By Gina Cuclis

The Sonoma Sun is eliminating free delivery, while the Sonoma Index Tribune has announced a new line of business that has little to do with journalism.

Sonoma Sun's "Delivery Fee"

After more than five years of delivering the weekly newspaper free to almost every Sonoma Valley household, the Sun has instituted what it calls a "delivery fee" of $10 every six months. This is technically not a subscription, as you can still pick up the Sun free at locations around Sonoma Valley. I wonder how many folks will pay the fee if they know where to pick up the paper for free?

Also, it will be interesting to see if the Sun will provide advertisers circulation data based on how many households are paying the fee. I also wonder if this means the Sun will eventually move to subscription and paid newsstand distribution. Print advertisers tend to prefer the data that paid subcription provides. It's difficult to verify whether people read publications that are delivered free without their asking.

Sonoma Index Tribune Enters the Design Business

By the very nature of their business, newspapers employ web and graphic designers. With those capabilities in house, the Sonoma Index Tribune has added a new business, Sonoma Creative Services. Not surprising the Index Tribune would seek another way to make money after shuttering its printing business less than a year ago.

Friday's IT article announcing Sonoma Creative Services says it plans to work with a network of local independent talent to provide any graphic-arts and creative services need. This sounds similar to being a middleman. If you need a logo or a website, for example, you can search online to review experienced local designers' portfolios and hire who you like directly. Some small local business owners, however, may find a one stop shop convenient and appreciate not having to search for talent.