I Might Have Been to a Meetup Before… I’m Not Sure.

July 2, 2009

I live most of my life “out of the loop.”

We don’t watch television, we don’t often go out unless were delivering magazines or on a business call, and while I’m pretty much on top of local news (Central WV and some State), I check national news about once a week, and get the rest of my headlines from twitter. (I have yet to watch a single mainstream media broadcast about the death of ANY celebrity. I know all I need to know from facebook and twitter.)

In fact, I had never heard of a Meetup (not Meet_up) before until someone tweeted that there was going to be on in Charleston, and anyone who was reading was invited.

In the past, I’ve attended “business social hours.” So, I’m guessing that was a kind of Meetup.

And when I finally began organizing a get-together for all the columnists of Two-Lane Livin’, I realized I was actually planning a Meetup.

Many of our columnists have never met.

People bump into each other and make a connection with each other in millions of strange and seemingly uneventful ways. When Frank and I first began really planning Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine, we knew two, maybe three potential columnists that were “seasoned” writers. We knew two or three we knew had something to share and hoped would maybe like to write.

But once you have an idea, it seems that you almost stumble upon possibilities. One of our columnists, I bumped into at the Farmer’s Market. Another wrote me letters when I worked at The Calhoun Chronicle. Another lives just a few miles down the road, but we had never met before. One, I haven’t seen, in person, in years.

In fact, only a few of them know each other. We have columnists from nine different counties, and I can honestly say, they are a group of people that are always on the go. Storytellers, musicians, doctors, gardeners, farmer’s market vendors. Moms, club members, church members, mobile RV repair. All of our columnists have great talents and busy lives of their own.

They all receive my little e-mail newsletters and updates each month urging them to meet their deadlines and telling them what’s going on behind the scenes, and they all turn in their pieces by email each month. (Actually, one actually comes by snail mail, hand written.)

And truth be told, there are a few columnists that I have never met in person. Contact and communication has been by Internet alone.

I Promised Them A Party

With the September 2009 issue, Two-Lane Livin’ begins Volume 3 – our third year in print. Basically, this means that for two years, I’ve been promising my columnists a party. You don’t know how many times since we started that I have thought, “this columnist needs to meet that columnist.”

I originally thought I would invite them all to the farm…. But that would mean a lot of work – for Frank and I. Enough work that I was deterred from getting around to it.

And then, one day, I mentioned this promise to Chuck Itolfe, the owner of The Copper Kettle in Gassaway.

He immediately offered his restaurant, for the day, for our purpose.

And the party was on.

Let’s Make it a Meetup

So, the collection of Two-Lane Livin’ columnists has never before been assembled in one place. I’m not sure if we’ll have 100%, but ‘pert near all of them.

And in their RSVPing, the idea surfaced of meeting the readers. And then, of course, I thought about all the folks who are members of our facebook group, and those who follow my little updates about Two-Lane Life on Twitter, and…

Well, we’re just going to open up our Meetup to the Two-Lane Livin’ world.

You’re invited.

On August 14, at 6 p.m. Two-Lane Livin’ columnists will be waiting to meet you at The Copper Kettle in Gassaway. Many of them will be offering their books, CDs, crafts, plants — whatever their talent — as well.

We’ll be giving away signed issues of Two-Lane Livin’s September 2008 issue (that’s the first edition of the volume we will be ending in August) and we have plans to hold a raffle for something really special.

Meetup, Get Together, Gathering, Party – Whatever You Call It

It’s a family-friendly thing. The Copper Kettle has a kid’s corner, and both indoor and outdoor seating. They do not serve alcohol. Chuck has pork BBQ, baked chicken, steak and more on his menu, and especially for the Two-Lane Livin’ crew, that evening, will also be offering vegetarian lasagna.

There’s a juke box, and an antique piano you are welcome to play, but I don’t think it’s been tuned in ages. The entryway to the bathrooms looks like an outhouse, and the restaurant store front is covered in rough cut wood, softened by bountiful hanging flower baskets. We’ll be hanging out at the end of the main street (named Elk Street, and not Main Street) running through the town.

Stop on by if you can.

For Frank and I, it’s a historic moment.

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Can Social Media Replace Your Central WV Advertising?

June 28, 2009

Throughout the world, social media has become an established marketing venue. But, if you attempt to sell through social media, you could be reported for abuse, spamming, and could be permanently blocked my those you have friended or who follow you.

Because outlets like facebook and twitter are free outlets, some people think there is no cost. But to effectively use these outlets for marketing, you must be strategic, and diligent — costing time, and effort. This time and effort may eventually pay off, if you nurture the relationships you build with your online followers. Like any marketing effort or campaign, your time and effort in social media is a long-term investment.

But does this even apply in Central West Virginia?

Internet Access in Central West Virginia
The most recent census data shows that less than 50% of Central West Virginians have internet access. How many of these have high speed access? A lucky minority. Without high speed internet, managing facebook becomes a test of patience, one that not many pass.

If you limit your marketing efforts to online outlets, you have already cut your possible audience in Central WV by at least 50%.

A Sporadic Audience
On twitter and facebook, your Central WV audience gets even smaller.

Consider, how many facebook friends and twitter followers do you have? Four? Forty? Four thousand? How many are Central West Virginians? Because of the limited high speed access in Central WV, many in the region are just now dabbling on facebook. They’re there to keep up with family and friends, not watch for group or page updates.

At this point, they’ve heard about twitter, but to many, just the name “twitter” implies frivolity. In a culture that values practicality, the chances of folks embracing twitter are as good as the chance of seeing a “Good ole’ boy” in a pink shirt.

Even if they have embraced facebook, how many facebook friends have blocked your status updates? There is no way to tell. You may have facebook friends who are actually ignoring you.

And, if they’ve checked out twitter, how many of your Central WV followers are online, scanning tweets when you post? As new tweets and updates come in, your post slides further and further down the page. In a few minutes, your post could disappear from sight as new tweets and posts come in. Also, they could have the “shush” application. They could also be ignoring your tweets.

Perhaps they are using an application that sorts the tweets they follow. Have you earned the right to be on one of their favorites list? If not, your tweets could be missed.

Besides, studies have shown that only about 30% of those who sign up with twitter stick to it for more than three or four months.

Networking, Not Advertising
Social media is about networking. It’s about building relationships, and it takes constant, consistent effort – just like any other relationship. If, you aren’t putting great effort into your social media relationships, the relationship begins to feel shallow. Interest in your tweets or status wanes.

Are you responding to your followers and friends? Have you taken interest in their posts and tweets? How are you using social media to contribute to their lives and their efforts? If you are merely “lurking” in the background, participating little and speaking up to only throw out a sales pitch, you are not only wasting their time, but yours.

I Do Love Social Media
I am a social media fan. I’ve been on facebook for more than a year, and am nearing a year on twitter. I’ve blogged, off and on, for more than six years. I’ve ‘met’ some fabulous folks, and I learn more from those I follow every day. I have made connections with people in and outside of Central West Virginia I may have otherwise never come in contact with.

