Service 05
Editorial consulting from people who still do the work
Most media consultants left the newsroom years ago. At Seideldexa, the people advising you on editorial strategy are the same people who produce investigative reports, write features and run a recording studio. Our consulting is informed by current practice, not memories of how things used to work.
We offer four consulting formats, each designed for a different stage of organizational need. Whether you are launching a publication, auditing an existing editorial operation, bringing a team up to standard or solving a specific strategic problem, our approach is practical, evidence-based and grounded in the realities of producing quality journalism with limited resources.
Our Approach
Four principles that guide every engagement
1. Listen before prescribing
Every consulting engagement begins with listening. We review your existing editorial output, talk to your team and understand the constraints you operate under before making any recommendations. A strategy that ignores budget realities, staff capacity or organizational culture is not a strategy; it is a wish list.
2. Diagnose the actual problem
Organizations often describe symptoms rather than causes. "We need more traffic" might actually mean "our stories are not reaching the right audience" or "our headlines undersell our content." We dig into the underlying issue so the recommendations address root causes, not surface-level metrics.
3. Recommend what works at your scale
A four-person newsroom cannot implement the workflow of a national daily. We tailor every recommendation to your team size, budget, technical infrastructure and editorial ambitions. If a tool or process is not feasible for your operation, we do not recommend it.
4. Leave behind something usable
Every consulting engagement produces a written deliverable: a strategy document, an audit report, a workshop summary or an implementation roadmap. You keep these materials and can act on them without ongoing dependence on us. If you want continued support, that is available, but the deliverables stand on their own.
Who engages media consulting
Our consulting clients include independent publishers looking to professionalize their editorial operations, non-profit organizations building communications capacity, academic institutions developing research dissemination strategies and start-ups launching editorial products.
We also work with established media organizations during periods of transition: newsroom restructuring, digital transformation, format expansion into audio or multimedia, or leadership changes that require a fresh editorial framework. In these cases, we serve as an outside perspective that is informed by current practice but free from internal politics. The ability to make honest assessments without career consequences is one of the core advantages of external consulting.
Understanding the consulting formats
Strategy sessions (2 hours, $350) are focused conversations about a specific editorial challenge. They work well when you have a clear question but want expert input before making a decision. Common topics include format selection for a new project, audience positioning, content calendar structure and editorial standards for a new publication. You receive a written summary of the discussion and recommendations within 48 hours.
Editorial audits ($1,500) are comprehensive reviews of your editorial operation. We examine your published output, editorial workflow, content strategy, audience data and team structure. The deliverable is a detailed audit report that identifies strengths, weaknesses and specific opportunities for improvement, with prioritized recommendations and an implementation timeline. Audits typically take five to seven business days from initial access to final report.
Newsroom consulting ($950/day) is hands-on, on-site work with your team. We embed in your editorial operation for a day or more, observing workflow, reviewing processes and working directly with editors and reporters. This format is most effective for organizations that need practical help implementing changes rather than strategic advice. It combines assessment with real-time problem-solving.
Workshops (half-day, $1,200) are structured training sessions for editorial teams. Topics include investigative techniques, fact-checking methodology, source development, interview skills, audio storytelling basics and editorial standards. Workshops are interactive, built around exercises and real examples rather than lectures. Up to twelve participants per session. For background reading on handling interviews, see our guide on preparing for an investigative interview.
Areas we consult on
Our consulting covers the editorial side of media operations. We advise on content strategy, editorial standards, verification processes, source management, story development, format selection, workflow design, team structure and audience engagement through quality journalism. These are the areas where our daily practice as working journalists translates directly into practical advice.
We do not consult on advertising sales, revenue model design, technology platform selection or business-side operations beyond their intersection with editorial quality. If your challenge is primarily a business or technology problem, we will say so directly and recommend appropriate specialists rather than overextending our expertise into areas where you deserve better guidance.
What is included in every consulting engagement
Pre-engagement review
We review your published output and available background materials before the engagement begins, so our time together is spent solving problems, not getting oriented.
Written deliverable
Every format produces a written document: session summary, audit report, consulting log or workshop materials. These are yours to keep and share internally.
