She Works Hard For her Money.....

Grrrrr.....
Why is the concept "I publish a magazine as a business venture" so hard for some of my customers to understand?  Do they really think I do this for some egotistical hobby?  (Yeah, that right...I just love to work this hard just to see my name in print each month.)

As the Editor-in-Chief I get to choose what goes into the publication. That all too important content which holds the ads together and pays the printers is my decision. I have to source it, either write it or have it written, and then edit it...all of it! 76 + pages every month. To help give the magazine varied and interesting content we accept advertorials and 'informational articles' from advertisers, in fact we offer space on a regular basis: You buy a six month ad, we'll try and get you some article space to talk about buying a new home, or flea and tick medicine for dogs...whatever it is you are trying to promote. This is a complimentary extra to the advertising you have already purchased and its a great way to promote your product and to brand you as the local "expert".

Some business owners like to write, and have the educational background and training to produce quite good magazine material. Counselors, medical personnel and educators in particular often submit copy that finds its way into PP & F. Their customers and patients see it, compliment them and their business grows. "My doctor writes a column in that parenting magazine," their customers tell each other.

All is well until I have a month where I have more copy than space...a last minute event comes up that I think is worthy of printing than an article on Thumbsucking for instance. Their monthly contribution to our glorious publication is a few days after copy deadline. So, I bump the complimentary promotions article and run what I think is better content for the magazine. An article on the MDA walk-a-thon coming up in three weeks.Then the abusive emails begin...

Apparently, I don't know how to run my business!  I should giveaway valuable page space because everybody wants to read about 'manipulative personality disorder" (or something like that). The section title they have been given is theirs!  Howe dare I use it for anyone else? They forget that it was my suggestion to write for the magazine and that it's free. Other publications see their articles and call them about advertising and articles. I do not appreciate them enough. I have disappointed their clients. I have inconvenienced them...they are never writing for me again!

But they have forgotten a couple of important things. I have the largest circulation in a 200 mile radius of any publication except the newspaper (and they won't get their rantings published in there.)  My readership is their exact target audience. I edit their sometimes overly wordy and confusing drivel so that their content is interesting and readable. And the most important thing...the articles they have published are possibly the best branding and marketing they can get.

So, by all means take your sand box toys and move on. I will be fine. I have many more businesses asking for space and they are only too eager to get free publicity. People, I need an income just like you do.I don't have a rich grandma, or the luxury of being financially supported by an aging millionaire.  If I wish to live like a princess (and I do, I do...) it will have to come from the sweat of my own brow!

OK, I just had to write it!