From Attending Events to Finding Stories
In most independent news organizations, building an audience generally starts with the task of identifying stories relevant to the communities being served.
In the case of Kasdyn Click, the editor-in-chief of Presence News, it has involved attending various local events and doing research. As a result, he finds the significant stories that could be passed on to journalists.
Click has taken on a variety of responsibilities at Presence News, from guiding staff members to editing video content and helping promote stories across social media. His work reflects the many responsibilities involved in operating an independent digital news organization.
Click said his interest in local reporting developed from attending events himself.
“I started going to local events about twice a week, and I started getting a lot of news,” Click explained.
Those experiences eventually contributed to the development of Presence News as a platform. Journalists could then cover local events through articles, photographs, and interviews.
Rather than relying exclusively on traditional newsroom assignments, the organization emphasizes firsthand coverage of events and community experiences. Therefore, staff members can attend events, speak with people in their communities, take photographs, and produce video interviews that can be shared with readers and viewers.
Click has also described the early development of the organization and his efforts to bring additional writers into the project.
“I bought the software, and, uh, maybe, like, May of 2025, and I started, uh, finding other people who like to write,” Click said.
Expanding the Role Behind the Scenes
Today, Click’s responsibilities extend beyond writing and reporting. He also works on video content, including interviews and material prepared for social media.
That work can require significant time, particularly for an independent news organization. A relatively small team may have to handle many different aspects of producing and distributing content.
William Barber, an editor at Presence News, said Click plays an important role in helping staff members identify potential stories.
“Kasdyn wears a lot of hats on the job and helps staff members by telling them which places are popular for getting stories,” Barber said.
That guidance can be particularly useful for journalists covering local communities. In those communities, finding the right event or identifying an emerging story can make a significant difference in the coverage produced.
Building an Audience
Producing stories is only part of the challenge facing an independent news organization. Reaching readers and viewers is equally important.
Presence News distributes its coverage through its website and social media platforms. This gives stories additional opportunities to reach audiences after publication.
Click also promotes staff members’ work through social media. Articles may be highlighted through posts featuring photographs, headlines and links. At the same time, interview videos can be shared with audiences through platforms such as Instagram.
For reporters, that promotion can provide another way to reach people who might not otherwise encounter their work.
Social media has become an increasingly important distribution channel for news organizations, particularly smaller outlets. These outlets may not have the resources or reach of larger traditional media companies.
At Presence News, Click’s role includes helping determine how stories and videos can be presented to audiences across different platforms.
The organization has also used recognition and audience engagement to highlight staff work. Stories and videos that attract significant interest can receive additional attention through the organization’s social media channels.
Supporting Staff Members
Another part of Click’s role is working with journalists after they have produced their stories.
Barber said Click provides feedback and encouragement to staff members while helping them identify opportunities to improve the reach of their work.
For a small independent newsroom, that support can be important. Journalists are often responsible for more than reporting alone. They may also photograph events, conduct interviews, prepare video, promote their work, and interact with audiences.
Click’s involvement across several areas allows him to help coordinate those different responsibilities.
His work also reflects the broader challenges faced by independent media organizations. Maintaining a publication requires time, equipment, software, reporting resources, and a consistent effort to attract an audience.
For freelance and independent journalists, compensation can also be a challenge. The economics of freelance media work have been examined by researchers studying the changing nature of journalism and media production.
For Presence News, continuing to grow its audience and develop opportunities for its staff remains an ongoing goal.
A Continuing Commitment to Local Stories
Click’s approach to Presence News centers on local experiences and the people who participate in them.
The organization thus creates opportunities for its employees to write about events that would otherwise not be covered adequately. It encourages the journalists to go to the events and report their observations.
The coverage can take a number of forms; a single event may yield an article, photographs, an interview, or a video published on social media. Consequently, this offers the audience a comprehensive experience of that event.
For Click, the work also represents a personal commitment to helping other journalists share their experiences.
His responsibilities may range from editing and providing feedback to promoting stories and videos after publication. While those tasks can be demanding, they are part of the work involved in keeping an independent publication operating.
As Presence News continues developing its audience and expanding its coverage, Click remains involved in the day-to-day work of guiding staff members. He also helps bring their reporting to readers and viewers.
For an independent news organization, that combination of local reporting, digital storytelling, and audience engagement is central to its continued development.
Editor’s Disclaimer: This article profiles Kasdyn Click, editor-in-chief of Presence News, and examines his role in the publication’s reporting, editorial work, and community coverage. Because Click is part of the leadership of Presence News, readers should consider that relationship when evaluating the article. The article is intended to provide an overview of Click’s responsibilities and contributions to the organization.
