“We are not closing; we are just shifting into the virtual world.”
This is the message Richmond News publisher Alvin Chow has for readers.
Since mid-March, the Richmond News team has joined the trend of working remotely and virtually.
While working remotely may have its occasional technical difficulties, the “virtual office is what’s doing the job in 2020,” according to Chow.
“A physical office and work environment doesn’t impact what we do as a media outlet. The content is there and so is the growth of readership and presence in the community.”
He highlighted the News’ first mental health feature in May as well as the annual Best of Richmond feature in September – both important content for the Richmond community.
“One feature was relevant and produced timely for our readers during COVID and the other to celebrate the successful businesses and individuals in our community based on our readers’ choices.”
Chow also singled out the publication’s first virtual Zoom provincial candidate debate.
“Within these circumstances we were able to successfully run our provincial election coverage not only in the print section, but online coverage as well,” he added.
“Of course, this growth is not only the work we have put forward, but the contribution of our readers too.”
Just in September, the News reached an all-time high of 1.3 million online users resulting in a total of 2.5 million page views in a single month.
Recent statistics showed that the News’ monthly online users have reached an average of half a million since the pandemic began – triple the amount of page views during the same period in 2019.
“COVID-19 allowed the Richmond News team to work remotely but more effectively, and our commitment to the community will not disappear,” said Chow.
When asked how he sees the News will grow in the community in terms of its office presence, Chow said his dream is to see the publication interacting with the community in a retail setting.
“Our practice shouldn’t just be thinking of an office. In an ideal world, I’d like to see our office in the community acting like a coffee shop.
“Rather than just a corporate office, a hub that the community can feel comfortable interacting with us and a place to consume content together is what I’d like to see.”
As the Richmond community is still battling the effects of a worldwide pandemic, Chow encourages readers to reach out to the News’ online website for more stories and information.
“We want to hear from our readers. If you hear a story or just want to connect with us, we are here.”
