Last week was delivery week for the October magazine. Between Dave and I we delivered over 9,000 books in one day. We do alot of traveling throughout the month, but it's pretty hurried during the delivery process. It's not too hurried though to enjoy chatting with our family of advertisers along the way. I'm constantly saying 'it takes a village' to get things done - and it definitely takes a village to publish All Things Country Magazine each month. We literally couldn't do it without our advertisers and the many friends and relatives that also take the magazine around with them to other locations.
We really do count our many advertisers and friends along the way as family. We care about your business, whether you've had a good or bad month. It seems way too many people are having bad months now. We lost three 'family' members this past month with the closing of Pizza Palace, Conrad Motors and South Irvine Market. Sure, it hurts losing them as advertisers, but we also feel for them as people who can no longer survive the struggles of running a locally-owned small business.
There are many times that the Dave person and I consider whether to continue on - in both of our businesses. There are so many avenues for advertising out there, and it seems like many of them use ATC to sell their ads. I know this because business owners have told me. "Such and such came in last week with a copy of your magazine, wanting me to buy an ad with them." We hear it every month. But, there is a difference when you take out an ad with us. We continue to push your business in all aspects of our lives.
When we have get-togethers at the farm, your brochures and business cars are displayed. During our travels we recommend our advertisers to other business owners. Because we care. If your business doesn't do well, our business doesn't do well. Dave and I are true believers in shopping locally. With small, locally owned businesses. Where you know the owner. Kind of like us when we deliver. The owner of the business is most often delivering you your copies of the magazine. And I appreciate each and every hug I get each month too!
I also try to share your updates on our Facebook page - and will even include your events in my weekly emails. It's a full circle type of thing. I'm helping you out as you are helping me out.
Our November book is going to be full of recipes from our readers. It's a great edition, one that is saved by most everyone! So if you are considering an ad with us, this is the best one of the year to try us out. And you too can become one of our family.
Have a Blessed Monday everyone. I'll try to keep this blog going on a more regular basis!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Well, I'm a bust at blogging
I have come to the conclusion that I'm not a good blogger. I am just too busy at times to remember to do it. So I procrastinate, which is entirely the wrong thing to do when you get behind. And this time I've procrastinated since March! Oh my. I should be fired, except I'm the person that would fire me.
Where does the time go? This time of year, it goes to gardening I suppose. It seems like Dave and I are outside later and later each evening. By the time we get in the house and grab something to eat, it's bedtime. And eating before bed is not good either. It tends to mess with your sleep! At least it does mine.
The June magazine came out a bit late this month and we are doing what we can to prevent that from happening again. When we switched to the new printers we had to make a sacrifice. You see, they were already booked the entire last week of the month. Which means we can't print until the first week of the month - which means our book doesn't come out until about the 10th of each month. We have to take the good with the bad - and I'd rather have an awesome looking book. Young's Publishing does a wonderful job of printing our book and I just can't switch back to lower quality just to allow for earlier printing. So, for those advertisers and sponsors that are disappointed, please understand that I have to take the good with the bad.
July's magazine is already in the works. I'm through with procrastination. We'll be printing it on July 2nd and it will be delivered by July 7th. It would be delivered a day earlier, but the July 4th holiday falls right on the day we should be getting the book back. So we will be out in full force on July 5th delivering to all of the great advertisers that support us each month.
Our June book was a tough month. Most people advertised in the Estill County Fair Book - and we can't blame them for that. We do, however, thank the many people that also took out an ad with us. It is most definitely appreciated. We don't have legal advertising sales to fall back on, nor do we have other publications like some of our competition. We have one publication, that comes out once a month. Without our advertisers we wouldn't have a book - and without advertisers we find it rather hard to eat at times. Thank goodness we grow most of our own food.
I talked with several advertisers last month that took out ads in other publications too. One such publication was out of Cincinnati, Ohio. I guess I should be honored that their salesmen took my publication around to our dedicated advertisers and asked for ads. But, I'm not honored. They are just messing with my small, locally owned business! I've never been one to take another publication around and hit their advertisers. I guess I should, huh?
When you advertise with All Things Country Magazine, rest assured that you are helping out a small business. A locally-owned business. With one full-time employee that hasn't been paid in months. Yes, times are tough. For everyone. That's why my appreciation to those who support us is unwavering. This one employee couldn't possibly publish this magazine without the help of my dear husband Dave and my sister Roben. It takes a village, right? Well, it takes my whole family to help get this magazine out and I am forever grateful to them.
