| What Venture Capitalists Read |
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| Tuesday, May 12 2009 |
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In recognition of the increasingly important marketing communications role at venture firms, for the first time the NVCA expanded this year's annual meeting to include a full day's worth of content specifically designed for the Strategic Communications Group. More than 35 professionals attended to hear about effective LP communications strategies during the recession; how to leverage new media to promote brand; a Dow Jones editor's VC beat reporter's take on the industry; and the results of a survey on the most widely read websites among VCs. The survey, "Bookmarks: What Venture Capitalists are Reading Online," analyzed readership among online only media and print media with online presence. In an era where many traditional print publications are struggling to survive, these online news outlets are becoming more widely read, and influential. Advertising cutbacks and shrinking circulation have prompted the closure of well known newspapers including Rocky Mountain News and Seattle Post Intelligencer. Due to the viral nature of online content sharing, it is reasonable to assume that a story in VentureWire will be viewed by more professionals than one in the print edition of your regional business section. The following offers a snapshot of the "must read" online sources for industry news based on survey responses. The survey showed VCs are most loyal to six online only pubs (no print component), saying they read these every day:
While a smaller percentage of VCs are as committed to reading the websites of major print publications every day, there is a dedicated following to these outlets. Thirty-seven percent of WSJ.com readers go to the site daily while 34 percent of NYT.com readers need their daily fix. Notably, 37 percent of VCs who read Forbes.com and 37 percent of BusinessWeek.com readers go to the sites on a monthly basis. Thirty percent of Fortune.com readers visit the site monthly as well As digital media vehicles - blogs, websites, and social networks - continue adding richer content (exclusive stories, breaking news, and video) thus earning credibility, the journalism landscape will further evolve. It would not be surprising to see the next "Bookmarks" reflect an industry exclusively dependent upon this emerging and powerful media. For a copy of the complete survey results, please email Emily Mendell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
