Looking ahead to 2007!

It has certainly been a while since I have submitted an entry to this blog. Exactly two months I think. I feel the blog is important to chronicle the development of the Caribbean Business Digest magazine so I will have to be more disciplined in getting an entry in at least once a week. During the 2 month layoff we rang in the New Year so I will use this entry to outline what I aim to accomplish this year with the magazine.

In 2007, I aim to accomplish 3 key things: 1. Establish alliances. 2. Develop a growing subscriber base and 3. Emphasis on marketing.

The alliances that I am talking about here encompass each area of the magazine; writing, printing, design layout to name a few. Already I have identified a few printers that I could work with but have not approached either about an ongoing business arrangement. I aim to address that in the near future. Just as important is obtaining free lance writers for the articles. As has become evident quite quickly, I cannot write the articles and perform all the duties necessary to run the magazine. Instead of being a one-man operation, the aim is to outsource. For this issue coming out in less than 2 weeks, I have worked with a free lance company (Well-Written Words) to get writers for this issue. It has worked out quite well and I enjoy the relationship thus far. For the following issue, I hope to have some agreement in place instead of simply a month to month arrangement. And of course, George Leposky has done good work and he is game for future articles so at least I have the writing assignments covered for this year.

Developing a growing subscriber base and a greater emphasis on marketing go hand in hand. Right now marketing involves word of mouth and networking events. Most people I have spoken to like the idea and talk to their friends, colleagues and clients about it. That is definitely important. But I am hoping to extend the marketing to the internet and maybe a few ad spots on select radio shows. There are a couple of free websites that I can provide a link to the Caribbean Business Digest website and I aim to make good use of those. With greater marketing, the subscriber base will grow, well hopefully. This is vital to the development of the magazine because when I talk to potential advertisers I can say my controlled distribution is such and such an amount. Additionally, I aim to offer the magazine as an internet subscription to those who prefer online distribution instead of print. That would cut down on printing costs as well as postage.

2007 will be the crucial year in deciding how far the magazine will go so undoubtedly there will be a lot of work involved. But I am up for it!

Visit the magazine’s website at http://www.caribbeanbusinessdigest.com/ and place your order today!!