Hello Fellow Writers!
Below, I have included a quick letter to a magazine publisher friend.
I thought of three ideas (digest sized niche mags) that might help him sell more magazines.
TIP: If you are writing an Inquiry Letter or First Pitch Letter, reveal some personality! And don't be afraid to reveal "the insane idea" as it shows imagination, and publishers appreciate that.
PROFIT: If possible, show the value to the person receiving the letter. In this case, I went ahead and suggested business sectors that could be potential advertisers.
---------------------
Hi XXX,
It was great to see you at Piedmont Park on Sunday. Thanks for
everything you are doing behind the scenes for this Community and
others.
Below are the initial ideas I pitched to you for other niche
publications where people would advertise their various businesses in
other communities. I start with my craziest idea first! LOL
LONESOME ROAD: Have you ever stopped-in a truck shop and had a
meal? A real brotherhood of buying power exists there. They share
stories and have friends from all over the USA. I think there needs
to be a monthly "reader" Trucking magazine where guys can share their
positive stories about the Open Road. Advertisers would include Truck
stops, eateries along the routes, motels repair garages and such.
HEALTHNUT: In Atlanta there are so many different "green" places
that specialize in everything from healing tonics to chiropractic
medicine. Acupuncturists, wellness centers, doctors, and healthy
eating establishments would enjoy advertising in this monthly guide to
"...all things healthy in Atlanta and beyond."
CHEF LIFE: Where do the chefs of Atlanta go to eat? This would
be a monthly magazine directed at high end restaurant clientel, with
cheaper advertising than Jezebel and Piedmont Review. Think of the
big ATL restaurant chains for advertising, who also want their Chefs
to be interviewed by the press: Fifth Group, Metrotainment etc.
Good luck on everything this week!
Pals,
Ray
VP/Page
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Age of Gall
From Dictionary.com:
Gall (Noun)
1. Impudence, effrontery.
2.Bile, like that of an animal.
3.Something bitter or severe.
4.Rancor, Bitterness of Spirit.
Do you think we live in the Age of Gall?
I have seen some of the craziest stuff this Summer. People who act vindictively without merit or guilt!
What's going on here? Are we witnessing the dissemination of the United States as we know it...inch by inch? The kind, giving feelings seem to have left people...replaced by a cynicism. I am guilty of this at times.
However, this giving away of the Spirit seems to gnaw at me the most. I refuse to be that way. I will not give up, and give away my dreams.
Dreams aren't always clear, either...just like plans.
I have to remind myself: the last 2 years, though hard, have made me prove my survivability and resolve.
I am standing at the Brink of Success, at any time. I just have to keep believing it.
Gall (Noun)
1. Impudence, effrontery.
2.Bile, like that of an animal.
3.Something bitter or severe.
4.Rancor, Bitterness of Spirit.
Do you think we live in the Age of Gall?
I have seen some of the craziest stuff this Summer. People who act vindictively without merit or guilt!
What's going on here? Are we witnessing the dissemination of the United States as we know it...inch by inch? The kind, giving feelings seem to have left people...replaced by a cynicism. I am guilty of this at times.
However, this giving away of the Spirit seems to gnaw at me the most. I refuse to be that way. I will not give up, and give away my dreams.
Dreams aren't always clear, either...just like plans.
I have to remind myself: the last 2 years, though hard, have made me prove my survivability and resolve.
I am standing at the Brink of Success, at any time. I just have to keep believing it.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Letter from an Old Friend with an Unemployed Referral
I just received a letter from a friend from waaaaaaaaaaay back.
This lady and I were on the Overnight Shift at CNN, and would process video coming from Asia until wee hours of starlight. We laughed and talked a lot.
I recently asked her if she remembered any of our deep conversations about Life back then.
If the world was going to be destroyed while everyone around us was sleeping, Marcy & I (and Staff) would bare witness.
She inquired for a friend who was looking for work. I wanted to paste it, but this !@#$%^j*ck*ass machine won't allow it.
I told her to share my information.
There is an article about me below:
-----------------------------------
Ray Macon, AKA artist Ray deMacon (pronounced: day may go) has been painting a lot. Although he hasn't gotten far away from his scribes.
This time it's spring colors and primary madness for several works entitled Graffiti Summer.
There is a mixture of writing in the paintings; with lonely phrases like "Song:Come Monday" "You're really not a good fake crier," and "I'm sorry but we have decided to pass."
Other than that, the color palette is very bright. One of the newest in the Graffiti Summer Series, the yellow and black acrylic "Gimme 5---NO!...don't touch me" took over 60 hours to produce, yet resembles any teenage notebook.
Beware My Faithful Love is a bigger piece. In it, the artist repeats the phrase and symbols of a formula called Plus Time Taps, which is---in affect---a wishful prayer for life extension. The colors are very Monet in palette.
