Trilogy Playbook, Week 1: One strong story placed where it fits

Why the trilogy works

We don’t need three versions of everything. We write one good local story. We place it in the publication where it clearly belongs. We share it to a sister publication only when the fit is strong. If auto-subscribe is on, a click into that related publication can add the reader to that list. This lowers our cost to grow while keeping each list focused.

 

Pick the anchor story

Choose a story with real local pull. A new cafe opening. A park cleanup. A rescue success. Keep the headline short. Use one clear photo. Add a short lead that says what and why now.

 

Place first, share second

Publish to the “home” list first. Cafe feature lives on food. Park cleanup lives on community. Rescue drive lives on cause. Share only if the piece truly helps readers on the other list. Fit beats volume.

 

Use auto-subscribe with plain words

If we turn on the optional auto-subscribe setting, we tell readers exactly what the click will do. “See the full recipe on our Food site (you’ll join the food list).” Clear words build trust and improve click quality.

 

Tag one link you care about

Add a simple interest tag to one link inside the article: pizza, brunch, pets. Next week, send a short follow-up to that interest group. We learn faster from clicks than from long forms.

 

Easy weekly rhythm

• Mon: pick the anchor story and photo.
• Tue: publish to the home publication and cue related posts.
• Wed: share to a second publication only if fit is strong.
• Thu: post to page and share to group.
• Fri: check clicks, new joins, and complaints; adjust pacing.

 

Pitfalls and quick fixes

• Sharing everything everywhere. Fix: share only when it helps that list.
• Unclear link behavior. Fix: say if a click will join a list when auto-subscribe is on.
• Overlapping sends. Fix: stagger timing if a reader joins two lists.

 

Bottom line: One strong story, placed well, can grow three lists without three times the work.