Very,veryfew sites can make a name for themselves in the funny fake news format.
Theres basically the Onion, andReductress.
Today were talking to the one with the tagline Womens News.
This Beautiful Woman Wont Shut Up and Take the Fucking Compliment.
They told Lifehacker about running a small business, and how they choose what stories to write.
I never thought writing comedy would involve so much concern for getting sued.
I was working in digital media/production and doing comedy at night, and thats where I met Beth.
Beth:I went to school for illustration in NY and started doing improv at the UCB Theatre.
The idea for Reductress was somewhat inspired by that.
Take us through a recent workday.
Sarah:Okay so Monday we are shooting staff photos for our new podcast, theReductress Minute.
So the tables in our windowless co-working space are moved around a bit so we can do the shoot.
Everything will be Photoshopped to make it look like we are big and rich.
Then Beth and I are going to look through contributor pitches for the week.
Beth:We usually eat lunch at our desk while editing pieces or going through pitches.
Then well comment on the smell or appeal of what each other is eating.
Whats the most surprising thing about running a humor site?
Sarah: That it involves just as much administrative work as any other job.
Beth:I also never thought writing comedy would involve so much concern for getting sued.
What apps, gadgets, or tools cant you live without?
Sarah:Ugh, sorrybut my iPhone.
I used to be an Android user but I went to the dark side.
App-wise, we live and die by Dropbox, Google Drive, andTweetdeck.
Im also a fan ofTrellofor producer-y/project manage-y stuff.
Beth:And for our podcasts we use a couple of mics and aZoom H6recorder.
Whats your workspace setup like?
Sarah:Were in a fishbowl-throw in room in a co-working space.
It has a leaky ceiling and weird lighting, but it still feels very us.
We all work on a Macbook Air because we simply cannot be confined to one space.
Then when we have meetings we swivel our chairs towards the center of the room.
Whats your best shortcut or life hack?
Sarah:Canned response emails.
Beth:We also tag files with the colored dots in our shared Dropbox folder.
That lets us quickly see whos finished editing a piece.
Take us through an interesting, unusual, or finicky process you have in place at work.
Sometimes theres a long debate.
Well also re-word headlines to make that joke as clear and specific as possible.
So sometimes well be coming up with alternate phrasings for a while before were all satisfied.
Rachel is the primary host of the podcast and starts the outline for each episode.
Taylor casts the variety shows we host at The Upright Citizens Brigade in both New York and L.A.
The shows in New York are hosted by Taylor and Eva.
Our L.A. shows are hosted by Rekha Shankar and Janie Stolar.
How do you keep track of what you have to do?
Sarah:I keep an old-fashioned to-do list in a tab on my web app.
Nothing fancy, just tasks organized by priority.
We have like 17 shared Google calendars in addition to that.
How do you recharge or take a break?
Sarah:When were together, we just talk about dumb news, or sing the entirety ofRenttogether.
Whats your favorite side project?
Sarah:Probably our all-staff recording of the musicalRent.
It hasnt happened yet but honestly, it probably will.
Also, collective eating.
What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?
Sarah:I am in the middle of Masha GessensThe Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia.
And yes, I would recommend it!
Beth:I just startedWhy Im No Longer Talking to White People About Race.
So far its really good!
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Sarah:Honestly, the CBD oil guy down the hall.
Whats the best advice youve ever received?
Sarah:Work smart, not hard.
I suck at both of these.
Beth:Fake it til you make it.
Whats a problem youre still trying to solve?
Sarah:How to make money on the internet in a way that isnt porn?
Beth:Yeah or fake news clickbait.
It sometimes feels like you have to have bad motives to make money online.
This interview has been lightly edited, and some links have been added.
Have someone you want to see featured, or questions you think we should ask?
