I’m a publisher… April 11, 2008

I have given birth to the best new magazine in Litchfield County “Seasons of the Litchfield Hills”.  I saw the first copies today from the printer.  Yes, I saw the proofs before they went to the printer, stared at the copy for days, had panic attacks over ads and have been worried sick about that typo that I have yet to find…..but seeing it in my hands was magical.

There is nothing like working really hard, dreaming of the end product and then having your dreams come to fruition.  It is truly an amazing thing. The magazine is so “me”. It is all about community, family and friends. I’m not a materialistic person – don’t get me wrong I like having money, but I’ve lived without it and survived. It’s not the end all. I love the fact that our magazine doesn’t talk about doom and gloom – doesn’t focus on  the rich and famous – we are all about the average folk – the happy stuff.

Being a publisher has been a new experience. First of all I had to sell the magazine – I had to cold call again. Not my favorite thing – but I had to do it.  I called people, I went door to door, I emailed – I did just about everything except sit in the middle of town with a sandwich board and say “Buy a 1/2 page please!” It wasn’t easy – we are a new magazine, with no track record. People just had to trust me that they were going to get a return on their investment. Some people bought ads because of me – which is even more pressure!

But, the magazine looks great. I’m incredibly proud of it – and of all the creative people behind it.  It just goes to show, if you really want something bad enough – the sky is the limit. You can accomplish the impossible. Once again, people looked at me like I was crazy when I told them of my latest venture. I smiled, like I always have and said “Failure is simply not an option – the magazine will be great” And it is.

On to Issue 2!! Watch out Oprah!

 

 

Being an expert… April 11, 2008

I’m an expert.  Now that I am an expert, people listen to me, the phone rings off the hook in my office – people  asking me if I am taking on new clients, and I’m asked to speak at conferences and events. Five years ago I dreamed of this moment..alas it has arrived.

 I was on a panel of “experts” at one such event the other night, and on my drive home I said to myself “How did that happen that I am now considered an expert in my field?” But more importantly I discovered that this “expert” thing has been a vital part of my company’s growth.

Here’s how it happened – and if you haven’t yet become an expert in your field, you better get moving.

1. When my company was in its infancy – I joined the Chamber of Commerce and got on every committee they had, I volunteered and got to know every important person in my neck of the woods.  They now all know me, know my company and know what I do.  This was a very important first step

2. I started making a “list” of people I needed to do business with – the one’s that would make a difference in my portfolio.  I made the list – and crossed off those “wish customers” one at a time.

3. I got invovled in the community – in a big way.  Beyond the great feeling I get from giving back to the community and the importance of giving back – the community gives back to me ten fold – maybe even one hundred fold.  I sit on a few Board of Directors, Advisory Committees and more.  Now people in the community know me – average people, elected officials – you name them, they pretty much know me. 

4. I became a public speaker. This was important – more important than I originally thought it would be.  I held a series of seminars on marketing at the local chamber – we sold out the room. It was great!  Yes, I got a few clients out of the deal but the most important thing that became of the seminars is that my title of expert was solidified.  The phones started ringing.

You see, perception is everything. Yes, I am very good at what I do – but unless people view you as the expert, the trusted advisor ( as my friend Ed would say) then you are simply just another vendor. Now this isn’t magic, I had to work very hard,  I spent a lot of sleepless nights and I have to make sure my customers are happy – but that’s what you should do when you own a company.

Confidence sells.  I’m not saying become an egomaniac – but be self assured.  Be the expert, and watch your company grow, and grow, and grow.

CD