So, as I sit here and ponder what to include in our next edition, please know how thankful I am for every advertiser, subscriber and reader that comes in contact with All Things Country Magazine. And I'll keep publishing it as long as I can - as long as all of you keep supporting my dream too! Have a great day. Pam
Where does the time go? This time of year, it goes to gardening I suppose. It seems like Dave and I are outside later and later each evening. By the time we get in the house and grab something to eat, it's bedtime. And eating before bed is not good either. It tends to mess with your sleep! At least it does mine.
The June magazine came out a bit late this month and we are doing what we can to prevent that from happening again. When we switched to the new printers we had to make a sacrifice. You see, they were already booked the entire last week of the month. Which means we can't print until the first week of the month - which means our book doesn't come out until about the 10th of each month. We have to take the good with the bad - and I'd rather have an awesome looking book. Young's Publishing does a wonderful job of printing our book and I just can't switch back to lower quality just to allow for earlier printing. So, for those advertisers and sponsors that are disappointed, please understand that I have to take the good with the bad.
July's magazine is already in the works. I'm through with procrastination. We'll be printing it on July 2nd and it will be delivered by July 7th. It would be delivered a day earlier, but the July 4th holiday falls right on the day we should be getting the book back. So we will be out in full force on July 5th delivering to all of the great advertisers that support us each month.
Our June book was a tough month. Most people advertised in the Estill County Fair Book - and we can't blame them for that. We do, however, thank the many people that also took out an ad with us. It is most definitely appreciated. We don't have legal advertising sales to fall back on, nor do we have other publications like some of our competition. We have one publication, that comes out once a month. Without our advertisers we wouldn't have a book - and without advertisers we find it rather hard to eat at times. Thank goodness we grow most of our own food.
I talked with several advertisers last month that took out ads in other publications too. One such publication was out of Cincinnati, Ohio. I guess I should be honored that their salesmen took my publication around to our dedicated advertisers and asked for ads. But, I'm not honored. They are just messing with my small, locally owned business! I've never been one to take another publication around and hit their advertisers. I guess I should, huh?
When you advertise with All Things Country Magazine, rest assured that you are helping out a small business. A locally-owned business. With one full-time employee that hasn't been paid in months. Yes, times are tough. For everyone. That's why my appreciation to those who support us is unwavering. This one employee couldn't possibly publish this magazine without the help of my dear husband Dave and my sister Roben. It takes a village, right? Well, it takes my whole family to help get this magazine out and I am forever grateful to them.
So, as I sit here and ponder what to include in our next edition, please know how thankful I am for every advertiser, subscriber and reader that comes in contact with All Things Country Magazine. And I'll keep publishing it as long as I can - as long as all of you keep supporting my dream too! Have a great day. Pam
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Blanket, Bedding and Dishcloth Drive
Yes, I'm still tore up about the damages I saw last week during my travels. Since I've been through my share of natural disasters, I somewhat understand what all these people are dealing with each day since the tornadoes hit. Day to day life has changed for so many people in our great state - and many states around us too.
I heard my share of horror stories last week too, dealing with the recovery process. Good people with donations or services that drove down there and were turned away. Truckloads of generators turned away. I've even seen reports that clothing items would be buried at the dump rather than given away. Oh my gosh.
Of course, I do understand the logistics problem - storing all of the donations must be an issue in itself. I have also seen posts of people begging for items. Where does a person start? How do you know what is right?
I pondered for days what I could do. I really want to help, but how? I've donated money through my church to go to the relief funds. I even 'mistakenly' donated to the Red Cross fund, which I doubt is the right thing to do at this point. The money donated to them just goes into their General Fund and that's not right. I would be curious to see how much goes to tornado victims out of that fund. It didn't work during Katrina, I doubt it will work here.
Since I'm a fiber arts fanatic, I have decided that I can make things to give to them. Like dishcloths. Who doesn't love a homemade dish cloth? And I have friends who knit, quilt and crochet. I keep thinking of all the kidlets down in that area that lost their blankets. So, I'll be hitting up everyone I know in the next three weeks asking for donations of items. I figure that in about three or four weeks, these folks will have a better grasp on their lives. Right now, many don't even have homes. So bedding isn't a direct need. But it will be.