I have enjoyed seeing my Central West Virginia neighbors come online and on board with blogging, facebook and twitter. I add all Central West Virginia tweeps to my favorites list, because I’m so happy to learn about my “real life” neighbors online, and I hope to meet them all in person some day. Right now, we are so few.

But for Central West Virginia businesses, Facebook, twitter and blogging have yet to emerge as a strong option for marketing. The day may come when those in our region have access to high speed internet, and come on board to join our online networks. But that is not today, and is not going to happen for some time. Those of us who forge ahead and learn the tool before it is widely accepted will be ahead of the game when that time comes, but that time is not now.

Your Social Media Needs Marketing
In the meantime, your blog, your facebook page, your twitter profile has to be promoted — just like your business. Without knowledge of your social media efforts, without directions to your updates and tweets, social media is nothing more than a billboard on a road that no one drives on.

Until social media becomes an accepted and commonly used medium in our region, Central West Virginia businesses still need to use traditional marketing outlets to promote their businesses AND their social media efforts. I can’t think of a better way to promote both your business and your social media efforts in the region than through advertising in Two-Lane Livin’ magazine.

Not only does Two-Lane Livin’ reach more Central West Virginians than any other print publication in the region, but print media in general has shown to be exceptionally effective in promoting web sites. Your ads in Two-Lane Livin’ can have a three-fold purpose: to market your business or services, to market your online networking efforts and outlets, AND to promote social media in general to the Central West Virginia region.

Some Day, Maybe.
Some day, perhaps, social media will emerge as the “be all, end all” of marketing — even in Central West Virginia. But that day has not yet come. Those who take on the frame of mind that social media can replace their advertising efforts and expenditures are putting the cart ahead of the horse.

In any marketing, it is important to consider who your audience is. And in Central West Virginia, your audience isn’t yet capable of embracing social media. But get started now anyway, and be prepared to have them join us in the future. But don’t abandon your other marketing efforts. To your potential Central West Virginia consumer, it may just seem that your marketing efforts have disappeared.

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What Everyone Should Know About Central WV Publications

June 23, 2009

The West Virginia Press Association Newspaper Directory lists 22 newspapers available within the Two-Lane Livin’ 16 county distribution region. In addition to these Press Association member publications, there is at least one print publication that is not a member, and there are at least three “online newspapers” within the region. In addition, the same 16-county area is served by The Trader’s Guide, a weekly ad bulletin.

So many publications within a region! Why? What’s the deal?

Actually, those numbers are misleading. Let me explain about some of the smaller counties:

(Actually, first, let me do a disclaimer. Most of the circulation numbers are 2006 numbers. One of the reasons deciphering the numbers of local newpapers is so difficult is that they don’t put them out there for the public to see. If you want all their numbers in one place, you must purchase the WVPA directory. Population numbers are 2008 census data numbers.)

Braxton POP 14,700
There are two weekly newspapers listed for Braxton County, The Braxton Citizen’s-News and The Braxton Democrat. This is an example of two different publications, owned by two different people. The Braxton Citzen’s News prints 6500 copes a week (current data), and the Braxton Democrat prints 2900 (2006 data) a week.

But in other counties, the two publications are owned, printed, written and circulated by the same people.

Gilmer POP 6,873
For example, The Glenville Democrat and The Glenville Pathfinder are essentially the same paper. Printed at a combined 3500 a week, the two newspapers count as one. Gilmer County also now has an online publication for daily news updates, however, local coverage is weak, and seems to come from submissions only.

Other counties where two papers are now one include:

Jackson POP 28,157
The Jackson Star News: 5000 copies weekly
The Jackson Herald: 6500 copies weekly

Ritchie POP 10,308
The Ritchie Gazette: 3346 copies weekly
The Pennsboro News: 4200 copies weekly

Roane POP 15,169
The Times Record: 2358 copies weekly
The Roane Reporter 2892 copies weekly

Webster: POP 9,394
The Webster Echo: 2864 copies weekly
The Webster Republican: 1000 copies weekly

Clay POP 10,075
Now Clay County gets rather interesting. There’s the Clay Free Press, printed weekly at 4761 copies. But then, there’s also “The Sunshine Paper” – a non WVPA print member printed weekly in Clendenin. Also, The Clay Communicator is printed weekly, circulation numbers unknown. Their web site, clayberry.org, is more popular than their print edition anyway.

Calhoun POP 7,212
Calhoun County is another interesting situation. The WVPA press member, The Calhoun Chronicle, prints 3300 weekly. However, the best news coverage for the county is the daily updated Hur Herald, an unoffical “hobby” site mostly funded by an annual fund drive.

The remaining counties in our region only have one newspaper each:

Wirt: POP 5,757
The Wirt County Journal: 2189 copies weekly

Tyler: POP 8,841
The Tyler Star News: 4000 copies weekly

Lewis: 17,281
The Weston Democrat: 6843 copies weekly

Doddridge: POP 7,201
2763 copies weekly

Are county newspapers a good choice for marketing and advertising? If you want to reach the same percentage of the population in that county every week, yes. Local newspaper readers are a loyal bunch. In addition, the Central WV newspapers’ web sites are mostly weak or non-existent. Right now, to market to a specific audience in a specific county, newspapers are still a logical choice.

But what if you want to market to the region?

At this point, there are only two major regional publications in Central West Virginia: Two-Lane Livin’, and The Trader’s Guide.

Two-Lane Livin’ serves a 16 county region. The Trader’s Guide is circulated in 17 WV counties and 3 Ohio counties. The Trader’s Guide is weekly, Two-Lane Livin’ is monthly.

But, how do the two compare?

Number of Copies Printed for Each Issue
Two-Lane Livin’: 15,000
The Trader’s Guide: 8,000
(I find it interesting that NO WHERE does The Trader’s Guide give their print number, only their estimated readership.)

Reader’s Cost for Each Issue
Two-Lane Livin’: Free
The Trader’s Guide: $1.25

Number of Distribution Locations:
Two-Lane Livin’: Over 500
The Trader’s Guide: 270

How does the Trader’s Guide cover a larger area with fewer copies and fewer locations? The truth is — they can’t.

Printing 8,000 copies and counting 28,000 readers implies two impossible things:
1. Every copy being sold and
2. 3.5 readers per issue!

On the other hand, Two-Lane Livin’ has a 96% readership level. That means only 5%, (or 500) copies are left on the news racks at the end of the month. And while The Trader’s Guide and county newspapers toss or recycle bin their unsold copies (and no one but the publishers will ever know the unsold numbers) Two-Lane Livin’ RECIRCULATES our left over copies.

Within two months, every issue of Two-Lane Livin’ has a 100% readership rate.

In addition, a reader survey last year showed that each copy is read, on average by 2.6 people. So, we’re averaging 37,700 readers a month. On recirculation, we have to potential to reach another 1300 readers.

So, if you want your print ad to be seen by more Central WV readers, you have two choices:
1. Buy ads in 15 county newspapers or,
2. Buy ads in Two-Lane Livin’.

