Google Adsense

Recently I added Google Ads to my my blog and website. The way it works is that you copy in a set of codes into the website or blog and based on the content Google plants ads on your web page. In my case, the Google ads have a Caribbean theme and a business theme as well. I guess I can understand the business ads, but if most of my readers are from the Caribbean, then there is pointless to have ads promoting Caribbean destinations. I think I am going to ask for some diversity of ads otherwise no one will ever click on them.

Well, maybe I should not complain. For a time there were ads for Maxim (an adult magazine) and homosexual-themed ads. I have since asked Google not to plant adult themed ads nor anything alcohol, tobacco, sexual related. They have not answered but I have not seen them since so hopefully that is a not an issue.

www.caribbeanbusinessdigest.com

How can I help? - A difficult question.

Two prominent members of the Caribbean community here in South Florida asked me within the last two weeks how they can help me in the progress of the Caribbean Business Digest. Both times it caught me off guard. On a third occasion I came across a chamber president that wanted to have the magazine distributed to the chamber members. But a simple as the request was I did not quite know how to proceed. Should I push for subscription from the chamber members? Or should I give them free? Maybe I should offer the magazines at a reduced rate or allot a certain amount for free and additional ones as subscriptions. I think I will opt for the latter option in this case. It may mean that there would be no subscribers in the end but we will see what the chamber president in question has to say.

As far as the two community members are concerned, I believe that the best way they can help is advice on the course of the magazine as well as help in promoting it. So in the morning I will send an email to both asking what direction they would like to see from the publication. Additionally I will ask that they promote the magazine within their circles and offer suggestions on how they can do so.

Even more than getting advertising dollars from these two individuals who are both small business owners, this publicity will be miles more valuable and will add credibility too.

GCACC monthly business meeting update

The Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) had back to back events this week but I could only attend one. I had to skip the annual job fair due to a very important meeting that was arranged prior to learning of the job fair. But I made the monthly business meeting where the Florida Memorial University Mobile Economic Unit was visiting. The FMU Unit is a mobile office that caters to business owners and potential entrepreneurs. Basically they converted a 18 wheeler in to an office and drive to prearranged locations and encourage people to come in for help with business advice, planning and consultation. That is a wonderful program that will serve to help dozens of small businesses who can't go to the offices due to having to run their businesses. I am considering including them in a future issue.

The most promising aspect though was learning that the GCACC wants to incorporate in its program a newsletter that will feature one member each month. The current president has asked if we could sit down and hammer out an agreement that would see me produce the newsletter. That would be awesome as it would lend some credibility to the CBD and exposure as well. I have no problems writing the content (or farming it out) despite the added work load but it would be worth it. I am therefore putting together a proposal for this well in advance of us meeting to iron this out. I hope that the Board will approve this and hopefully the first issue of the newsletter will be in May. That would be ideal as it would precede the June CBD issue. This could be the biggest thing yet. Wish me luck!

Week in Review

This past week has seen a flurry of activity. It started with an announcement at a local event that was totally off script even after I took the time to painstakingly write the copy of the announcement. The speaker in his infinite wisdom decided to improvise and left out some rather important information. Well, the old adage that no publicity is bad publicity may be true.......... I did get a few responses for subscription which is good. That will result in some additional revenue.

My follow up call with the law firm manager referred to in a prior post declined to advertise in the upcoming issue but was very positive in his assessment. He did however point out that he would like to consider future advertising but would like to see the product improve a little bit more. He did point to areas for improvement and that was well taken. Among the things to work on is the layout and sharpness of the pictures and the type of paper used. He thought the publication would have more of a magazine feel if the paper was a little less heavy.

The rest of the week saw a promise for advertising to be finalised in the upcoming week and ended with a meeting of my favorite networking group the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce. That meeting will be addressed in next blog entry.

Muna on The Apprentice

I found this article on another interesting Caribbean blog concerning Muna (pictured with her father) on The Apprentice. This is an interview done by the Gleaner with her concerning her experience and offers some insight into this fabulous contestant. Though she didn't win I totally enjoyed her on this show. Click here to view the article.