You might wonder what you can do if you aren't a knitter or crocheter? Well, I'll also take all sizes of towels, sheets, crib sheets, pillowcases. I plan on collecting just as much as I can and store them at my home until it's time to deliver them. I've already sent out emails to several of our readers who are going to direct me where donations need to go in their towns.
So, at least I'll be doing something. And I hope you'll join in with me. God Bless you all......
I heard my share of horror stories last week too, dealing with the recovery process. Good people with donations or services that drove down there and were turned away. Truckloads of generators turned away. I've even seen reports that clothing items would be buried at the dump rather than given away. Oh my gosh.
Of course, I do understand the logistics problem - storing all of the donations must be an issue in itself. I have also seen posts of people begging for items. Where does a person start? How do you know what is right?
I pondered for days what I could do. I really want to help, but how? I've donated money through my church to go to the relief funds. I even 'mistakenly' donated to the Red Cross fund, which I doubt is the right thing to do at this point. The money donated to them just goes into their General Fund and that's not right. I would be curious to see how much goes to tornado victims out of that fund. It didn't work during Katrina, I doubt it will work here.
Since I'm a fiber arts fanatic, I have decided that I can make things to give to them. Like dishcloths. Who doesn't love a homemade dish cloth? And I have friends who knit, quilt and crochet. I keep thinking of all the kidlets down in that area that lost their blankets. So, I'll be hitting up everyone I know in the next three weeks asking for donations of items. I figure that in about three or four weeks, these folks will have a better grasp on their lives. Right now, many don't even have homes. So bedding isn't a direct need. But it will be.
You might wonder what you can do if you aren't a knitter or crocheter? Well, I'll also take all sizes of towels, sheets, crib sheets, pillowcases. I plan on collecting just as much as I can and store them at my home until it's time to deliver them. I've already sent out emails to several of our readers who are going to direct me where donations need to go in their towns.
So, at least I'll be doing something. And I hope you'll join in with me. God Bless you all......
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Traveling through the destruction
I have spent the past three days driving hundreds of miles delivering All Things Country Magazine. It's a great opportunity to catch up with our advertisers when we aren't trying to sell them something. Everyone is happy to see you, they don't dread it. That is how most months go at least. That hasn't been the case this month.
Now, don't get me wrong. I have enjoyed seeing everyone. It's just the other sights I have seen are heartbreaking. It's good that the people of Kentucky are resilient because that is what it's going to take. Everyone working together to help put these areas back together.
My first day of delivery takes me from Winchester to Olive Hill, and areas in between the two. My sister Roben always goes with me during this trip, so she also got to see some of the devastation. I really didn't think we'd see much since we weren't going southeast at all. Boy, was I wrong.
We took the exit off of Interstate 64 that goes towards Salt Lick and the Cave Run area. We leave magazines at the Kentucky Market Pavilion at that exit. After leaving there, we decided to turn left to see what all the trucks were doing up the road. It was then that we noticed the old Boot Store building across the road. The roof was gone, for the most part at least. Once we started looking around we saw another house with no roof. There was a crew on top fixing it.
And insulation! It was everywhere. In the trees, in the fields. Stuck to signs. Trees were literally spun out of the ground and were laying beside the roads. The trucks we saw? Well, they were still clearing the roadway of trees that had been pulled up by the roots. This was 5 days after the tornadoes had hit. And I hadn't even heard there was damage there!
Between that exit and the Salt Lick area I imagine we saw at least 10 barns or buildings of some type laying in rubble. Lots of roofs gone. And even more insulation. It is blown everywhere. I had the camera with me too. But I just couldn't stop and take pictures. It is still too heartbreaking to record for me. I'd rather stop when the rebuilding process is going on I guess.
I have continued to see destruction each day. The Campton area was hit pretty hard - with hail! The houses are just dotted with hail damage. At least this destruction is fixable. In many cases fixable isn't an option. Yesterday, I saw the destruction along I-75 near the East Bernstadt community in Laurel County. Words just don't do justice to it. The people just standing there, staring at the piles of lumber. Again, I couldn't pick up the camera for that.
I have also heard lots of stories each day. Most of them disturbing. Like generators being turned away from the West Liberty area. Or a local Cattlemen group being turned away - from serving meals to workers! And that is all I am hearing about. West Liberty. And I feel for everyone there. If supplies and equipment are being turned away, the residents aren't getting the help they should be getting.
Who's in control down there? Just who is turning them away? The Red Cross is one report I've heard. They don't want supplies or anything else. Just money. Yes, I'm irritated with this. And I've given to the Red Cross, don't get me wrong. But I also think alot of good, caring people are contributing to the Red Cross fund and I'll be curious to see how much of this money actually gets into the hands of tornado victims.
