Got news? There’s an app for that at #ACPLA

Does your news organization NOT have an app? If that’s the case, you’re losing readers and ad revenue. An app is necessary part of any digital and online strategy.

You don’t have to be a tech wiz to create an appealing and user-friendly app. Prof. Amara Suzanne Aguilar, who created the University of Southern California’s JEDI Desk, will show you how.

The #ACPLA App-a-Thon takes place 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19. The ACP National College Media Convention takes place at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Los Angeles Feb. 18-22.

The cost of the workshop is $60, in addition to convention registration. Read about App-a-Thon details here, including how to prepare for the session. Spots are filling up, so don’t delay. Register today.

Ideally you should register a group of three: a ranking editor, a designer and your most tech savvy student on staff. Advisers are welcome too. If it turns out to be “me, myself and I,” that’s fine. You’re going to learn a lot.

A Q&A with Aguilar

amara_aguilarQ: I use technology all the time, but would not call myself tech savvy. Am I the kind of person who would benefit from this workshop?
A: This workshop will definitely be great for beginners. We’ll look at strategy, prototyping, content, user experience and more.

Q: From a reader/visitor point of view, why is an app more effective than a web page?
A: An app gives a more native experience because it’s usually specifically made for mobile. It also creates an engaging user experience. Good content is a must of course.

Q: What are the disadvantages of not having an app?
A: It’s always good to give your readers and users options. If your limiting yourself to a website, you want to think bigger and it’s not even just with apps. It’s also about reaching people with native mobile apps and on the social media apps they are already using.

Q: Have news organizations/publications been able to grow readership through apps?
A: The data says it all. According to the Pew Research Center, “Call it a mobile majority. At the start of 2015, 39 of the top 50 digital news websites have more traffic to their sites and associated applications coming from mobile devices than from desktop computers.”

More highlights here: http://www.journalism.org/2015/04/29/state-of-the-news-media-2015/

Q: Can you give examples of some of your favorite apps?
A: For news, I love National Geographic, NY Times, Washington Post, BuzzFeed News, Flipboard to name a few… I also love what news organizations are doing on Snapchat.