Introducing the LION Expert Network: Discount services and expert coaching for members

Over the years, when we ask news businesses what they find most beneficial about LION programs, the answer is invariably the same: the coaching. Participants deeply value the hands-on support, real-talk guidance, and cross-industry perspectives that our amazing coaches and analysts bring to their 1:1 sessions. And they want even more of it. 

We’ve also received countless emails from members seeking recommendations for experts who know their businesses in areas like audience growth and development, fundraising, management and leadership, analytics, etc. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce the LION Publishers Expert Network, a new members-only service designed to empower our more than 500 news leaders to directly connect with, consult with, and hire experts that LION is pleased to recommend, each of whom aligns with their specific needs.

Some of the 30+ coaches we’re thrilled to include at launch are Dan Oshinsky, newsletter expert and founder of Inbox Collective; Richard Brown, revenue consultant and chief growth and innovation officer at Wisconsin Watch; Anne Galloway, founder and editor-at-large at VTDigger; and Bene Cipolla, organizational consultant and former publisher of Chalkbeat, to name just a few.

Boulder Reporting Lab launched with a newsletter-first strategy and had nearly no subscribers. Today, it boasts almost 20,000. “This remarkable growth would not have been possible without the guidance of Dan Oshinsky at Inbox Collective,” said Stacy Feldman, founder and publisher of Boulder Reporting Lab. “Dan makes it his mission to understand the unique needs of our newsroom and audience. His tailored coaching, a blend of kindness and toughness, continues to help us surpass our reader revenue goals by intertwining our newsletter editorial and reader revenue strategies.”

“I joined the Expert Network because I truly derive joy from helping LION members — which in turn strengthens the whole local news ecosystem,” said Bene Cipolla. Her impact has been deeply felt by those she’s worked with, including Davis Shaver, editor and publisher of LebTown. “Bene’s coaching has been pivotal in both LebTown’s growth and my personal development over the past year,” said Davis. “Her unique combination of firsthand experience, extensive industry knowledge, and empathetic approach is both inspiring and invigorating.”

Before we dive into all the details about this new product, here are three things you should know:

1. It’s self-service – You can connect with experts directly via our new member portal
2. It’s transparent – Every expert profile includes clear information about their services and pricing 
3. It’s LION and member-vetted – Experts have a proven track record of results with LION members, and you can review testimonials

Years of coaching programs and member feedback shaped the Expert Network

The Expert Network’s journey began in 2020 when LION launched the first iteration of the program. In this initial rollout, we subsidized up to three sessions for members, allowing them to choose from a pool of 18 experts. The response was incredible: we received more than 20 applications, and this early version laid the groundwork for what has now evolved into a robust resource. Our last iteration of this program, in 2024, served 78 members and included over 150 hours of coaching sessions delivered by 16 experts.

But managing the logistics of a program like this, by hand, was time-consuming, and scaling this method to meet the demand we expected was impossible. That’s why we set out to create a self-serve product, allowing our members to directly contact and hire experts.

But how does a member hire the ‘right’ expert? We also know that many news entrepreneurs are working with small teams, tight budgets, and far fewer resources than their larger local news counterparts. On top of that, members have told us that while they’re eager to get outside expertise and consulting help, they often don’t know where to begin when it comes to finding the right coach or contractor.

For over two years, LION has implemented a thorough, open, and competitive hiring process to contract our coaches and analysts. Experts who apply to coach our programs undergo an interview and a real-life exercise. We have implemented and facilitated coaches’ meetings to ensure they are sharing expertise, building on each other’s knowledge, and continuously upskilling. We also rely on members’ feedback to evaluate coaches’ performance.

Here’s what all our experts have in common:

• They have the necessary expertise, skills, and knowledge to provide valuable advice and guidance to LION members
• The areas of expertise respond directly to our members’ needs
• They have relevant experience working with, or have themselves been, entrepreneurs
• They can curate the LION community, industry knowledge, and their networks to help publications prioritize their most urgent needs
• They can effectively communicate with LION members, including members from diverse backgrounds, to understand their needs and provide clear and actionable guidance on a variety of issues or challenges

While we recognize that this system isn’t perfect, it gives us valuable insights and confidence that the people we recommend are uniquely equipped to successfully coach news entrepreneurs. We also understand that not every expert is part of our network yet, so we invite interested coaches and consultants to reach out if you’d like to be considered for the Expert Network.

The last challenge we hear repeatedly from members is the time it takes to gather information on services and prices. “How much will this cost me?” is a common question, and people want to know before contacting the experts. Some rates may be far outside their budgets, while others can be surprisingly affordable. Knowing this in advance saves busy publishers from a long, frustrating journey, especially when they need at least a ballpark figure for budget planning. We’ve worked hard to remove those barriers. The Expert Network presents services, pricing, and even discounts specifically for LION members — all before you even hit the contact button!

How to access the Expert Network

If you are a member, you can access the Expert Network through the member portal, which we launched last December as a one-stop shop for all things related to LION membership. Within the portal, you can explore the list of more than 30 vetted experts and contact them directly through the contact form. 

The portal allows filtering by areas of expertise and by language, or you can directly search by name. Within the expert profile, there is a brief bio, a list of services and rates, and at least three testimonials provided by fellow news entrepreneurs. Click the ‘Contact Expert’ button to inquire more about their services. Some experts kindly provide a 15- to 20-minute free discovery call to determine if they are a good fit.

Our portal also offers access to other valuable resources, a list of discounted products, and a comprehensive tools and services directory, all designed to support the sustainability and success of your news business.

FAQ

1. Will LION keep offering subsidized coaching through other programs?

Yes. Coaching is, and will always be, a fundamental part of our programming. We’ll be plugging the Expert Network into our existing and future programming. This year, participants of the Sustainability 360 program will receive up to five subsidized hours to work with any coach within the network. As we also scale the Sustainability Audit into a self-service program, we may subsidize some hours so LION members can discuss and implement recommendations with Expert Network coaches.

2. Can I access the Expert Network if I’m not a member?

No, but you can apply to become a LION member here.

3. How can I optimize and prepare for my time with my coach?

This can look different for every organization, but here are some initial recommendations:

• Before each coaching session, take time to reflect on your goals and what you aim to achieve. Communicate these objectives upfront, ensuring alignment and clarity on the focus areas.
• Prepare an agenda outlining topics or challenges you wish to discuss during the session. Gather relevant materials or data that may aid in addressing these issues, and send them to your coach in advance. 
• Expert coaches are not expecting you to have all the answers. Feel free to share your thoughts, concerns, and uncertainties as they relate to your work with them.
• Engage fully — ask questions, seek clarification, and share your insights and perspectives. Try to leave every session with actionable next steps you can independently take. Hold yourself accountable for following through on those next steps identified in your coaching session.

4. How can I provide feedback on this new product?

We love getting feedback. Please email Elaine Díaz Rodríguez, LION’s associate director of coaching, at elainediaz@lionpublishers.com.