And it's not just West Liberty that needs help. West Liberty just needs the most help. There is Salyersville, parts of Johnson County, Boone County, Bath County, Laurel County. Schools are gone, homes and businesses are gone. And you can't tell me that there isn't an immediate need for things. Not just money. These people don't need money right now, they need shoes and something to eat. They need to know we all care.
I will be out with my camera soon. I've got one more day of delivering the magazine and tomorrow I plan on taking off for the West Liberty and Salyersville area. It's the reporter in me........
And I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. But I'm going to do something.
Have a blessed day everyone. And keep all the storm victims in your prayers. Not just in Kentucky, but in the other six states that received damage too.
Pam
Now, don't get me wrong. I have enjoyed seeing everyone. It's just the other sights I have seen are heartbreaking. It's good that the people of Kentucky are resilient because that is what it's going to take. Everyone working together to help put these areas back together.
My first day of delivery takes me from Winchester to Olive Hill, and areas in between the two. My sister Roben always goes with me during this trip, so she also got to see some of the devastation. I really didn't think we'd see much since we weren't going southeast at all. Boy, was I wrong.
We took the exit off of Interstate 64 that goes towards Salt Lick and the Cave Run area. We leave magazines at the Kentucky Market Pavilion at that exit. After leaving there, we decided to turn left to see what all the trucks were doing up the road. It was then that we noticed the old Boot Store building across the road. The roof was gone, for the most part at least. Once we started looking around we saw another house with no roof. There was a crew on top fixing it.
And insulation! It was everywhere. In the trees, in the fields. Stuck to signs. Trees were literally spun out of the ground and were laying beside the roads. The trucks we saw? Well, they were still clearing the roadway of trees that had been pulled up by the roots. This was 5 days after the tornadoes had hit. And I hadn't even heard there was damage there!
Between that exit and the Salt Lick area I imagine we saw at least 10 barns or buildings of some type laying in rubble. Lots of roofs gone. And even more insulation. It is blown everywhere. I had the camera with me too. But I just couldn't stop and take pictures. It is still too heartbreaking to record for me. I'd rather stop when the rebuilding process is going on I guess.
I have continued to see destruction each day. The Campton area was hit pretty hard - with hail! The houses are just dotted with hail damage. At least this destruction is fixable. In many cases fixable isn't an option. Yesterday, I saw the destruction along I-75 near the East Bernstadt community in Laurel County. Words just don't do justice to it. The people just standing there, staring at the piles of lumber. Again, I couldn't pick up the camera for that.
I have also heard lots of stories each day. Most of them disturbing. Like generators being turned away from the West Liberty area. Or a local Cattlemen group being turned away - from serving meals to workers! And that is all I am hearing about. West Liberty. And I feel for everyone there. If supplies and equipment are being turned away, the residents aren't getting the help they should be getting.
Who's in control down there? Just who is turning them away? The Red Cross is one report I've heard. They don't want supplies or anything else. Just money. Yes, I'm irritated with this. And I've given to the Red Cross, don't get me wrong. But I also think alot of good, caring people are contributing to the Red Cross fund and I'll be curious to see how much of this money actually gets into the hands of tornado victims.
And it's not just West Liberty that needs help. West Liberty just needs the most help. There is Salyersville, parts of Johnson County, Boone County, Bath County, Laurel County. Schools are gone, homes and businesses are gone. And you can't tell me that there isn't an immediate need for things. Not just money. These people don't need money right now, they need shoes and something to eat. They need to know we all care.
I will be out with my camera soon. I've got one more day of delivering the magazine and tomorrow I plan on taking off for the West Liberty and Salyersville area. It's the reporter in me........
And I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. But I'm going to do something.
Have a blessed day everyone. And keep all the storm victims in your prayers. Not just in Kentucky, but in the other six states that received damage too.
Pam
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Some ads aren't welcome
It's hard to say it, but there are some ads that are just not welcome in All Things Country Magazine. With the economy the way it is, and the lack of ad sales during the past two months you really wouldn't think you'd hear that from a publisher. But you will from me. And I guess that might just be my downfall. But, hey ... it's my book and I can make that decision.