With his I Was Once A Giant of a Man, deMacon feels the madness of the phrase, which encircles a Ralph Lauren Polo ad (with man and canine lounging) from the late 90s. The artist returns the figure to that of a classical Greek. The dog's tongue a bright red, deMacon says this was done because they were keeping a pug for a friend at the time.
The work can be seen in private at Studio deMacon in Midtown, Atlanta. 404-643-8215
This lady and I were on the Overnight Shift at CNN, and would process video coming from Asia until wee hours of starlight. We laughed and talked a lot.
I recently asked her if she remembered any of our deep conversations about Life back then.
If the world was going to be destroyed while everyone around us was sleeping, Marcy & I (and Staff) would bare witness.
She inquired for a friend who was looking for work. I wanted to paste it, but this !@#$%^j*ck*ass machine won't allow it.
I told her to share my information.
There is an article about me below:
-----------------------------------
Ray Macon, AKA artist Ray deMacon (pronounced: day may go) has been painting a lot. Although he hasn't gotten far away from his scribes.
This time it's spring colors and primary madness for several works entitled Graffiti Summer.
There is a mixture of writing in the paintings; with lonely phrases like "Song:Come Monday" "You're really not a good fake crier," and "I'm sorry but we have decided to pass."
Other than that, the color palette is very bright. One of the newest in the Graffiti Summer Series, the yellow and black acrylic "Gimme 5---NO!...don't touch me" took over 60 hours to produce, yet resembles any teenage notebook.
Beware My Faithful Love is a bigger piece. In it, the artist repeats the phrase and symbols of a formula called Plus Time Taps, which is---in affect---a wishful prayer for life extension. The colors are very Monet in palette.
With his I Was Once A Giant of a Man, deMacon feels the madness of the phrase, which encircles a Ralph Lauren Polo ad (with man and canine lounging) from the late 90s. The artist returns the figure to that of a classical Greek. The dog's tongue a bright red, deMacon says this was done because they were keeping a pug for a friend at the time.
The work can be seen in private at Studio deMacon in Midtown, Atlanta. 404-643-8215
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Examiner.com Hello
I'd like to introduce a great resource for you... http://www.examiner.com
On this site you can learn just about everything that a "local" knows about his or her city. There is a list of cities, so if you are going to a new place---consider it a Must Read.
From articles like "Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas for under $20" to "How to add More Fiber to your Diet" each writer gives their best advice, and pulls information from the experts.
I've recently applied to become a columnist for them in their Business Section. Friends, keep pulling for me!
On this site you can learn just about everything that a "local" knows about his or her city. There is a list of cities, so if you are going to a new place---consider it a Must Read.
From articles like "Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas for under $20" to "How to add More Fiber to your Diet" each writer gives their best advice, and pulls information from the experts.
I've recently applied to become a columnist for them in their Business Section. Friends, keep pulling for me!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Time for Healing+a Tip
It's hard to keep a strong chin, and good attitude at times.
I am the worst about that. Though I've long ago gotten over cloudy weather.
When I'm upset sometimes I have to go and "re-set". That might mean to take a shower or a 30 minute power nap.
Some things are hard to shake from your mind. I get so upset about work at times, problems arise in the middle of the night. I begin to think about the problem, and suddenly, I've lost my "sleepy feeling".
From our days at the Unity Church I remembered a saying "...get behind me, ___, J.C. rules my Life." You just fill in the blank with whatever was bothering you, and mentally see it going from your inside forehead screen to the back of your head.
Sometimes I have to do this with my business partner, David. I'll say to myself, "...stop thinking about that problem, send it to the back of the line in your head."
It works, try it.
I find that I can rarely understand what people are thinking, but I surely can control my own thoughts, especially the crazier ones! HA
I am the worst about that. Though I've long ago gotten over cloudy weather.
When I'm upset sometimes I have to go and "re-set". That might mean to take a shower or a 30 minute power nap.
Some things are hard to shake from your mind. I get so upset about work at times, problems arise in the middle of the night. I begin to think about the problem, and suddenly, I've lost my "sleepy feeling".
From our days at the Unity Church I remembered a saying "...get behind me, ___, J.C. rules my Life." You just fill in the blank with whatever was bothering you, and mentally see it going from your inside forehead screen to the back of your head.
Sometimes I have to do this with my business partner, David. I'll say to myself, "...stop thinking about that problem, send it to the back of the line in your head."
It works, try it.
I find that I can rarely understand what people are thinking, but I surely can control my own thoughts, especially the crazier ones! HA
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Refuse to Participate in a Recession Part 2: Who Moved My Cheese?
From a speech given 1/6/2009
I'm Ray Macon, and I Refuse to Participate in a Recession!
