Applying lessons learned so far

In talking with various people in connection with the magazine whether for a story, advertising or just plain networking I have learned some lessons along the way. Two of those lessons came from the September issue with Marlon Hill and Chef Hugh Sinclair. Hill stated that you should always market your business as if it the largest in the world and to position yourself for any expansion and opportunities that may come your way. Sinclair believes that it helps to document your business plans meaning write it down and revise as necessary. That structured approach lends a formal feel to the idea instead of just winging it or “try a ting.” This allows for a better way of evaluating different scenarios. So as a result of thinking about these two bits of advice I decided to revamp and rewrite my plan for the Caribbean Business Digest. This proved to be quite a revelation!

In doing this I was able to more carefully consider options that I tossed out mentally before. Now those previously tossed ideas are coming back and in some cases presenting themselves in a different light. For example, the decision as to whether to have a print or an online magazine has once again brought itself to the forefront. I still feel that within our community there is a market for the print version. But that does not preclude the online version. While I am not ready to fully offer the magazine online as yet, I am however seeing the need for an online presence and will have a website up and running within the next few weeks. (More on the website in an upcoming post). The previous attempt at an online presence was this blog. Now I have the opportunity to use both (in different ways but in tandem with each other) to promote the Caribbean Business Digest.

The website will be used to promote the print version of the magazine and will seek to draw surfers to subscribe to the magazine. This strategy will be used for the short term (6 months or so) and then the question of an online version will be considered once again. I am of the view that an online version would have to be issued monthly at a minimum and since the magazine is currently bi-monthly it may not be feasible to move into that option of the online forum just yet.
However, once the website is up and running, I will have an opportunity to evaluate the online feasibility. More on that so stay tuned.

Request a copy of the latest issue of the Caribbean Business Digest by sending an email to maxwell@caribbeanbusinessdigest.com.