Tenore and Bill Mitchell. They take turns editing and, as you might imagine, they often work late at night, on weekends and early in the morning. A Poynter Online editor once suggested that we send the unedited Morning Meeting version out for free and then charge for an edited version for those readers who want to understand what the heck I am talking about most days.
-Who are your most loyal readers? I can think of a few readers who read every day and who have, I believe, been with me since the first day. First and foremost is Jim Sweeney, who has sent me more story ideas than anybody ever. Others include Tax Mamma and my old friends Larry Larson and Theresa Moore.
-What is your favorite topic? I like farm stories and business stories that have an everyday application. I like unusual crime stories that speak to who we are as a society. I like trend stories if they are trends and not fads. And, of course, I like nicely told online interactives and brilliant emergency coverage.
-What if I want to comment on a story I see on your column? Hit the
reader feedback button and type away. Be nice. Be thoughtful. Be short.
Resist the temptation to comment on every damn thing.
-What if I don't like something I see on the column? Keep it to yourself and pray for my enlightenment.
-Can I donate to Al's Morning Meeting to be sure it keep going long into the future? Yes. Cash only please.
-Thank you for granting this interview. Sure, don't mention it.
Al - in dog years that means you're only looking...