We’re currently working on the August issue. Wouldn’t you like to present your business in Central West Virginia’s furthest-reaching publication? Take a look at our advertising rates(PDF), then give me a call, 304-354-9132, to reserve your ad space today.

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New Low Rates In Place Starting June 1, 2009

June 14, 2009

Two-Lane Livin’ magazine has released their new rate sheet for the second half of 2009.

Don’t assume that rates have increased! For many of our larger ads, the costs have actually dropped.

By shifting our spot color and full color charges to a set fee instead of an added percentage, we’ve been able to lower the rates of some of our black and white ad sizes. You can get more space for your money!

We also have plans to print more copies soon! Now is the best time to purchase that year-long contract to get more copies in the future at today’s prices!

Take advantage of these new prices, before your competition begins using Two-Lane Livin’ to establish their brand in the Central West Virginia region. At these prices, you can’t afford NOT to purchase your space in the region’s most popular, farthest reaching magazine.

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Two-Lane Livin’ Creates Life-Long Learners

June 13, 2009

In August, with the release of the September issue, Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine will celebrate two years of serving and creating life-long learners in Central West Virginia.

In a region where the local newspaper’s lifestyle section is slim to non-existent, less than 50% of citizens have Internet access, and resources are thin, Two-Lane Livin’ has come forward as the region’s source of useful, practical and entertaining information.

As expected, the magazine is enjoyed by citizens who have made a habit of reading and learning in their lives. But, the free magazine has also connected with a new audience.

Susan’s husband, for instance, who (as Susan wrote in) “reads Two-Lane Livin’ cover to cover, and he doesn’t read anything.”

Cover Price and Distribution

Two-Lane Livin’ has combined the readership of the county newspaper with the readership of the regional trading guide. The magazine reaches into 16 counties, laying over into the coverage of two trader magazines. It has a larger coverage region than the Weston/Glenville FM radio station, and encompasses a region divided in coverage by three different television stations.

Because the magazine is free to readers, distribution locations can include libraries, senior citizen’s centers, waiting rooms and social service offices. Two-Lane Livin’ doesn’t ask the reader to seek it out at the news stand. Two-Lane Livin’ magazine reaches out to all readers, wherever they are.

You can find Two-Lane Livin’ magazine at over 500 distribution locations. Hair salons, barber shops, mom and pop stores on backroads, towns that have only a post office. Sure, we deliver to GoMart and other typical news outlets, but we also deliver to class rooms, community centers, long term care facilities, taverns and laundromats.

The Lady at the Laundromat

On a recent delivery to a local laundromat, I met a devoted reader. Dressed in a black mini skirt, sitting on the bench out front smoking a cigarette, she watched me gather copies from the truck bed, and approach the front doors.

“Hey you,” she said. Blowing out smoke as she talked, and looking at me with black lined eyes.

“Yes?” I asked, looking at her in surprise.

“Is that the Two-Lane Livin’?”

“Yes, it is.” I said, holding the copies out to show her the cover.

“Can I have one?” She asked. “I love that paper. It’s the only thing I read.”

Community Connection

Of course, Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine is enjoyed by a variety of people. Men, women, young, old, rich, poor, learners and — those who may have lost their lust for learning. Two-Lane Livin’ has reached into the nooks, crannies, valleys and glens of Central West Virginia to offer the region the information they need to improve the quality of their lives.

We’ve opened an outlet for their photos, their essays, their stories. We present them with articles written by their neighbors, their friends, their associates. Two-Lane Livin’ is Central West Virginia written and produced and created by the combined efforts of Central West Virginians. As a result, it is embraced by Central West Virginia readers — and others beyond the region.

You Can Contribute

Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine allows readers to contribute photos, stories, poetry and essays. We’ve provided readers with a free outlet for their creations, and a free source for practical learning.

Of course, we’re funded by advertising and are always seeking contributing sponsors. By advertising in Two-Lane Livin’, not only are you building a strong branding image with Central West Virginians, but you are also fostering their education and paving their path to a better quality of life.

Your business brand can become part of this Two-Lane Connection. Use your advertising dollars to contribute to life-long learning in Central West Virginia. Visit our web site to learn how.

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Time for an Upgrade

June 13, 2009

For several weeks, I’ve wondered why my blog was taking so long to load, so I peeked around in the html code. I’d been hacked – and one reason was because I had not updated my version of Wordpress. When I did that, although I liked the new workspace and dashboard, the theme I had been using — did not.

So, after three years of the same theme, same thing, I needed an upgrade anyway. I’m hoping to change the way I post as well.

I also have begun using tags in my posts, I hope you find some use for them. If you’re new to tags, the ones that appear in the larger print are tags I’ve used most often.

You can also see my twitter feed in the right column, and as time passes, I hope to add some other neat features.

I hope you like the new look.

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Floral Photography – The Bearded Iris

May 15, 2007

Since I have been too scatter-brained to blog, I thought I would instead offer a photo-tour of my flower beds in their current condition:

From the Bearded Iris bed:

beardediris1.jpg

beardediris2.jpg

I’m so proud of them. Aren’t they gorgeous?

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Two-Lane Livin September 2008 Issue Now Online

August 28, 2008

I just finished uploading the September update of Two-Lane Livin’ online.

My goal was to have it up by midnight, and it is one minute ’til.

I always feel like our web site is weak, because I know the limitations (and dated materials) of my web design ability. With the transition from Volume One to Volume Two, I have tried to pep it up a bit and make it more personal, and a little more active.

One of the first things I did was add columnists’ photos to their pages if they were willing. Some won’t give me a picture at all. Some will for print, but not for online. Some have stock photos in an online portfolio. But now, if they have a photo, it shows on their pages.

The other main change is the incorporation of The Passin’ Time Page. Although my skills with multimedia and today’s social networking systems are limited, that knowledge isn’t lost on some of our columnists. We have links to music files on Mack Sample’s web page, direct links to email questions to our columnists, free downloads and free games.

I do feel happy to have this page because it gives me a chance to show off some of our columnist’s talents, and helps provide some content for an online edition that normally only gets updated once a month.

As for my favorite columns this month? That’s easy this time around. It’s the three new ones:

Granny’s Front Porch

Through the Seasons

Notes from A WV Wanderer

I’m truly thrilled to have these three joining us.

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25 Random Things About Two-Lane Livin’

February 20, 2009

25 Random Things About Two-Lane Livin’

1. The idea for the magazine came to mind while we were in the bathtub.

2.  Only 10,000 copies were printed for the first issue. They were gone in three days. We now print 15,000 copies per issue, and could likely circulate more than that, but we’d need a bigger truck and trailer.

3.  Only six of our 24 columnists have ever written professionally or publicly before. Nine are college graduates, and 22 live within our distribution region. 19 write for Two-Lane Livin’ alone, and do not reprint, republish or resubmit their work elsewhere. One had wanted to write for 56 years before we found her and invited her to write for us. One does not own a computer, and sends her column in hand-written. Columnists are never given assignments.

