Small Publishers Idea Lab

Small staffs. Tight margins. Limited resources, but usually unlimited creativity and a practical, think-on-your-feet approach

These are the characteristics of the small-publishing enterprise, an area of the magazine industry that is thriving even in a down economy. Smaller publishers are a special breed, with different challenges from the big players. This workshop, presented by noted media consultant Ralph Monti, is designed to provide fresh context, key insights and the hottest new ideas for you to apply in your business, level the playing field and build up barriers against competitors. This workshop is for smaller, entrepreneurial publishers who are looking for a broader perspective on how to grow and thrive in your niche.

Attend this workshop and you’ll learn:

- Creative cost-control techniques
- Strategies for making circulation profitable
- How to create a sophisticated marketing image and campaign to support sales and circulation
- How to do more with less
- The sales approaches that deliver measurable results
- How to integrate e-media with print to make the whole more than the sum of the parts
- Where to invest for growth

Workshop Leader: Ralph Monti, President, CEO, Special Interest Media, Inc.

Ralph Monti is president/CEO of Special Interest Media, Inc. a full-service, magazine management consulting firm. His 25-year experience in specialty magazine publishing includes launching an international magazine as an entrepreneur, leading the successful turnaround of two consumer magazine companies, and consulting to the world's top magazine publishers. As an entrepreneur and corporate executive, he has successfully launched more than a dozen magazines in the b-to-b and consumer magazine category. Monti also has broad international magazine publishing experience, having published in Europe for many years and has licensed U.S.-based magazines in Europe, South America and Asia.

Association Magazine Workshop

The world of association publishing is fast-changing

There is often a disconnect between the magazine's objectives and the goals of the overall association itself. Challenges exist in how to position the magazine-as a member benefit or standalone entity. The for-profit competition is often perceived as faster, and having more resources. But this is a publishing category that's making significant strides in improving overall quality, competing with for-profit magazines, and on the forefront of cutting-edge innovation when it comes to publishing in print or online. What's more, association magazines have assets that for-profit magazines would love to have: A deep, rich database, an array of in-house market research, and built-in affinity from advertisers and readers. In this workshop, we provide the most effective tools for exploiting these inherent assets.

Attend this workshop and you’ll learn:

- How to build a digital strategy around your brand
- How to manage internal political relationships
- How to make the case for the value to the association of the magazine
- How to analyze staffing needs
- How to use association assets in editorial, sales and sponsorships, and membership development for the benefit of the magazine
- How to leverage and build upon the community assets of the association
- How to harness membership and access to members to create or enhance live-event opportunities
- And more!

Workshop Leader: Ken Hughes, Publisher, Rental Management

Ken Hughes is Vice President of Communications, for the American Rental Association (ARA) in Moline, Illinois, and publisher of Rental Management. A native of the U.K. and a resident here in the Midwest, for over 12 years, he has had extensive experience in publishing, trade show and conventions, worldwide. Ken started his career in the U.K., in advertising sales.