Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

What is Content That Works?

Content That Works is the leading independent provider of original online and print content for use by newspapers, radio stations, magazines, retailers, corporate Web sites, newsletters, nonprofits and other groups that require special-interest content to build and serve their audiences. We focus on creating great niche content that’s easy to publish, online and in print, so our subscribers can focus on what they do best: serving their communities.

What's in it for me?

CTW is intent on delivering high-quality, original content and exceptional customer service. We focus on creating great online and print content that helps subscribers build readership and revenue in the most profitable niche areas. For newspapers, our online and print content offers a dramatic, cost-effective means to build new revenue streams from local advertisers and sponsors who wish to reach valuable, special-interest audiences.

How does your online content work?

For subscribers who wish to update online pages on their own, we provide weekly packages that contain formatted HTML and XML files, ready for a Web team to post. Or, for those who wish to direct an automatic weekly feed of new stories to existing online pages we provide the JavaScript or URLs required to retrieve the latest articles from our database in HTML, XML or RSS formats. Subscribers who require a fully designed, turnkey presentation in the home, health or bridal areas find our MiniSites™ to be an easy, effective solution.

What's a MiniSite™?

If you have a Web site, you have everything you need to launch our turnkey online presentation, a fully designed MiniSite™. We customize each MiniSite™ according to the measurements of your existing site template. Once your technical staff provides us with your template file, we can usually have your customized MiniSite™ up and ready for ads in 24 hours. Our Editorial team updates each MiniSite™ several times a week with new stories, images and interactive features. Your Web team posts your ads.

What do your print packages contain?

All print packages contain stories (Word and text formats), high-resolution images, PDFs and page layouts. We provide print page layouts in both Quark Xpress 4.1 and InDesign. Pages of our magazine-style print publications are tab-sized, designed on a 5-column grid with a live area of 11.375" x 12.5". All weekly publications – including the classified trio of Real Estate Weekly, JobWeek and Wheel Deals, and the weekly Bride’s Guide, HomeStyle and Body & More features packages — are designed in broadsheet format using a 6-column grid with a live area of 13.2" x 22.5".

How do you format images?

In our magazine-style publications, we provide images in compressed, RGB JPEG format in order to keep download time to a minimum. Images must be opened and saved in CMYK format for print publishing. Images in all of our weekly packages are provided in CMYK format. We prepare images using common newspaper settings but we recommend fine-tuning them to your press conditions.

Do I have to use all pages of a print section at the same time?

You purchase one-time rights to publish our material in print; you choose the best timing for you. Please remember that every CTW story you print outside the special section must contain our copyright information. Check back with us about image use; some images may not be reproduced separately or outside the context of the CTW special section. No further use, re-use, sale, publication in any format (including electronic) or permanent storage of CTW-produced material is permitted without prior, written consent.

Can I add local stories or photos to your print sections?

Local content helps build reader loyalty. You may add local content to an existing CTW story so long as you retain the original meaning of the story. We ask you to keep the original author's name in a shared byline with your writer or as an author line at the end of the article.

Can we port a PDF of the print section we produce using your content online to our Web site?

You can, but we don't think it's a great idea. Most CTW clients find that this is not an effective way to service either readers or advertisers. Scrolling on a computer screen to glean information from an advertisement designed for a print newspaper section is awkward and tedious. Our clients have found much more effective ways to generate revenue from special sections online — pleasing site visitors and advertisers in the process. We'd be delighted to talk to you about the best strategy for you.

How do I receive content I purchase?

Subscribers to CTW content receive a login and password to ContentDirect™, our content-management system, where content they purchase will be accessible for download for a full year. Subscribers may bookmark ContentDirect™ and enter directly at http://clients.contentthatworks.com or they can enter at the Content Direct welcome mat provided on each page of our Web site, http://www.contentthatworks.com. We will ship our magazine-style print publications on CD-ROMs for a nominal charge.

How will I know when content I have purchased is ready for me to download, or that stories on the MiniSite™ have been updated?

We'll send you an e-mail alert. To get on the alert list, simply log into ContentDirect™ and add your e-mail address to the notification list that appears under Preferences. All names on your distribution list will receive an e-mail alert when we deliver new online or print content that you have agreed to purchase. You may remove names and add names to your notification list as needed.

I need help logging in to ContentDirect™.

Your team controls the username and password for your ContentDirect™ access. If you forgot the username, you'll need to ask one of your colleagues; if you're not sure whom to ask, just e-mail us, . If you've simply forgotten the password, go to the login page for ContentDirect™, http://clients.contentthatworks.com and click on "Retrieve a lost password."

How much does your service cost?

Individual stories, which include images, creative print layouts and formatted HTML files, may be purchased through our store using a credit card. Weekly, monthly and semi-annual print publications and formatted online files or feeds may be purchased on a contract basis. Contact the CTW sales professional responsible for your area or e-mail .

If your question was not answered here

Please send an e-mail to .