4. The cover photo is not provided by the publisher. Every cover photo has been provided by a winner in our Cover Contest. Even the first issue.

5. We actually have three monthly contests: The Cover Contest, where winners are featured on the cover and receive a Two-Lane Livin’ t-shirt; the Find the Graphic Contest where winners recieve a bumper sticker; and the Name the Product Contest, where winners receive a free book on product ingredients. Once, I forgot to hide the graphic for the Find the Graphic contest. I’ll never make that mistake again.

6.  Two-Lane Livin’ subscriptions now reach into 14 different states. However, our readers mail more copies to out of state family than we do to subscribers. In a survey of readers last fall, more than 40% of respondents say they save or mail their copy for family out of state.

7. Copies have been found regularly in Morgantown, Elkins, St. Mary’s, Vienna, Summersville and Charleston. We do not deliver to any of these cities.

8. I draw the “color me section” of the kid’s page by hand, then scan it into the computer. Also, our flag on the cover was drawn by hand by Charlie Whipkey of Grantsville. The pen and ink drawing was scanned without color, and then is decorated and colored differently for each issue in the computer.

9. Of eighteen issues now released, there has never been more than 600 copies left over of the 15,000 circulated. In fact, we are the only regional publication that offers rates, distribution numbers, AND leftover numbers (unread copies) to our clients,  readers and the general public.

10. We are the only publication in the region where the publisher is also the editor, a columnist, the layout person, the graphic designer, the ad salesperson, the book keeper, office manager, delivery girl, accountant, web site manager and cleaning lady. But that’s going to change real soon.

11.  We dropped the G in Two-Lane Livin’ because my mother, a college grammar professor, told me when I moved from Ohio to Central West Virginia, I lost my “Gs.”

12. Two-Lane Livin’ is (currently) the only Central WV publication with a facebook group, a facebook page, a blog, a CafePress store, a Twitter account and Linked In account — and the only area publication that offers online purchasing. When Central WV AOL users type in their zip code, their local news aggregator shows headlines from Two-Lane Livin’. We are currently being reviewed for participation in the Google Print Ads Program. Interestingly enough, when surveyed, less than 37% of print edition readers noted that they had a computer in their home.

13. At best, it takes five days to deliver a monthly issue. The longest it’s taken to complete the task (due to weather, road work, flooding, etc.) was 14 days.

14. We are currently the only regional publication that advertises on local radio. (105.5 and The Boss 97 FM)

15. We have trac fones, but they don’t work until we get 11 miles from the house in any direction. I make one phone call a month regularly, and have accumlated more than 400 minutes. Only five people have our cell phone numbers. We have nine email addresses — and they all forward to the same mail box.

16. Two-Lane Livin’ recycles and reuses. Left-over copies are recirculated in laundromats, Visitor’s Centers, rest stops and doctor’s offices. We work hard to make sure that every issue is eventually seen. Any left after that are used as mulch in the summer garden. We recycle print cartridges, computer paper, magazines, notebook paper, and even save used stamps for my CEOS club. All our rubber bands are collected from incoming mail and reused, and we even recycle the plastic bands that come around the bundled papers.

17.  We meet most people while on delivery, when our faces and hands are covered in newspaper ink, and I know who has the cleanest bathrooms, with soap, in 15 counties.

18. One of the best compliments I ever heard for Two-Lane Livin’ was, “I read Two-Lane Livin’, and I hate to read.”

19. My mother meets us at the printer each month to get 100 copies for her own use. A dozen go to the ladies in her bible study group, a dozen go to the ladies at the hair salon, many go to family or friends in her neighborhood, and the rest go to the Strecker Cancer Center in Marietta, where Mother takes her friend for treatments.

20. We’ve had advertisers from Utah, and California. We serve 15 counties, but only have one advertiser in our home county — and they just moved here from out of state.

21. Most of our web site visitors come from google.com. Very few of them use the original keywords we had in the META TAGS of our site like: West Virginia, magazine, Gilmer, Calhoun, Braxton, etc. Most are searching for information and topics covered by the columnists. Local visitors hit the site when it is updated. The rest of the world visits the site consistently all month long.

22.  Two-Lane Livin’ is used as a teaching tool in Diana Elementary School in Webster County, and in Creative Writing classes at Lewis County High School. Our “Young Voices” column is actually a monthly classroom writing assignment for the Creative Writing students.

23.  Two-Lane Livin’ is delivered to every Senior Center and Long-term care facility in the 15 counties we serve. They are the happiest to see us coming.

24. We split our business between two rural post offices to help their budgets, which are set directly according to the amount of business they handle. We purchase stamps, have a PO Box and mail letters from Millstone Post Office, and mail subscriptions from Normantown Post Office.

25. We have three columnists I have never met in person. We have only communicated online. I can say the same for about half of our advertising clients.

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Why Does Google Sell Print Ads? Because they work.

February 20, 2009

Millions of web sites participate in Google’s Adsense program, and imbed Google web ads on their own web sites to generate a little extra revenue. However, only members of the Google’s Adwords program, set up for purchasing web ad space from Google, are even aware that Google sells print ads.

I love Google. They’re on the ball. At some point, someone at Google said, “what services compliment the advertising services we already offer?” Google commissioned research of newspaper readers that use the internet and discovered a media synergy. Newspaper drives online traffic.

“Newspaper advertising drives response via the web, which makes it the perfect complement to a search campaign,” noted Google.

Their research showed that 67% of people who did research after seeing a newspaper ad did it online. 42% reported that in the last month they had purchased at least one product they saw in the newspaper. Overall, 56% had either purchased or researched at least one product they saw in the newspaper in the last month.

More than 50% of respondents said that if they saw a newspaper ad for a product they already knew about from the Internet, they would be more likely to purchase the product. Fifty percent!

“The benefits of getting your message in front of consumers multiple times in multiple media are read — and measurable,” says Google.

72% of people who responded to a newspaper ad by searching Google ended up purchasing the product — effectively the same rate as people who responded by visiting a store.

“Additionally, people considered the newspaper more useful for learning about promotions, and deciding where and when to buy,” their pages note.
“Many Google Print Ads advertisers have seen first-hand the effect newspaper can have on search campaigns and web commerce.”

In addition to their surveys, Google also did homework, conferring with the National Newspaper Association. (Visit http://tinyurl.com/ajtb25)

I quote:

Newspapers give advertisers significant local reach. they are the voice of their community.

Readers say that the newspaper is an important part of their routine, and that reading is relaxing to them.

Newspaper advertising is key to driving search activity.

47% of people who responded to a newspaper ad by going online went directly to a URL they saw in the advertisement.

Newspapers are a key resource for shopping information that drives consumers to make purchases — both online and offline.

What I also love about the Google Print Ads Program is that it includes Tips for Creating Effective Print Campaigns, (see http://tinyurl.com/d6bkqw) and even an online, no charge print ad designer. How cool is that?? I’ll be sure to provide my web site visitors with a link to that.

