144.6 Million Readers. What If You Had Them?

It's an amazing number to wrap your blogging head around isn't it? What if you actually had 144.6 million readers? (and they are not all sitting at home in front of a monitor - times are quickly changing - they are on the go, anywhere, reading you) Would you do anything differently on your blog? (Things might be moving this way for you...really...so think a minute and let me know your thoughts) Pretend we are sitting around a massive board room table (eating fresh French pastries and Peruvian coffee with rich cream) discussing this potential. (Joni is writing our 'think tank' ideas on the flip chart and she designed the board room....gorgeous isn't it...) How will you feed those 144.6 million readers...every day?

BREAKING NEWS: Full Colour Kindle for Magazines !!!

LOS ANGELES — Five of the nation's largest publishers of newspapers and magazines are teaming up to challenge Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle electronic-book reader with their own technology that would display in color and work on a variety of devices.Time Inc., News Corp., Conde Nast, Hearst Corp., and Meredith Corp., whose magazines include Time, Cosmopolitan and Better Homes and Gardens, announced a joint venture on Tuesday to develop new ways of presenting publications digitally to rival Kindle's gray "electronic ink" technique.

The publishers' answer to the text-oriented Kindle promises to emphasize visuals, retaining the distinctive look of each publication. It also aims to incorporate videos, games and social networking along with a classic magazine layout that can be flipped through with the touch of a finger.

The new standards the publishers are jointly developing would let consumers read the digital publications on some tablet computers, portable electronic readers and smart phones that render color images.

"The genesis of this idea is to build a fully featured kind of immersive e-reading application that can render our content beautifully on those devices that come to market," said John Squires, the venture's interim managing director.

The Kindle has been available since 2007. Electronic books, newspapers and other publications that Amazon sells for the Kindle will only work with that device.

Companies in the joint venture are hoping to break that lock and sell content starting in 2010 using the new standards. Publishers outside the joint venture would be able to adopt them, too.

The new joint venture would allow partners to set prices for their content. It also has plans to develop new advertising formats that are interactive and target an audience that is more engaged than in print.

The media companies are all equal partners in the venture. The companies said their publications reach 144.6 million people altogether.

How To Save A Magazine

We've all witnessed it this past year. We've all shed a tear or two and shrugged our shoulders in complete and utter disbelief. A 'Domino Effect' has hit our beloved shelter magazines like a media pandemic on a rampage. So how can the remaining publications stay afloat; printing our monthly fixes? They get smart. Real smart. They don't fight the paradigm shift. They go with it. Case in point. Canadian House and Home. (business brilliance by Lynda Reeves and Suzanne Dimma) Their strategies are right on trend; an online TV channel - with the pages of the magazine coming to life in HD - slick production values too - and albeit, new ad revenues to boost their bottom line. If I were you...and you know who you are out there...and I'm not you...but...I'm just sayin'.....this is 'How To Save A Magazine'. (You can subscribe to the digital edition of the magazine too!) Be sure to bookmark this new 2.0 shelter magazine TV Channel. It's online. It's FREE and it's as sweet as it comes. Hold on...you're gonna love this: Turn the Canadian House and Home TV channel on HERE. (and if you have a monitor or laptop near the tub, all the better..heavenly..Canadian.)

Bird Feeders and Other Social Media Products

Tweeting is a healthy activity. It's social and it doesn't involve awkward installations of bird feeders, seed, peanuts, squawking blue jays and cute little chickadees. Want to follow me? I'll follow you. Love ya. LPxo

FREE Publicity Given FREELY (Read If You Dare)

My noggin' has been joggin'. Ever since the FTC decided that bloggers are now required to be forthcoming about their 'take' of the pie. (this is an insult and a joke) Are they getting paid to talk about a company - is the post actually an advertisement - have they received complimentary gifts or trips etc.? Truth is - after all my joggin' with my 'noggin' - I'm starting to think - damn it!!!! I need money too and why the hell shouldn't 'we bloggers' get paid to give others (individuals and companies) FREE PR!!!! (This is not a question.) This is a fact. How can bloggers continue to offer wonderful content if they can't afford to keep the blog afloat? (that was a direct question) Isn't it time that bloggers demanded, deserved and were delivered an income from someone, anyone??? I read a book last year by Donald Trump & Bill Zanker called 'Think Big and Kick Ass'. You might like it. Listen to the Sharks or the Dragons. They'd tell you to give up the damn blog and all the time you are spending (wasting) on it - cause you ain't making any damn money with it - it's been 2 years - the only thing that is getting stroked is your ego - wake up and smell the coffee. Truth is, rich people wouldn't do anything 'business' without getting paid. I don't think they'd get out of bed for less than $1000 / day. I for one am getting sick and tired of others getting ahead financially on the backs of 'little ol' bloggers with their little ol' hobby' - bloggers being all so sicky sweet, drooling over others and making them rich. People schmoozing with bloggers to get FREE Publicity. I am damn good at what I do. A company would have to pay me top dollar for the things I do here on my blog. Just my design work on my headers alone, would fetch me $50,000/year at some company/media outlet - then there's my writing and photography and search engine knowledge and media ad placement and connections and people skills and on and on and so on and so on....And don't get me started when bloggers give bloggers 'shit' for having 'ads' on their blog. Can you believe this!!!! We need to eat people!!! I've noticed that the bloggers who are the most successful, are the ones who promote themselves "the most" - they focus on 'them' not 'others' - they publicize their work, their books, their services, their voice. They don't spend (waste) their time writing posts about others. The FTC has a valid point. Maybe the point is, 'Bloggers are worthy of payment. Hello!!!!' Yes we are. It's time people started 'the pay for play' rule. I just realized that we are being used and abused by everybody, big time and we are allowing it to happen. Do you have thick 'shark' skin or not?