There aren't too many things in life that you really have a choice in. Thinking back to a recent post about the price of gas is just one example. We wake up every morning wondering what the world will bring us for that day and how much the gas prices have gone up or down. Our paychecks are dictated by the government. Heck .... our schools, our churches, our banks - everything is dictated by somebody, somewhere in the world.
But, my magazine - nope. If I don't want to run your pain pill clinic advertising in my paper - I don't have to. Sure, the money would be nice. Probably big money too. They can afford it. A small business person, they can't afford to advertise. A semi-legal pain clinic - with a sign on the building that says weight loss - they can afford it. Sad, isn't it.
I think about what my readers would think when I accept advertising for the magazine. If I go into a store - and find it's not a business that I can promote with a clear conscience - then I turn around and leave. I have been known to accept liquor store ads, but hey - every once in a while I have a drink. I certainly don't run ads from bootleggers! And I don't mean to offend people by running them, but I'm not telling my readers to drink if they don't want to.
Running this magazine is tricky business. I have certainly found that out over the years. This magazine rules my life, it really does. It's like my baby. I care about it. I worry about it. Every single page means something to me - and I absolutely hate it if I have an advertiser that doesn't like their ad. I take it personally, because I design nearly every ad in the magazine too. I design every page. I type up every story - well the ones that are sent in. If they are emailed in, I get a reprieve :-)
So, when you are reading All Things Country every month, know that you are appreciated. By me, at least. I appreciate each and every comment, each and every ad placed with us, each and every poem written about us or for our book. I appreciate each of you that take the magazine with you on your trips - the pictures are awesome.
Spring is just around the corner, and I'm sure ad sales will pick up. And rest assured, you'll never see an ad for some shady business in my book. No matter how bad I want to sell an ad. And if you are in a business that you think would be a good fit with All Things Country, please leave them a copy and recommend us. I'd appreciate that also :-).
Have a great day everyone! Blessings to you and your family.
Pam
There aren't too many things in life that you really have a choice in. Thinking back to a recent post about the price of gas is just one example. We wake up every morning wondering what the world will bring us for that day and how much the gas prices have gone up or down. Our paychecks are dictated by the government. Heck .... our schools, our churches, our banks - everything is dictated by somebody, somewhere in the world.
But, my magazine - nope. If I don't want to run your pain pill clinic advertising in my paper - I don't have to. Sure, the money would be nice. Probably big money too. They can afford it. A small business person, they can't afford to advertise. A semi-legal pain clinic - with a sign on the building that says weight loss - they can afford it. Sad, isn't it.
I think about what my readers would think when I accept advertising for the magazine. If I go into a store - and find it's not a business that I can promote with a clear conscience - then I turn around and leave. I have been known to accept liquor store ads, but hey - every once in a while I have a drink. I certainly don't run ads from bootleggers! And I don't mean to offend people by running them, but I'm not telling my readers to drink if they don't want to.
Running this magazine is tricky business. I have certainly found that out over the years. This magazine rules my life, it really does. It's like my baby. I care about it. I worry about it. Every single page means something to me - and I absolutely hate it if I have an advertiser that doesn't like their ad. I take it personally, because I design nearly every ad in the magazine too. I design every page. I type up every story - well the ones that are sent in. If they are emailed in, I get a reprieve :-)
So, when you are reading All Things Country every month, know that you are appreciated. By me, at least. I appreciate each and every comment, each and every ad placed with us, each and every poem written about us or for our book. I appreciate each of you that take the magazine with you on your trips - the pictures are awesome.
Spring is just around the corner, and I'm sure ad sales will pick up. And rest assured, you'll never see an ad for some shady business in my book. No matter how bad I want to sell an ad. And if you are in a business that you think would be a good fit with All Things Country, please leave them a copy and recommend us. I'd appreciate that also :-).
Have a great day everyone! Blessings to you and your family.
Pam
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Are my traveling days are about to end?
I have been on the road alot in the past 10 days and will be out and about again tomorrow. Since the Dave person is trying to find employment elsewhere, it's now up to me to get all the ads sold, then come home and build them. Yeah, it's getting tougher to make a living. And not just for us, for everyone. So I won't even begin to complain. We have our health, family and all the other important things. Many in this world don't.
What I will complain about it the rising price of gas. Again. It's ridiculous that our net income each month is determined by how much money we put out to get to work everyday. Some days it might cost you $5.00 in gas, the very next day it might cost you $7.50. And the balance of this equation lies with the powers to be? Not a bit fair is it?