Those aren't just words falling off my lips that's a sure sign I'm on the Defensive bench against the Incoming Economy.
Over the next several weeks we will be pulling segments from a speech given by Dr. Ivan Misner on May 15, 2008 "Beating the Recession: Thriving in Times of Economic Uncertainty"
Today: Dr. Spencer Johnson's Who Moved My Cheese?
Did anyone read the book Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Johnson? Can I see a show of hands?
Now how many people were required to read it?
I knew we would have one person. Some companies insisted their employees read this short book.
I checked last night and you can get it on Ebay for $1.24 or pay about $14.00 for it brand new.
I won't go into much of the story, but it is about 4 characters who rely on a stash of cheese, 2 mice and 2 small people. Life is Content and Good for the Four friends; but when the cheese is all gone, the two mice move ahead and look for more cheese. The little folks took this news hard, and one wanders ahead to look for more cheese. The other stays behind scratching his head and wondering why things had changed.
You might remember another book by Dr. Spencer Johnson called The One Minute Manager? I was required to read The One Minute Salesman, a close relative.
In 1982 and for years, little tidbits of Dr. Johnson's book was taught all over the Business World. This included Asia.
In the late 90s while Dr. Johnson was going through a divorce and he learned about a scientific theory: In a Maze, a mouse will never return to the same place twice to look for cheese. Johnson wondered how this theory could be applied to Humans VS Change; especially interested on Change Affect VS the business formula.
So he wrote the story Who Moved My Cheese as a parable of how to deal with change.
In the book, one mouse is determined to forge ahead; and in turn, the other follows. Eventually they find more cheese. Should they go back and tell the others? "No. Let them find it themselves." (the world does work this way)
In December of 2007, my business was very slow. I was determined that this last season, 2008, was not going to be slow. I worked harder, I forged ahead with a different attitude.
Are you on the hunt today? It's easy to get complacent---it's easy to complain about our situations. It's harder to look for cheese.
In fact, like today, I got up early and started business early so I could get to the cheese before all the other printers. I'll find cheese. I always do.
Did someone move your cheese? If so---make it part of your everyday language and say to yourself: I Refuse to Participate in a Recession!
I'm Ray Macon, and I Refuse to Participate in a Recession!
Those aren't just words falling off my lips that's a sure sign I'm on the Defensive bench against the Incoming Economy.
Over the next several weeks we will be pulling segments from a speech given by Dr. Ivan Misner on May 15, 2008 "Beating the Recession: Thriving in Times of Economic Uncertainty"
Today: Dr. Spencer Johnson's Who Moved My Cheese?
Did anyone read the book Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Johnson? Can I see a show of hands?
Now how many people were required to read it?
I knew we would have one person. Some companies insisted their employees read this short book.
I checked last night and you can get it on Ebay for $1.24 or pay about $14.00 for it brand new.
I won't go into much of the story, but it is about 4 characters who rely on a stash of cheese, 2 mice and 2 small people. Life is Content and Good for the Four friends; but when the cheese is all gone, the two mice move ahead and look for more cheese. The little folks took this news hard, and one wanders ahead to look for more cheese. The other stays behind scratching his head and wondering why things had changed.
You might remember another book by Dr. Spencer Johnson called The One Minute Manager? I was required to read The One Minute Salesman, a close relative.
In 1982 and for years, little tidbits of Dr. Johnson's book was taught all over the Business World. This included Asia.
In the late 90s while Dr. Johnson was going through a divorce and he learned about a scientific theory: In a Maze, a mouse will never return to the same place twice to look for cheese. Johnson wondered how this theory could be applied to Humans VS Change; especially interested on Change Affect VS the business formula.
So he wrote the story Who Moved My Cheese as a parable of how to deal with change.
In the book, one mouse is determined to forge ahead; and in turn, the other follows. Eventually they find more cheese. Should they go back and tell the others? "No. Let them find it themselves." (the world does work this way)
In December of 2007, my business was very slow. I was determined that this last season, 2008, was not going to be slow. I worked harder, I forged ahead with a different attitude.
Are you on the hunt today? It's easy to get complacent---it's easy to complain about our situations. It's harder to look for cheese.
In fact, like today, I got up early and started business early so I could get to the cheese before all the other printers. I'll find cheese. I always do.
Did someone move your cheese? If so---make it part of your everyday language and say to yourself: I Refuse to Participate in a Recession!
Refusing to Participate in a Recession pts 3 & 4
from speech given on 1/13/2009
"How to Motivate Referral Sources"
from speech given 1/20/2009
"Visibility---Your Key to Success"
These will be recorded soon.
"How to Motivate Referral Sources"
from speech given 1/20/2009
"Visibility---Your Key to Success"
These will be recorded soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