Martha Stewart's Daily Routine

Last night I relaxed and went through a box of magazine tear sheets. (do you ever do that?) A few of the pages revealed to me once more the 'extreme self-care' that Martha Stewart practices. It's no wonder she has the vitality and energy. I mean, just look at the woman!!! If you click on the image to enlarge it, you will see that her hair and skin glow and she looks so 'hot'. She is 68 years young!!! I really like how she has lightened her hair with frosty highlights. Here is a recap of her daily routine. (from Martha Stewart Living)

1. Skin Care: Morning and Night, cleanse, exfoliate, treat, moisturize, protect. She has been very open with her favorites and Yonka is the product she continues to rave about. This online shop is really great for 'quality' skin care - DermStore is your one stop shop for all your skin care and cosmetic needs. - you can purchase Yonka there.

2. Home Gym: aerobics, weights, stretching

3. Walking: daily walks and in particular, she loves hiking. (so does Arianna Huffington..she hikes daily too!)

4. Calendar: daily calendar is kept handy and ready on a clipboard - every day!

5. Water: water infused with fruits, cucumber and bottled

6. Morning Juice: 8 ounces of homemade 'green' 'fruit' juice

7. Hair Care: daily wash, condition, weekly glossing treatment

8. Exercise: pilates, yoga, weights

9. Teeth/Body Skincare: 2-3 times daily electric toothbrush, flossing, salt water rinse and mouthwash, moisturize skin.

10. Relaxation: read books on her Kindle, watch movies Netflex, cappuccino

So tell me. What is your daily 'extreme self-care' routine?

Photo Credit: DayLife/GettyImages

I Am Part of The Social Media Revolution: Are You?

I've got chills people! Turn up your speakers and welcome yourself to the future. Via the 'Blogebrity' Beach Bungalow 8 , Co-Founder of Blog Out Loud Events and of 'Skirted Roundtable' fame.

My Writing Fees (Every Writer's Guidelines)

I throw a 'one-two punch' (well maybe a one-two-three punch):
I can also provide photographs and/or illustrations to compliment my written words.
I've written about this before....

Blogging
Weekly* Blog Writer (Mon-Fri) 1 Post/Day $125 ($25/day)
*Limit: I am available for max. 3 different blogs
and/or
$50 - $300 per post

Photography and Illustration (negotiate per job)

General Interest/Consumer Magazines
$1.00 to $2 per word
$500 to $10,000 per article
$400 to $1,500 per column

Trade/Special Interest Magazines
$0.30 to $2 per word
$500 to $4,000 per article
$300 to $1,000 per column

Large Daily Newspapers
$0.30 to $1.00 per word
$250 to $2,500 per article
$330 to $1,250 per column

Smaller Community Newspapers
$0.10 to $0.50 per word
$75 to $1,000 per article
$75 to $500 per column

Online/Web Site Writing
Varies widely; "business" sites pay higher
$1 to $3 per word
$60 to $100 per hour

Advertising Material
Copy/Scripts/News Releases
$350 to $500 per page
$750 to $1,000 per project for brochures
$75 to $150 per hour

Blogging Extras
Free gifts, products, barter
All expense paid trips for posts/blogs
Photography and Illustration
(negotiate per job)

If you would like me to write for you please contact me via email:
Patti Friday
libertypost (at) gmail (dot) com

The Lonny/Liberty Post Connection

Quite an honor and makes me smile. Just the fact that Michelle selected one of my photographs to showcase and include in her 'Lonny' business announcement post takes me to 'that' happy place. Thank you Michelle for being so complimentary of my work. I thought the first issue of Lonny was incredible. To view it on a large, over-sized monitor is magical. (you should find one and try it) Lonny would be fabulous on the Apple Tablet. I am hoping that Lonny features some creative Canadian content too! (I'll do some scouting) The ghost of Marilyn is obviously in my corner. Beautiful.

CanWest Empire Crumbles

Canada's largest media empire is declared insolvent; restructuring of CanWest will lead to biggest sell-off of media assets in Canadian history. No one is safe. (Look at the Canwest brands/companies who have employees crossing their fingers and toes!) In addition to owning the Global Television Network (and the beloved HGTV and Food Network), Canwest is Canada's largest publisher of paid English language daily newspapers and owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests in conventional television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels, and web sites in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. The only security 'out there' is business ownership. Small business ownership. (like HGTV Design Darling, Sarah Richardson) Home-based business ownership? This paradigm shift (all things leading and living on the Internet) is ferocious.