Prioritized recommendations
Recommendations ordered by impact and feasibility, with clear reasoning for each priority assignment so you can make informed decisions about implementation sequence.
Implementation guidance
Practical steps for putting recommendations into practice, including resource estimates, timeline suggestions and potential obstacles to anticipate.
Follow-up availability
A 30-minute follow-up call within 30 days of the engagement to address questions that arise during implementation. Included at no additional charge.
Deliverables and what to expect
Strategy session deliverables are concise: a two-to-four page summary of the discussion, key decisions made and recommended next steps. You receive this within 48 hours of the session.
Audit reports are comprehensive: typically fifteen to twenty-five pages covering every aspect of the editorial operation reviewed, with evidence for each finding and specific, actionable recommendations. The report includes an executive summary for leadership and detailed sections for the editorial team.
Newsroom consulting produces a daily log of observations, discussions and agreed actions, compiled into a final consulting report at the end of the engagement. This report serves as both a record of what was accomplished and a roadmap for continued improvement.
Workshop materials include presentation slides, exercise handouts, reference sheets and a post-workshop resource list. All materials are provided digitally and licensed for internal use by the participating organization.
What is not included
Our consulting covers editorial strategy, standards and workflow. The following fall outside the standard scope:
- Ongoing retainer-based advisory (each engagement is scoped and priced individually; recurring arrangements are quoted separately)
- Implementation of recommended changes (we advise and guide; your team implements, though we can support through additional consulting days)
- Technology procurement, CMS selection or IT infrastructure decisions
- Business model consulting, revenue strategy or advertising operations
- Human resources matters including hiring decisions, performance management or staffing levels
Media consulting pricing
All prices are in Canadian dollars and include Ontario's 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST registration: 725891403RT0001). Pre-tax amounts shown for accounting purposes.
| Format | Duration | Price (excl. HST) | Price (incl. 13% HST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategy session | 2 hours | $309.73 | $350.00 |
| Editorial audit | Comprehensive review | $1,327.43 | $1,500.00 |
| Newsroom consulting | Per day | $840.71 | $950.00 / day |
| Workshop | Half day | $1,061.95 | $1,200.00 |
No deposit is required for strategy sessions or individual consulting days, as these fall below the $2,000 threshold. Multi-day consulting engagements and combined packages that exceed $2,000 require a 30% deposit. Business clients on approved credit receive Net 30 payment terms. Full terms are in our terms of service.
Frequently asked questions
Can consulting be conducted remotely?
Strategy sessions and editorial audits work well remotely. Newsroom consulting and workshops deliver the best results in person, as they involve observing workflow, interacting with team members and facilitating group exercises. For organizations outside the Greater Toronto Area, we can arrange travel for on-site work, with travel costs quoted separately.
How do you handle confidential organizational information?
All consulting engagements are governed by a confidentiality agreement. We do not share your internal data, editorial plans, audience metrics or strategic discussions with anyone outside our team. Audit reports and consulting deliverables are your property. We do not publish case studies or reference client names without explicit written permission.
What preparation is needed before a strategy session?
Share any relevant background materials, published content, audience data and a brief description of the challenge you want to discuss. We review these before the session so our two hours together are spent problem-solving rather than information gathering. If you have specific questions or decision points, list them in advance so we can structure the conversation accordingly.
Do you work with organizations that are not traditional media?
Yes. Many of our consulting clients are non-profits, advocacy organizations, academic institutions and corporations that produce editorial content without being media companies. The editorial principles are the same regardless of the organizational type: accurate information, clear writing, ethical source handling and respect for the audience. We adapt the advice to your context without diluting the standards.
Can a strategy session lead to a larger engagement?
Often it does. The strategy session is a low-commitment way to test whether our approach fits your needs. If the session reveals a need for deeper work, we can scope an audit, consulting engagement or workshop as a follow-up. Each engagement is quoted independently; we do not bundle services to inflate the initial commitment.
How many people can attend a workshop?
Workshops accommodate up to twelve participants. This limit ensures meaningful interaction, individual feedback during exercises and productive group discussion. For larger teams, we can run multiple sessions or design a custom format. The half-day format runs approximately four hours including breaks.
Want editorial advice from working journalists?
Describe your challenge and we will recommend the right consulting format within 48 hours.
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