Good morning everyone. Quite a few people ask me every month why I do what I do. Most comments revolve around 'why do you give it away free?', which amuses me. I guess I should ask these folks how much they would be willing to pay each month, huh?
All kidding aside, I do this magazine for a variety of reasons. I witnessed one of those reasons this morning on the Today Show. Kathy and Hoda showed today's copy of the New York Post on the show. The entire front page is covered with a story about Kim Kardashian and her divorce. Big news, isn't it? It just pains me to see that an entire front page of a newspaper is dedicated to a rich little girl, divorcing her second husband in just days. Who knows, the first marriage probably only lasted days too.
That's what newspapers do. They do whatever they have to on the front page to sell their product. I personally don't care who's getting divorced in this world, that's their business and not mine. I would rather hear about someone doing something good for our world than who's getting divorced. So, our magazine concentrates on only good news. And I'm not trying to bad mouth our local papers or anything else. They do what they have to. They are required to put in courthouse news and cover trials and such. I got my start in publishing at a weekly newspaper, then went on to a daily. But after so many years of publishing sadness and sorrow in people's lives, I decided to do something different.
I didn't come up with the whole idea of a free magazine. I got my inspiration from a little free monthly paper in Northern Idaho called the Country Courier. I'm not even sure she is still publishing it each month, but it was basically along the lines of what we do at All Things Country. I always loved to read the Courier each month, with it's earthy columns and dedication to the smaller businesses of the world.
So, back in 2006, I did the logistics of what it would take to do something like the Country Courier here in Kentucky. Being a graphic artist for so many years and with my newspaper background, I was sure I could do something similar to it. My dad paid for the first printing of the paper back then. We gave away the ads to those that would allow us to run something for their business. Our very first edition was 12 pages on newsprint. We managed to sell enough ads the next month to publish it again, and have been hanging on ever since!
I came up with All Things Country because I love living in the country. I learned so much after moving to Kentucky, about gardening and living in the country. It's not for everyone. But it's for me. So, I just wanted to spread the word about country life - offering stories on gardening, raising herbs, animal care and the like.
This leads me to the second reason I do All Things Country. The many wonderful small businesses in the area - and promoting each of them to the best of my ability. You see, the magazine is paid for by these businesses. Those that have enough faith in us to take out an ad. Small businesses don't have much money. We realize that. And it is really hard to go into a business and ask for them to advertise. We know they don't have much money because we are a small business with not much money either! But, from what I've learned over the years, you've got to advertise. Word of mouth is great advertising, but it only goes so far. Advertising in your local paper is good too, but in these smaller towns - if you think about it - the residents should know you are there and what you offer. The problem is, do the folks in the neighboring counties know about you?
With your ad in All Things Country, we cover many counties in our area. Between 20 and 25 each month. I see folks advertise in the local newspapers because they are cheaper. But if you advertised in the local paper in even 10 counties, how much would that same ad cost? If you figure it out, advertising in ATC is pretty reasonable. We aren't trying to get rich, just spread a little good news and promote small businesses. We particularly appreciate the folks that run an ad each month - even though they don't have anything to sell. They just want to help support the magazine and keep it free.
Heck, I've even received a $10.00 check in the mail once from a reader that just wanted to contribute. How awesome was that?
And the final reason I do All Things Country ..... for all of our readers. I've thought about just publishing my last edition and being done with it. You know, go out and get a 9-5 job like I had for the first 20 or 30 years of my working career. Heck, at least I'd know I have a regular paycheck. But, on the flip side, I love All Things Country. I just couldn't imagine our lives without it. The people we've met along the way, oh my! The friendships we've made. The businesses we've found in our journeys. And all the many readers we meet that tell us thank you.
So, we'll keep on keeping on ..... and hoping that people will continue to keep the faith in us and our magazine. Have a blessed day everyone!
Until next time..... Pam