My sister just lost a very dear friend to cancer and her obituary came out today. Reading through it, you realize how much Laurie disliked cars. She rode her bike everywhere. I have heard that the only time she drove her car to work, which was ONCE, she got a ticket. She even rode her bike to her chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It made me wonder just how much money that girl saved in her life by not driving a car everyday! Amazing.
I'm not sure I could get 10,000 copies of All Things Country Magazine delivered in two days to 20 counties riding a bicycle! No, I'll change that. I know I can't. But, if the cost of gas keeps rising, what are we all going to do? Go back to horse and buggies?
I would estimate that I have driven over 1,000 miles this month already - and there are 8 days left in the month. At $4.00 a gallon, that means I've burned up at least $140.00 in gas, not to mention wear and tear on the vehicle. If it goes up to $5.00 a gallon, I'll be spending a minimum of $175.00 on gasoline each month. Gosh, that's alot. And I'm not talking distribution in these numbers. Add those two days to the mix and it's just downright scary to think about how much we pay to deliver a free magazine each month.
The real bummer on all of this is that I haven't brought in any income in all of those miles. I've got several leads that I have to GO BACK to next week. You guessed it, more gas and mileage on the old trusty car. And I've had calls from several people wanting us to run free items for groups. You know, the newspapers does it, why can't we? Well, we don't charge 50¢ per copy for All Things Country. If I did, I could afford to give away free ads. We don't collect income from publishing legal notices. If I did, I could afford to give away several free ads each month. But, that's not the case. Every dime of income at All Things Country comes from us going out daily and pushing the magazine and it's advertising.
The great part of my business, traveling around visiting with people. The bummer part of my business, not being paid to travel around and visit with people. I am in the wrong business I guess. I should be involved in the tourism industry. I see posts from local tourism groups and all the traveling they do. One fellow posts his meals every day, all across the state of Kentucky. Maybe that's why I have NEVER gotten a reply from him regarding our magazine. He's always busy eating!
I could do that too, because as I'm traveling around searching out antique malls and craft stores and the like for advertising, we also have to eat. We've found some great spots to enjoy a meal over the years. Maybe it's time to start my own non-profit. I've been wanting to do a "Community Spirit" type of deal for quite a while anyway. I could even write advertising into the grant and help spread the word through our magazine. Hmmmm.
Well, it's time to get to work. With all the traveling I've been doing, it takes me a whole day just to catch up on office work. Today is that day.
Until next time..... have a blessed day.
Pam
What I will complain about it the rising price of gas. Again. It's ridiculous that our net income each month is determined by how much money we put out to get to work everyday. Some days it might cost you $5.00 in gas, the very next day it might cost you $7.50. And the balance of this equation lies with the powers to be? Not a bit fair is it?
My sister just lost a very dear friend to cancer and her obituary came out today. Reading through it, you realize how much Laurie disliked cars. She rode her bike everywhere. I have heard that the only time she drove her car to work, which was ONCE, she got a ticket. She even rode her bike to her chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It made me wonder just how much money that girl saved in her life by not driving a car everyday! Amazing.
I'm not sure I could get 10,000 copies of All Things Country Magazine delivered in two days to 20 counties riding a bicycle! No, I'll change that. I know I can't. But, if the cost of gas keeps rising, what are we all going to do? Go back to horse and buggies?
I would estimate that I have driven over 1,000 miles this month already - and there are 8 days left in the month. At $4.00 a gallon, that means I've burned up at least $140.00 in gas, not to mention wear and tear on the vehicle. If it goes up to $5.00 a gallon, I'll be spending a minimum of $175.00 on gasoline each month. Gosh, that's alot. And I'm not talking distribution in these numbers. Add those two days to the mix and it's just downright scary to think about how much we pay to deliver a free magazine each month.
The real bummer on all of this is that I haven't brought in any income in all of those miles. I've got several leads that I have to GO BACK to next week. You guessed it, more gas and mileage on the old trusty car. And I've had calls from several people wanting us to run free items for groups. You know, the newspapers does it, why can't we? Well, we don't charge 50¢ per copy for All Things Country. If I did, I could afford to give away free ads. We don't collect income from publishing legal notices. If I did, I could afford to give away several free ads each month. But, that's not the case. Every dime of income at All Things Country comes from us going out daily and pushing the magazine and it's advertising.