So many in the world are chirping that newspapers are going to die. But Google.com itself is telling their customers that print is the perfect compliment to a search campaign, and is a valid tool for driving online traffic.

Print is not dead. Not on the local level. Google has discovered that “Online” needs “In Print.”
Google saying so could be a real benefit for small, local publications in the future. Papers and magazines have been trying for years to make print and online combine and work well (and profitably) together. How to make local “compete” world wide. Seems like very few small town print papers have yet to really accept that they now must compete, or a least exist somehow, online.
Well, Google has found the answer for us. They have a way to make the world compete on a specifically targeted local level. And if a publication can meet and pass Google’s approval process to be one of over 800 publications now part of the program, they’ll send advertisers right to your virtual door.

I submitted an application today, and have no idea if Two-Lane Livin’ meets their guidelines. But no one needs Google to buy advertising in our publication. They can call us directly, or email, or even do it online through another internet partnership we have with MediaBids.com. (See http://tinyurl.com/cxpvnh).
Google’s research results, and their Print Ad program are things that all newspapers, magazines and marketers should be aware of.

Because it’s independent proof that print is NOT dead — that local print is alive and well, and even has an important purpose in the future.

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March issue of Two Lane Livin’ Now Online

February 26, 2009


THE MARCH ISSUE COVER CONTEST WINNER
  is Joshua Stough of Millstone with “Spring Blossom.”
See more of his work HERE.

A Minute Saved is A Project Completed – These days,  stores even have “penny catchers” on their counters, where folks can leave their pennies if they don’t want them, and others who don’t have a penny can take one if they need one…

Duct Tape Therapy – After living here a couple of years, I’ve come to realize this: to survive in the country, you have to have common sense, a good attitude, physical ability, the right tools – and most importantly, a whole bunch of duct tape….

Time To Cut Firewood – I don’t know about you, but I like to have all of my firewood for next winter in the shed by April 1…

Auction Fever – Spring really begins the last Saturday in March for Jackson County. That’s the date for the annual Ravenswood FFA Farm Equipment Auction at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Cottageville, WV…..

Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex -  The best known of the early mound-builders are the Adena people of the central Ohio valley (800 BC to 100AD)…

Write On The Radio - Eddie Stubbs can rattle off facts and history (without notes) as good as anyone alive.

Ode to Compost - Compost – a luxury every gardener can afford, a necessity passionate gardeners won’t grow without…

New Endeavors – We travel the same roads, hunt and fish the same spots and camp in the same areas year after year, because of the comfort factor…

Spinal Disk Issues – There are three basic types of disk problems…

In Search of Phthalate-Free – Americans’ bodies are virtual stewpots of industrial chemicals…

Always At Home – Is it possible to love your child too much? Absolutely not!

Waste Not, Want Not – Household Uses for Salt

Scratches, Dents & Dings - Apples to Apples

Mom’s Recipe of The Month – Kathy’s Bean Dip

See all this month’s updated columns online at www.twolanelivin.com.

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To Reach Central West Virginia in Print AND Radio…

April 17, 2009

By fluke or influence of a higher power, I found myself facing an opportunity last week. Central West Virginia’s newest radio station, WVRW on 107.7 (Weston/Glenville), invited me (and Two-Lane Livin’) to join forces. The offer, ironically, came just when I was reading the “Partnering with Your Competition” chapter of “Advanced Selling for Dummies.”

(See what happens when you ask God for a sign?)

Some may say that radio isn’t print’s competition. However, anything or anyone that taps a client’s advertising budget IS competition.

Of course, I could immediately see the potential for the future. I could see that I was being handed my “unique selling point.” I was seeing the world come together to offer me (push me) to take bigger steps towards my destiny.

Have you ever actually FELT God’s power in your life? I’m not a church-goer; not overly religious. I don’t pray on a regular basis. But I’ve experienced enough in my life to stand in the middle of this opportunity, look around and say, “Uh-oh. God has put a plan into action here, and I have a part. I’d better step up.”

What happens when you combine the most loved publication in Central West Virginia and the most affordable, fastest growing radio station in the region?

Central West Virginia market saturation — as has never been available (or convenient, or affordable) as before.

Really. Think about it. Does ANY WV radio station offer print ads? Does any WV print medium offer radio ads? I don’t know of any. And definately not in Central West Virginia. And even with the deal made, you still can’t get the combo from any radio station. WVRW is growing so fast, they don’t want to learn about print ads. They just wanted me to have to opportunity to offer their ads with ours.

So the only person who can offer that combination — is me. If you want the print/radio combo deals in Central West Virginia, you must talk with me.

In this position, I not only offer radio and print saturation, but also, I can make deals and offer discounts to a farther extent. My negotiation range expanded. My ability to build custom marketing campaigns just multiplied one thousand fold. The possibilities are — almost frightening.

I’m excited, and a little overwhelmed. I’m doing a crash course on the ins and outs of radio advertising. Steve, the station owner, is a wonderful resource, and in a short period, explained the basics in a way that each point hit straight home and registered in my brain. It’s not that different from the points of print, really.

Two weeks ago, I was focused on other projects in other directions. Radio wasn’t even on my radar. But I was searching for the next step. I was feeling out a new direction. I was ready to move up to Stage 2 for Two-Lane Livin’, and yet couldn’t find the stair case to the next level, and I was searching and researching…

And then, there was the door.

Behind that door was a world of possibility for opening up the Central West Virginia region. Not just for me, but for our reading and listening community, and for any business or service that wants to reach that community.

You know, God put a door before Jonah, and Jonah turned away and went in the other direction. He ended up in the belly of a whale.

I hadn’t planned on radio. Wasn’t even a blip on my screen. But now the door has opened, and the path before me has come back into focus.

There’s no telling how far we’re going to go.

So, for Two-Lane Livin’, 107.7 FM WVRW, and 980 AM WHAW — this is Lisa Minney, signing on.

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The May Issue of Two-Lane Livin’ is Now Online

May 3, 2009
Ginger, Waking Up the Clouds
THE MAY ISSUE COVER CONTEST WINNER
 is Janet Cowger-Fliegel with her photo
“Ginger Waking Up The Clouds.”

This Month’s Featured Articles Include:

From The Passenger Seat – New, for this spring issue, we’ve created a page for our readers. “From the Passenger Seat” premiers on page 23, and will include comments, letters, essays and photos sent in — by you. …

A Mushroom Named Bob – For whatever reason, the Mushroom Gods just don’t think we need to have a mess of fresh Molly Moochers, no matter how hard we try. We did have one close call this season, though….

Victory Gardens Back in Vogue – I gather from reading the national news media that victory gardens are in vogue this summer. A victory garden is a World War II (1941-45) term…

Split Dogs and Skunk Funerals – Tall tales, usually called lies in West Virginia, are part of our storytelling heritage…

The Edible Cattail - The cattail is one of the most important and common wild foods, with a variety of uses at different times of the year. Whatever you call it, a stand of cattails is as close as you’ll get to finding a wild supermarket.

