1. Start with the territory your firm actually serves
Gaffney is a municipality in Cherokee County, South Carolina. The 2020–2024 ACS five-year population estimate for Gaffney city is 12,596, with a margin of error of 66. That is geographic and population context, not evidence of legal-news demand, competition, search volume, leads or revenue. A news program should therefore begin with the firm’s service territory rather than treating the city estimate as a market forecast. Ask whether coverage should address Gaffney only, Cherokee County more broadly, or a larger South Carolina area the firm expressly serves. A story involving a statewide law may be relevant to a Gaffney practice, while an incident outside the firm’s service area may not be useful simply because it is receiving attention.
Recommended approach
Define the geographic rule before reviewing topics. Separate Gaffney, Cherokee County and South Carolina coverage in the editorial plan, and require each proposed page to explain why the subject matters to the firm’s actual service area. Do not use the Gaffney population figure to justify a volume target or expected result.