Magazine Slut

You heard it here first. And you have probably thought about it already some time this past recessionary year. The next big thing to collect will be 'magazines'. The old-fashioned kind that you'd tuck in your tote bag or fall asleep with in bed. Take heed. Become a 'Magazine Slut' and down the road your great grandchildren will bless you.

Shocking News x 2

That nobody seems to be commenting on. The biggy is the FTC decision to fine bloggers $11,000.00 if they accept money and/or gifts from people/companies they write about, without letting their readers know!!! The F.T.C. said that beginning on Dec. 1, bloggers who review products must disclose any connection with advertisers, including, in most cases, the receipt of free products and whether or not they were paid in any way by advertisers, as occurs frequently. The second one is Cookie Magazine is closing. Now if I was a young Mom, this would be the mag I'd subsribe to. It's delightful. Taylor Darling and Ms. Ange are going to miss it. Why don't all these magazines just hold off and publish exclusively on the Apple Tablet?

This Just In: Conde Nast Budget Cuts

25% !!! And that's a lot. It is up to the publishers and editors how to reduce their budgets. It is unlikely that prominent editors like Anna Wintour of Vogue or Graydon Carter of Vanity Fair will cancel their town-car service: their magazines sell luxury, and Ms. Wintour’s swiping her 30-day MetroCard and jostling with Times Square commuters would hardly enhance that position. Read more here...

The NEW New York Times Photoblog: LENS

Lens is the photojournalism blog of The New York Times, presenting the finest and most interesting visual and multimedia reporting — photographs, videos and slide shows. A showcase for Times photographers, it also seeks to highlight the best work of other newspapers, magazines and news and picture agencies; in print, in books, in galleries, in museums and on the Web. And this blog is still an infant! It just started on May 15, 2009! Lens blog points readers in the direction of important books, galleries and museum exhibitions. And it draws on The Times’s own pictorial archive, numbering in the millions of images and going back to the early 20th century. In time, the NY Times hopes it will also become the center of a community of readers who are not just interested in photojournalism — in the broadest sense of visually chronicling the world around us — but actively involved in some way or other, whether professionally or informally. You can expect them to ask you for your photos on some topical subject or theme. Longtime readers of The Times may be mildly amused by the idea of a Times photo blog, since it is still possible to recall days, as recently as the 1970s, when there was not a single photograph anywhere on Page 1. But the truth is that photojournalism has been in the Gray Lady’s blood for 95 years. The Mid-Week Pictorial, a rotogravure magazine, was established in 1914 specially to provide ample photographic coverage of the war in Europe that would soon turn into World War I. Lens is a healthy way to start your morning. (over coffee of course)

Cultural Journalism

"A reporter writes when, where, why and how an event happened. Generally speaking we read what a reporter has to say in the daily newspaper. We are told the facts about fires, murders, car accidents, births and deaths. A cultural journalist, on the other hand, explores events within his culture. He or she examines the cultural, societal and community context in which a broad range of things happen. A cultural journalist explores currents within society, and draws conclusions. Cultural Journalism is an examination of ourselves. It is also about traditions: identifying them, writing about them and keeping them alive." - Deborah Hare

"Go out into the community, into the mountains, and find the folklore, the people, the special places and write about them....(and fondle children while you're at it)." - Eliot Wigginton

Sorry. That was snarky to add that 'fondle children' bit, but I was impressed - very impressed with Eliot; the man who coined the term 'Cultural Journalism'...until I found out he liked to molest little boys. Makes me want to become a butcher instead of a Cultural Journalist who has to deal with bad apples from time to time.

Happy Sunday.

Kneeling On The Media Altar

If this magablog was 'real' (not virtual). If Liberty Post was in main stream media, here are the publications/outlets I'd like it to be...aspire to be:

Newspaper: The New York Times

Magazine: Vanity Fair (Look who is on the October 2009 cover!!! It's gorgeous!!!)

TV: CNN

Radio: CBC Radio - my Canadian content - I heart it (click here to listen while you blog/read)

and I just had to give one online example...

Internet: Huffington Post

Here is my current Masthead. (don't laugh it's just me doing everything..so far)

MASTHEAD
Welcome to my Head Office. I am the Blogger: The Writer, Photographer, Illustrator, Art Director, Stylist, Production Director, Copy Girl, Publisher & Editor -in-Chief of this International Lifestyle Magablog. (Picture a staff meeting) I publish my 'Gallery of Goods' (images & ideas) every day, so please come back soon. Est. June 11th, 2007



This all came about; got me thinking - because I got the most astonishing compliment ever! I am so incredibly humbled, but know I have a long, long, long way to go to become the Editor-in-Chief I want to be....



"You amaze me. I think you are one of the most interesting people in the world. I mean that. I love everything your write about - it is always something interesting and usually something I am interested in. Your blog is like a great daily newspaper column - keep plugging at it." - Cote de Texas

Joni, how can I ever thank you enough for this? (I can't afford expensive french antiques...yet) I will sit at your 'design/world media/radio altar'. That's what I'll do....

Other lovely compliments on my sidebar (blushing) thank you...LPxo