Working Your Compost Heap - Within a few days of building the heap, on a cool morning you may see vapor or steam rising from it. That’s the moment you shout, “Aha! It’s working!”

Do I Need X-Rays? – The notion that everyone needs an x-ray may be a good business plan, but in my opinion x-rays are not necessary in every case.

Pickens Maple Syrup Festival -  Pickens is, by anyone’s account, a very small town. But each year, the Maple Syrup Festival draws people from around West Virginia and neighboring states. This year’s festival was the 25th celebration of the making of maple syrup in this former logging town. …

How Long Do We Wait? – Have we become so complacent that we’ve handed over our personal responsibility for our own health and well-being?

Always At Home – There are many people in history who have changed children’s lives for the better: from heroes to teachers, writers to mentors and politicians to parents.

Finding Time -  often wonder why some people seem to have at their disposal, all of the time in the world…

Things New and Old - Sam, The Jihadist

Waste Not, Want Not – The Price of a Tomato

Mom’s Recipe of The Month – Mom’s Easy Corn Bake

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The Beginning of Garden Season & the Garden Tours

May 9, 2009

I suppose, knowing that I will be posting pictures from my gardens all season long, I should give a “before” picture or two.

2009 Veggie Garden Spring

This is the vegetable garden, doubled in length this year, so half the fence isn’t up yet. At this point, the ground has been disked, but not tilled.

Columbine Bed

This is my “Columbine Bed.”  The Columbine I dug from the woods are starting to bloom, but the store-bought ones aren’t even close. The day lilies will bloom about the time the other columbine come out. Also, in this garden, but not shown here are: Bearded Iris, Hibiscus, Spirea, Coneflower and Lavender.

The plow is one of the original horse plows on the farm. The bird bath came from my mother’s house last year when she moved to her condo, and the archway is from our wedding — eight years ago this month. (I just got it back of of the box last year.)

What I like is that this garden is less than six years old. And I almost have it planted now so that it has something blooming in it all season long. I’ll be posting pictures from this bed often throughout the season.

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Stop Tap Dancing and Toot

May 12, 2009

You know I realize, if you are trying to use Social Media as networking tools, then there’s a right way and a wrong way to blog, post, and update your status.

I know enough to know I’m really not going about it the right way. And frankly, I resent social media, because all these rules have given me a digital media writer’s block. I’m an article writer and you give me 140 characters for a tweet? Lord help me.

You know “writing for the web” might be a writing skill, but it isn’t good writing.
Social media, for marketing, is sly. It’s about “building relationships” in a “strategic manner” to encourage consumers to enter your “marketing funnel” and begin the “purchasing process.”

Frankly, I don’t have that kind of time, much less the time to learn the proper way to do all that. Besides, I’ve never been eloquent. I’m straight-forward to a fault, and all this social networking seems only to have led me to a level 15 farm on facebook, and more friends that I didn’t know I had — or even still know who they are.

So look, can I just stop all this tap dancing for a minute and toot my own horn? That’s what marketing really is, isn’t it? Tooting your own horn?

Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine was born from an idea that hit in the bathtub. I didn’t want to be a small-town newspaper reporter any more. I didn’t want to know what tricks and processes go on behind our Disney Worlds.  I wanted to forget trade secrets, political powers and influences, internal investigations. I wanted OUT.

And all around me, there were others who also wanted out, and there were those who had gotten out. I found, around me, a communal longing to leave the rat race of our lives.

A desire to simplify, budget, take control of our lives again during crazy times.

How to find, eat, grow healthy foods. How to improve our health without insurance or pharmaceuticals. How to make the most of every dollar, and make the most of what we have. How to improve our family relationships, raise our children well, get in tune with the world around us and a higher power, and laugh at the mishaps along the way.

Those who knew how to do these things became my mentors — and with the idea from the bubble bath — then columnists.

I started with seven.

But then, others just — appeared — in my life. A faith columnist, met at the farmer’s market. A lifestyle columnist, (back home from the big city where she worked as a newspaper feature editor) at a company pic nic. A master naturalist, at my alma mater.

We launched with ten.

10,000 copies of the first issue were distributed and gone from the racks — in three days.

The second issue ran at 12,000 copies — gone in a week.
And then other columnists began checking in. A disc jockey with a love for bluegrass. A nationally published outdoor writer, back home to WV  & looking for an outlet. An amateur photographer and travel writer. A West Virginia novelist wanting to revive his column from the WV Hillbilly (previously loved WV magazine, once printed in ramp ink, now defunct, but remembered fondly).

Sixteen months later, we print 15,000 copies (we never intended to print more than 10,000), deliver to 15 counties (what had planned on 12), at over 500 different locations (triple the estimated numbers).

Now I sit here, night after night on my “social media tools” reading of the dawn of a new era, the death of all things print related, that exclusive quality content is king, advertising is dead, and the end of newspapers is nigh.

And I am slightly embarassed of my little newsprint, tabloid sized, country magazine in (gasp!) print.

We’re outdated, have a faulty web site (which I designed and maintain but still think it has style), have limited social interaction capabilities on the web, a staff of two, and a conglomeration of volunteer columnists that range from published novelist to ‘no previous writing experience’. Two columns come in hand-written and have to be typeset.

We have a reader’s page, a kid’s activity page, puzzles, and three contests, including the reader-subitted photo featured on each month’s cover.
But, that IS Two-Lane Livin’. These are writers from here, who live here, who struggle here, just like everybody else. And that is why, Central West Virginia readers love “The Two-Lane Livin’ Paper.”

That, and the fact that it’s free.
Now, I don’t know how much you know about advertising. I don’t know how much interest you have in Central West Virginia. But I’m pretty sure I know that most marketing gurus out there think print advertising is passe’. Social media: blogging, tweeting, linking in — is the way to go.

It may very well be. Somewhere… Out there… I only know what I know here.
Two-Lane Livin’ is the publication from, and for, Central West Virginia. A world where cell phone coverage is spotty, high speed internet is for the geographically fortunate, radio is patchy unless you have satellite, and quality content had better be practical, useful or entertaining — in the real world, not the virtual world.

You see in Central West Virginia, there’s still a big line between ‘real life’ and ‘online life’. Here, we don’t have time for virtual gardens, we’ve got real ones in my back yard to tend.

So, I just want to say — straight up and forward:

* If you want to reach up to 34,000 hard-working, down home, practical folks in Central West Virginia every month; who still see print as an important (and in our case, loved and trusted) part of their lives,

* If you want your business message to appear along side of positive information that is minimally controversial, productive and educational, in a publication READERS take pride in,
* If you want to know that at least 95% of the print ads run will be seen by readers, without paying an arm and a leg, (15 counties, cheaper than in any 3 county papers combined)
* If you want to support a free publication available to ALL Central West Virginia social classes offering lessons on how to improve their economic, physical, social, educational, nutritional, familial and spiritual standards,

Then, HEY!You need a print ad campaign.

