GeekWire’s Core Values and Journalistic Focus
Thanks for your interest in GeekWire! Whether you’re a reader, community member, listener, event attendee, job candidate, potential sponsor, advertiser, member, or someone pitching us a story idea*, you should know that GeekWire is unique among technology and business news sites, in that we look at the world through the lens of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, where we’re based.
We’re a global site because of this local focus. In general, about 20% of our audience is in Seattle and Washington state, making it our largest single market, while the other 80% is spread throughout the rest of the country and the world.
The reason is the intense global interest in technology, ideas and innovation emerging from our backyard. Our motto is, “What happens here matters everywhere.” Microsoft and Amazon are classic examples, but countless startups, research organizations, educational institutions and others based in the Seattle region also have an outsized impact on the world.
Our news team follows these three principles. We do our best to live up to at least one of these in everything we do.
- Stories that happen in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest and matter everywhere.
- Stories that provide value to the Pacific Northwest tech community.
- Stories that happen elsewhere but are uniquely relevant here.
*Our main focus as journalists is to pursue our own story ideas, proactively digging up facts and informing the community based on our knowledge, research, experience and curiosity. We welcome news tips. Some of our best stories come from reader suggestions and questions. We follow press releases and announcements to inform our coverage. However, we ask public relations professionals to read and consider these principles before pitching us stories. We are not able to respond to every pitch we receive.
GeekWire is guided by these seven core values.
Passionate. We are engaged and energetic. We recognize the responsibility that comes with informing, convening and serving the community. We have fun, and our love for what we do shows in our work.
Tuned-In. Our radar is always on. We know that business leads and news scoops can hit when we least expect them. We actively pursue stories and business opportunities that advance our overall goals.
Team Players. Our best work comes through teamwork and collaboration. We communicate clearly and directly. We scramble to help when big news hits, or special events approach. We debate and disagree in the interest of a better product. We come together on a decision and move forward.
Competitive. We hustle, and get shit done. Speed matters, and we thrive on it. We’re scrappy, fierce and frugal with our resources, attributes that allow us to punch above our weight and take on new challenges. No one out-hustles us. We take pride in being first and best in everything we do.
Smart. We are inquisitive and curious. We’re subject-matter experts, but we’re not limited by our specialties. We are always learning and expanding our horizons. We master the tools and resources of our trade.
Experimental. We look for unique opportunities to maximize audience, boost engagement, grow revenue, build community and create value. We take risks. We aren’t afraid to fail. We plan, invest, follow through, assess and adjust based on what we learn.
Community-Oriented. We are accountable to our audience and community. We recognize GeekWire’s unique role in serving them. We strive for inclusion and diversity in our coverage, events and team. We ensure the community knows and can take pride in GeekWire’s story.
We welcome your feedback. Here’s how to contact us. Read more on our About Page.