Harsher Criticisms

Well, with the good feedback come the bad. I should not say bad, not in this case anyway. I communicated with a manager of the Wright Muir PA law firm down in the Broward area today and came in for some harsh criticisms. Though harsh, it was constructive. But on some level it was a bitter pill. I have to learn to keep an even steady attitude and not rise and fall with the positive and negative comments that I receive. That is easier said than done. I suppose it comes with the territory.

Inasmuch as the comments seemed a bit harsh, I had to admit that there was truth to it. On top of which, the manager was willing to talk about improvements rather than tearing down. And so, I have a follow up call with him on Monday. Harsh criticisms or not, I am looking forward to the follow up call because I think it will help in the development of the magazine.

Among the criticisms was the fact that the layout needed to be improved upon. A little bit sharper graphics and design was another area that was mentioned and the type of paper used. But, the positive was that the content was good. So he was comfortable with what the magazine is about. Now I just need to get the packaging improved.

Even though I agree with the assessment above, I can't help but chuckle at the fact that different eyes yield different perspectives. A couple blog entries ago I wrote about the positive comments that I received from several people that I mailed the magazine to. Yet the same magazine elicited a slightly different response. As far as I am concerned, I will take all the criticisms in a positive light and try to incorporate them in the next issue. After all, it is a learning process.

Magazine feedback

From time to time, I speak with someone about the magazine and they say something that makes me feel good, makes me feel like I am doing something valuable and makes me feel as if I am doing something worthwile. The accountant/realtor I referred to in the prior blog entry told me that he was impressed with the magazine and the layout, color and content. And numerous other people expressed similar sentiments about how the magazine could evolve in a valuable tool.

But the most warming compliment that I have received thus far is from one of the owners of Netspeak Florida that was featured in the latest issue. David McDowell was very impressed with the piece that was done on Netspeak and felt that it accurately represented the services that Netspeak provided. He thought that the piece was one of the best write ups about Netspeak thus far. Now, that felt good. The underlying tenor of the magazine is to allow the business owners to tell their stories. So while he was happy with the end product, we really only printed what he told us. In any event, the writer, Teshie Jones did do a wonderful.

David mentioned that in the future if he had any need for some writing talent he will keep me in mind. And I was happy to hear that. After all, the magazine is trying to position itself to be a resource for all businesses. He also mentioned that he sent a copy to the Cable & Wireless managers (Netspeak is a C&W product I beleive). I hope that will give me some needed exposure. I will sit tight and see if anything can develop from there. In the meantime I promised David I would send him the article so that he can pass it on to people who want him to explain his product. His response: Be sure to put the magazine credits so readers will know where the article came from.

Now that is reciprocity at its best and one hand washing the other.

Speaking of Netspeak, I read that Verizon is suing Vonage over the VOIP patents. Netspeak and Vonage do offer the same type of service to some extent. If Vonage is hampered, that could open up some more opportunities for Netspeak, maybe in areas they hadn't thought of before. Hmm I will keep my eye on this to see what develops.

Advertising projections

Lately, I have heard the R word being tossed around - Recession. With the housing market the way it is and the prices of houses being driven down by the excess supply of houses in the market that puts a lot of pressure on numerous sections of the economy. Now, I am bringing this up because a few weeks ago an accountant and realtor who runs his own business told me that times are tight right now - across the board. From the various networking events that I have attended, I noticed that there is a disproportionate amount of attorneys and real estate professionals within our community. So, with the real estate market the way it is, I am concerned that the purse strings may be tightened up. But, the up side may be that they are looking for new way to advertise their services. But with the magazine being new, it is understandable that their will be some hesitation. From my point of view that just means that I may have to work twice as hard to get them in my corner.

That same realtor/accountant told me that he loved the magazine and that I should now be looking to expand. He promised support where possible but as he pointed out times are tight.

One year old Caribbean Business Digest.

It has been a year since the Caribbean Business Digest was born. Actually, if my memory serves me right, the idea was borne in February but the first time I went public with it was in April 2006. That was at the banquest that honored Jamaican entreprenuers at the Sheraton in Ft Lauderdale. That day, I brought media kits that I had printed up at Kinko's due to the fact I had heard about the banquet late. And while there, I realized that there was a market for a magazine like the Caribbean Business Digest. With a year and three issues under my belt, there is still much to be done. This is the make or break year I believe but again there is good feedback on the magazine.