With us. With Two-Lane Livin’.

If quality content is king, our kingdom is Central West Virginia. We just happen to offer it in print best.
And if you want to combine print with a radio campaign covering the same region? We can help with that too. Even offer you discounts and package deals (i.e offer discounts to our readers, get a discount on your ads), and free ad design if you wish.

The next issue is our June issue – an ink and paper hot cake for locals and travelers through the region alike. The next four issues will just fly off the stands. I know.

See, I know we’re hot. I know, that Two-Lane Livin’ has the prime coverage, saturation, and connection in Central West Virginia. I know we’ve got the prime partnership with a new regional radio station.
And today, I just had to stop dancing around saying it, and just had to just toot the horn. If you want to promote in Central West Virginia, THESE ARE THE TOOLS.

I may break the blogging rules.  I may not retweet enough or tweet with enough consistency. I may wane off my positive presentation on a blue day, and am too overwhelmed to update my knowledge of web design and publishing. I hate my cell phone, and want you all to eat Rosemary to counteract the radiation doses you’re getting from your cell phones…

I know haven’t mastered social media as a marketing tool.
And if you live in the four-lane world out there, then you have never likely seen Two-Lane Livin’ in print, the very best presentation of who we are and what we do.

We are Two-Lane Livin’, Central West Virginia’s Guide to Life.

If you want to market in this region, this is the best way to get it done.

Okay. Horn tooted.

I apologize for the blatant self-promotion undisquised as an informational article designed to beguile you into my marketing funnel.

I apologize for any skepticism shown or cynicism reflected about the potential usefulness of social media.

I’d like to note that print ads are very effective at drawing actionable web traffic to a web site, so if you want to promote your social media outlets — blogs, twitter accounts — you might want to consider us too.

:o )

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Yard & Garden Photos: Spring 2009

May 15, 2009

Shall we begin with my favorite view? This is the scene from the back porch swing:

swingview.jpg

This is the Eastern View of My Columbine Bed:

columbinebed2.jpg

Where my garden fairy hides:

faeire.jpg

And this is my store bought columbine (the others are wild from the woods):

pinkyelcolumbine.jpg

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Computer, Garden. Computer, Garden.

May 15, 2009

I found it nearly impossible to stay inside around the desk today. In fact, once I had my first cup of coffee, I was in the garden.

I went to bed last night troubled by the bare spots in each row where the seed or start basically rotted in the ground after last week’s rain. First thing this morning, I filled all the bare spots with replacement seed. Then I hoed out what I thought would be the three final rows and planted them, blue lake beans and candy corn.

But then Frank began removing half of the fence. He had mentioned expanding the garden, but I didn’t think much about it. We’d already doubled the size of last year’s garden, and by the time Frank finished today, it’s now triple last year’s size.

As I planted rows of half runners and sundowner corn, Frank went to the store for milk and bread — and came home with a dozen sweet pepper plants and half a dozen cabbage starts. We got the peppers in, and the expanded fence replaced around the garden before dark.

We’ve already begun collecting and purchasing canning jars and lids, knowing, come harvest time, they’ll be at least 25% higher in price. Of course, I have most of last year’s jars, but with the garden 2/3rds larger, I suppose I’ll need more jars.

Likely, most of the corn and the beans we will sell the surplus at the farmer’s market this fall. Imagine, fresh half runners, blue lake and tenderette beans. Right now though, I feel I could eat all that corn myself. I can’t WAIT to get a taste of garden fresh corn — or a bite of the garden’s first ripe tomato.

Still we have planted no melons, cukes, or squash, and have decided that only an entirely separate garden will do. We must have cucumbers, as I learned to make pickles last year, and just this month, my father-in-law bought me a beautiful huge pickling crock at an antique store. (Yes, I’ll definitely need more jars.)

I hope to freeze most of the corn, although I’m not sure how I’ll run this winter on freezer room. I’m hoping to pack the freezers with deer meat this fall, after learning that many of my stomach issues were caused by commercially processed red meat.

I’ll also have a full refrigerator hopefully, as soon as we get the new laying hens — hopefully to arrive this weekend.

But the chickens — they’re a whole other story.

Which I’ll share with you soon enough.

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Give them a dirt bath.

May 24, 2009

Friday evening, we attended a bonfire in celebration of a friend/columnist’s daughter’s graduation. It started at 9 p.m., and I had no idea how time flew until the teens headed to bed around 1 a.m. I immediately said, “Oh! We have to go!”

We made it from the kitchen table to the front porch chairs before we got caught up in another interesting discussion.

When we finally did leave, it was 4 a.m.

Frank, who falls asleep quickly and knows it takes me about an hour, let me sleep in until 10 a.m. this morning, when the phone rang — my weekly Saturday morning phone call from my mother. About 10 years ago, because my life was so crazy and I often forgot to call her on a regular basis, Mother suggested she call every week at the same time.

It is now a routine part of our lives.

The topic of this week’s phone call, (and much of the party discussion) concerned four laying hens. My new hens. My hens who didn’t get fed this morning until 11 a.m. because I was up all night talking about them and sipping home made wine.

My friend Sue, who hosted the party, is The Farm Queen, Ms. Organic Herself, a woman who (I am sure) has not a single additive or preservative in her entire body. She has several beautiful chickens.

It’s Sue’s fault I have laying hens.

And once we finished celebrating her daughter’s accomplishment and settled down to chat I said, “Sue, I have chicken questions.”

She explained. Hens lay every 28 hours, not 24. They have to have food, PLUS oyster shells (calcium) to make the egg shells hard, PLUS grit which is basically rocks in some part of their throat that helps them chew because they have no teeth. But — that’s not all.

Sue’s also get Olive Oil, to make their feathers shiny. They get garlic every three days to keep away mites, fleas, and other nasties. They get brewer’s yeast for the same reason.

She gives them raw meat (organic) and milk and cream (organic). The layer feed she gives them she makes herself, and it’s 100% natural, not like the 17% natural mix you get at the feed store.

Sue has the most beautiful, glossy, spoiled hens there are. That’s what I pictured when I pictured hens. And then, we went and purchased mine, from a farm overstocked with mixed multitudes of chickens, guineas, ducks — all free range and rather fending for themselves.

We brought them home at night, captured from their roost. When I got a good look at them the next morning, I realized, these were not like Sue’s hens.

They were not beautiful, they were not clucking and cute. They were not pets.

First off, they stunk. I can handle bird poop, feeding schedules, food formulas, egg gathering, care taking.

But I don’t do stink.

At the party, I asked Sue if I could give them a bath. She told me to put out a pan of dirt.

“Dirt?”

“Diatomaceous Earth.”

“O-kayyyy.”

See, if you want chickens to bathe — you give them dirt, not water.

Through this first week, I have seen improvement in my hens. Not being a farm girl, I am not about to judge their former living environment. However, I do think being catered to is much better for them than fending for themselves.

They no longer act like they’re starving, and have already gotten accustomed to my voice and the shaking of their feed can.