The great part of my business, traveling around visiting with people. The bummer part of my business, not being paid to travel around and visit with people. I am in the wrong business I guess. I should be involved in the tourism industry. I see posts from local tourism groups and all the traveling they do. One fellow posts his meals every day, all across the state of Kentucky. Maybe that's why I have NEVER gotten a reply from him regarding our magazine. He's always busy eating!
I could do that too, because as I'm traveling around searching out antique malls and craft stores and the like for advertising, we also have to eat. We've found some great spots to enjoy a meal over the years. Maybe it's time to start my own non-profit. I've been wanting to do a "Community Spirit" type of deal for quite a while anyway. I could even write advertising into the grant and help spread the word through our magazine. Hmmmm.
Well, it's time to get to work. With all the traveling I've been doing, it takes me a whole day just to catch up on office work. Today is that day.
Until next time..... have a blessed day.
Pam
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Delivery day adventures
We are almost done with delivery of the February edition of All Things Country Magazine after picking it up from the printers yesterday morning. With the help of my wonderful husband and sister, we have completed delivery in Estill, Powell, Lee, Wolfe, Madison, Fayette, Clark, Bath, Rowan, Montgomery and Carter counties. I'm pretty sure I'm leaving out a county or two, but I'm a bit tired tonight :-). We've got eight or nine counties left tomorrow and we'll be done ... for this month anyway.
It's really kind of fun going out to deliver the magazine. Who doesn't like it when the door opens and someone is bringing you something for free? So people are happy to see us! Of course, most of these businesses have ads in the book, so it really isn't free. But, our hope is that they get business off of their ad too, at least enough to pay for it!
It's interesting to hear people say, "Oh, I thought you'd be here today." Or the one we hear the most, "people have been calling to see if it's here yet." It's very gratifying to hear so many people say they like the magazine. It makes it worthwhile. For the most part. We certainly aren't getting rich off of All Things Country, but things are starting to pick up and that's good news too.
Our delivery days are very hectic. We usually pick up the magazine about 7:30 in the morning and load both of our rigs to the very top with them. I deliver part of Winchester, then head for Carter County and leave Uncle Bobby bundles for the Carter, Elliott and Lewis county areas. We've got some great readers in the Eastern part of the state. On my way back towards Winchester, I deliver to businesses in Morehead, Farmers, Cave Run Lake area, Owingsville and Mt. Sterling. I finish up the rest of Winchester before heading back to the farm. I can't do all of Winchester that morning because some businesses aren't open until later on, so I kind of divide it up.
Dave's day includes dropping off bundles at the farm and then delivering all of Estill County. His second day he takes them over to Powell, Wolfe and Lee counties for me, while I head to Lexington for a few stops over there and on to Richmond to deliver Madison County. Whew, lots of miles go on our rigs over two days. Good thing I don't mind driving! It's actually Dave that hates driving, it makes him tired.
We wrap up delivery of the magazine by, again, going in two different directions. One of us will take the southern route, which includes Berea down to the Welcome Center near Jellico, Tennessee - the other, up to Paris, Carlisle, Cynthiana and then up to the Welcome Center near Cincinnati. We kind of switch back and forth on day three, usually depending on the weather.
It's supposed to snow tomorrow, so we'll be out of here early in the morning and hopefully we can both get home before the roads get too bad. I've driven in my share of snow, so it doesn't bother me too much to drive on snowy roads, it's mostly the other drivers around me that make me nervous. Of course, yesterday when I couldn't make it up my Uncle Bobby's hill in Olive Hill, now that wasn't a whole lot of fun. I don't much like backing down a snowy road! And the brakes on these cars nowadays are kind of weird feeling when you are sliding...... enough said!
I do get to meet some mighty interesting people along the way though. Marty, the owner of Lying Lee's Used Cars between Morehead and Olive Hill. Now what a character! And they were one of the most hopping places I'd been to that day. What a bunch, that group. I'll probably never drive by that place again and not at least stop in and say hello! Heck, they'll probably be eating something while I'm there and I'll get lunch too. And to think that I've been driving by there now for six years and never did stop. Come to find out Marty is one of the organizers of Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival, which I've wanted to go to since moving here. And good news .... I walked out of there with tickets :-). So, we'll be there this year! And, better yet.... he's going to sponsor several Abby Tracks prizes before the festival in September, so some of our readers will be able to go too! You can find details about Poppy Mountain in the March book.
Today I had a great visit with Mike Chaney over at the Country Place in Richmond. They have such beautiful stuff in there. If you have never been there you really should plan a visit. They carry a fine line of antiques, pictures, candles, just all kinds of decor and other items. I could literally walk around there for a couple of hours and find stuff I'd love to have in my home. They are going to sponsor an upcoming Abby Tracks prize also.
