I am trying to get some feedback on how everyone is doing with the distribution of our first issue. I've been running around town the last few days to a lot of businesses asking about having a stack of Liberty Bell's and I've been getting shot down left and right. The predominant message I've been getting is that it's too politically bias and many of them said that if they are going to considering sponsoring it in the future we need to provide a more diverse collection of opinions. With that, I was thinking for the second issue that we get a decent amount of reader responses and publish ones that don't share ours. It appears that is the only way we will be able to keep the Liberty Bell going, at least from a financial standpoint. I also spoke with the university about getting some money from them for our club and it's currently under review, I'm pretty sure a couple of us will have to appear before a panel of administrators at some point to get final confirmation on that.
Andrew B
3.05.2009
Liberty Bell Sponsorships and Distribution
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7 comments:
Hey, I've had a little success, though I haven't been to many places yet.
What kinds of businesses are those that are rejecting it - that are even against us just distributing it there?
I met a wealthy businessman at the fed protest in charlotte that is very simpathetic to our cause. I will see what i can do to to get a donation from him. wish me luck. :)
Another option is to become officially affiliated with Y.A.L. They offer money to start up publications like this. Ben can tell us about this when we meet next.
I went to every apartment management office in town and they all translated that message except for our lovely sponsors, App South. I also approached about a dozen local restaurants and coffee shops, including Macado's, Expresso News, Wings to Go, Joe's Italian Kitchen, Higher Ground and others that i've seen local publications in. The irony of this tale is that in almost all these places, they have stacks of the Appalachian and Watauga Democrat on display and yet, we're waayyyy to politically bias..
Ha! What inconsistency. Espresso News told you no?!? I also went there (I think the week before last) and they told me yes. Granted, they didn't offer a place of much prominence -they said we could stack it under the table where the cream/sugar/etc is kept- but it was an affirmative, so I think we should take them at that word. ;)
I also got a yes from Earth Fare, though we would need our own stand, and I have to follow-up with Bare Essentials, Melanies, and Conrads (unless - have you already been there?). I'll do those follow-ups this week and also try some other places that were particularly helpful about advertising the Dragonfly showing. Hmm, I'm not surprised about Macado's - they wouldn't hang a Freedom to Fascism poster in their window, unlike most other restaurants.
I'll let you know if I have any success. Hopefully Boone isn't completely bereft of freedom loving business owners!
So, I went out canvassing today - mostly in the downtown area, and this was the result:
We have definite permission from-
Stick Boy
Green Mother Goods
Capones
Daylight Doughnuts
Boone Bagelry
Black Cat Burrito
Higher Grounds
I am waiting to hear from -
Footsloggers
Our Daily Bread
Mellow Mushroom
And I have to follow up on -
Jimmy Johns
Murpheys
Portofino
Mast General Store
Boone Saloon
Okay, I still have a good number of places on my reference list from AFTF at the Dragonfly, but that was all I was able to get to before I got really hungry, and I couldn't stand to go to all these insanely delicious-looking restaurants on an empty stomach...
I didn't mention to any of these places the idea of advertising, I thought it may be best to leave that to you Andrew B. since you have all the facts and figures. However, the owner of Capones asked about it of his own initiative, so I think he is definitely interested. Either way, if we can get a wide distributorship that may be a good selling point to future advertisers: wide distribution = wide readership = more eyes viewing their advertisement. At least, it sounds good in theory. The wealthy businessman or Y.A.L. is probably more realistic for the initial capital.
At all the places were we got definite affirmations we can choose whether to use a stand or put the stack somewhere around their other stands (like a windowsill). Except at Boone Bagelry - where there is no room for a stand, and at Earth Fare where we have no option but to use at a stand. Everywhere else leaves it to our discretion. After seeing all the various settings in restaurants/coffee shops, I think that having a stand makes a HUGE difference. If there is any way we can get them, it could be a one time investment that would have exponential results. But, I don't know how financially painful it would be. Andrew M., did you ever look into that at Staples? What did you conclude?
Okay, I'm out of town starting early tomorrow morning, but I'll do the follow-ups when I get back (hopefully Tue/Wed) and hit some other places.
Viva La Revolución
thats awesome that you were able to get so many businesses to support the Liberty Bell... As far as future sponsorships go, i will take note of those businesses and be sure to stop by there when we're looking for sponsors.. I'm thinking that we won't pursue anymore this semester since we likely won't have too many for the remainder... I actually went to Black Cat, Boone Bagelry, and Footsloggers when i was making sponsorship rounds earlier this semester and they all turned me down but maybe they'll have a better summer and be willing to sponsor the Liberty Bell in the fall.
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