So, all in all, we've had a great couple of days getting out the magazine. And now, the whole process starts again. I'll be out again Monday picking up ads for the March book. The Dave person thinks he has a job lined up starting Monday, so I've kind of lost my help all of a sudden. I panicked for a minute when I thought about doing all of this myself, but it only lasted a minute or two. I'll be okay. And I'll get to meet that many more people.
Have a great evening everyone! Time for some knitting before bed.
Pam
It's really kind of fun going out to deliver the magazine. Who doesn't like it when the door opens and someone is bringing you something for free? So people are happy to see us! Of course, most of these businesses have ads in the book, so it really isn't free. But, our hope is that they get business off of their ad too, at least enough to pay for it!
It's interesting to hear people say, "Oh, I thought you'd be here today." Or the one we hear the most, "people have been calling to see if it's here yet." It's very gratifying to hear so many people say they like the magazine. It makes it worthwhile. For the most part. We certainly aren't getting rich off of All Things Country, but things are starting to pick up and that's good news too.
Our delivery days are very hectic. We usually pick up the magazine about 7:30 in the morning and load both of our rigs to the very top with them. I deliver part of Winchester, then head for Carter County and leave Uncle Bobby bundles for the Carter, Elliott and Lewis county areas. We've got some great readers in the Eastern part of the state. On my way back towards Winchester, I deliver to businesses in Morehead, Farmers, Cave Run Lake area, Owingsville and Mt. Sterling. I finish up the rest of Winchester before heading back to the farm. I can't do all of Winchester that morning because some businesses aren't open until later on, so I kind of divide it up.
Dave's day includes dropping off bundles at the farm and then delivering all of Estill County. His second day he takes them over to Powell, Wolfe and Lee counties for me, while I head to Lexington for a few stops over there and on to Richmond to deliver Madison County. Whew, lots of miles go on our rigs over two days. Good thing I don't mind driving! It's actually Dave that hates driving, it makes him tired.
We wrap up delivery of the magazine by, again, going in two different directions. One of us will take the southern route, which includes Berea down to the Welcome Center near Jellico, Tennessee - the other, up to Paris, Carlisle, Cynthiana and then up to the Welcome Center near Cincinnati. We kind of switch back and forth on day three, usually depending on the weather.
It's supposed to snow tomorrow, so we'll be out of here early in the morning and hopefully we can both get home before the roads get too bad. I've driven in my share of snow, so it doesn't bother me too much to drive on snowy roads, it's mostly the other drivers around me that make me nervous. Of course, yesterday when I couldn't make it up my Uncle Bobby's hill in Olive Hill, now that wasn't a whole lot of fun. I don't much like backing down a snowy road! And the brakes on these cars nowadays are kind of weird feeling when you are sliding...... enough said!
I do get to meet some mighty interesting people along the way though. Marty, the owner of Lying Lee's Used Cars between Morehead and Olive Hill. Now what a character! And they were one of the most hopping places I'd been to that day. What a bunch, that group. I'll probably never drive by that place again and not at least stop in and say hello! Heck, they'll probably be eating something while I'm there and I'll get lunch too. And to think that I've been driving by there now for six years and never did stop. Come to find out Marty is one of the organizers of Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival, which I've wanted to go to since moving here. And good news .... I walked out of there with tickets :-). So, we'll be there this year! And, better yet.... he's going to sponsor several Abby Tracks prizes before the festival in September, so some of our readers will be able to go too! You can find details about Poppy Mountain in the March book.
Today I had a great visit with Mike Chaney over at the Country Place in Richmond. They have such beautiful stuff in there. If you have never been there you really should plan a visit. They carry a fine line of antiques, pictures, candles, just all kinds of decor and other items. I could literally walk around there for a couple of hours and find stuff I'd love to have in my home. They are going to sponsor an upcoming Abby Tracks prize also.
So, all in all, we've had a great couple of days getting out the magazine. And now, the whole process starts again. I'll be out again Monday picking up ads for the March book. The Dave person thinks he has a job lined up starting Monday, so I've kind of lost my help all of a sudden. I panicked for a minute when I thought about doing all of this myself, but it only lasted a minute or two. I'll be okay. And I'll get to meet that many more people.
Have a great evening everyone! Time for some knitting before bed.
Pam
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