Within three days, they established their little “pecking order.” They are now a rather cohesive club, not a bunch of snippy singles.

My favorite, the Barred Rock, is low girl on the totem pole. I’ve named her “Peppa,” as she’s salt and pepper speckled.

Her eggs have a dark brown shell.

In the first week, our four hens produced 12 eggs in all, two of which I dropped.  (I need a little more practice reaching through the access hole in their pen to grab the eggs.)

I had provided one roost and one nest for them to share (as Sue’s do) but after a day of watching them establishing their pecking order, I broke down and provided a second roost and a second nest bucket so Peppa wouldn’t have to fight so hard for her space.

I put in a second feed container so she wouldn’t have to fight the other three so hard for food.

She must realize I favor her, because she is no longer intimidated by my presence as the others are.

Every morning this week, I have tried to feed them on a schedule, gather eggs on a schedule, uncover and cover them on a schedule.

Today, I blew it. I couldn’t help it, I was up until 5 a.m. for the first time in nearly two years.

Frank went out an uncovered them for me this morning, but didn’t know my feed formula….

So when I fed them, I was four hours late.

They didn’t seem to mind — and had two eggs waiting for me.

I’ll make it up to them tomorrow.

I’m setting up a dirt bath.

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Two-Lane Livin Magazine Connects With Central West Virginians

May 28, 2009

Businesses, organizations and companies who serve Central West Virginia region need to present their business message in Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine. Two-Lane Livin’ has the farthest reach and highest readership level of any Central West Virginia publication.

REGIONAL FOCUS & COVERAGE
In the past, businesses wanting market saturation throughout the Central West Virginia region needed to gain exposure in a “pick and choose” mix of over 16 newspapers, three trade magazines, eight radio stations and at least three television stations. No single choice of these outlets focused on Central West Virginia alone with related content or circulation and coverage. In addition, all other print and radio outlets of the region focus on one style, one audience, one market. County papers focus on county readers, radio stations feature one style of music, trade publications and other free publications focus on a single audience by specializing on one topic, theme or subject.

Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine is circulated in 15 counties of the Central West Virginia region, at nearly 500 different locations. With more distribution locations from Mineral Wells to Summersville, Cairo to Clendenin, Ripley to Buckhannon, and all places in between, Two-Lane Livin’ is the only media outlet in the area that serves the region as a whole.

Two-Lane Livin’ also interests a variety of readers. Featured columnists cover outdoor sports, organic gardening,holistic nutrition, preventative health, home schooling, regional travel, household budgeting, investment advice,games, contests and more. Our audience is not limited by age, education, income, or social class.

Your marketing message in Two-Lane Livin’ magazine will reach a larger variety of people in more locations of the region than any other Central West Virginia media outlet.

GROWING READERSHIP & POPULARITY
While pay newspaper readership shrinks to online outlets, and local radio audiences embrace satellite radio for consistent reception in the mountainous region, readership levels of Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine continue to increase. The time-sensitive content of such publications makes re-circulation of copies pointless. In addition, most other free publications within the region are delivered by an outside source such as UPS or the United States Postal Service. The publishers, therefore, have no idea or record of how many copies gather dust at the bottom of news racks, never seen by readers.

More and more uncirculated copies of local pay newspapers and trade publications end up in the publisher’s dumpster or recycling bin, yet free copies of Two-Lane Livin’ are embraced by readers, leaving less than 5% of each issue left behind at the end of each month. Two-Lane Livin’ keeps detailed monthly records of copies circulated at every single distribution location, and makes adjustments for seasonal events, travel and tourism times, or other changes influencing readership to ensure maximum exposure of every issue. Any copies left over are then recirculated to: West Virginia Welcome Centers, regional Visitor’s Centers, laundromats and other locations.

While other regional media outlets face a shrinking audience, Two-Lane Livin’ circulation policies work to ensure that every single copy of your advertisement is seen by readers in the region.

POSITIVE & EMPOWERING
Now more than ever, people are seeking sources of comfort and positive information. Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine has been embraced by regional readers for its practical, useful, empowering content. The simple ‘home grown’ style of the magazine appeals to readers, who show great pride in the first publication published within the region, for the region. Readers trust the advice and information provided by Central West Virginia columnists, most of whom are volunteer writers. On average, each issue makes contact with 2.4 readers, potentially reaching nearly 35,000 readers each month.

More than 50% of readers surveyed pass their copy on to friends or family when finished reading it; 29% of them mailing copies out of state. Meanwhile, 25% noted that they keep every copy for future reference. Nearly 65% said they read each issue from cover to cover, and 75% noted they read the advertisements within.

Your advertisements in Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine will reach a larger, more varied audience than any other single media outlet in the Central West Virginia region. Circulation and recirculation efforts ensure that you get all that you pay for from your advertising investment. Your business message will be presented to readers who have taken ownership of the magazine, have trust in our content, and are looking for shopping and purchasing incentives within.

Two-Lane Livin’ can help your business make a connection with the Central West Virginia market. Call today to set up your advertising campaign, or visit the advertising section of our web site at www.twolanelivin.com/advertise for more information.

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Featured Articles from the June Two-Lane Livin’

May 29, 2009

fleigelcoverweb.jpg
THE JUNE ISSUE COVER CONTEST WINNER
 Janet Cowger with “The Lane.”

The Value of Two-Lane Livin’ – While Two-Lane Livin’ magazine is free, each page is bursting with value. If you skip a page, or a column, you may be missing out on some valuable information…

One-Lane Livin’ – Rear Wheel Drive – There was a time when some folks lived on what was known as dirt roads. These roads were not called secondary roads or off roads. They were dirt roads. The roads where more civilized folks lived were called hard roads….

Telling Tales About The Family – When I was growing up, my family shared stories on the front porch, after a fish fry in the back yard, or during the quiet time around the dining table after the dinner…

Positive Points - 5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Farmer’s Market

Twin Falls State Park -  Twin Falls State Park is located near Beckley, in the southern part of the state. It’s more mountainous than our north central Mountain Lakes region…

The Dreaded Roof Leak - How about a quick refresher course on RV roof leak repair and where to look for problems?

Tithonia & Tomatillo - Tithonia and tomatillo — two not-well-known plants which share easy-to-grow characteristics, but not much else except excellent reasons to make room for them in your yard and garden (and they both begin with the letter ‘t’).

Nutrition & Arthritis – European medical doctors and alternative docs in the U.S. are getting much results and actually reverse joint damage in many cases with nutrition-based therapy…

It’s Okay To Fail – Who knows what really brings that failure feeling on sometimes? It can be a real event, in real time or it could well be the ghost of feelings long submerged.

The Edible Paw Paw - Pawpaw flowers from February thru May and fruits ripen June thru August. The fruit is edible but the seeds are toxic.

Comparing Health Care – May’s column dealt with the frustration of dealing with unfathomable delays in medical testing and treatment for patients requiring more immediate attention. Readers were invited to comment…

Always At Home – 100 Things Your Kids Can Do This Summer

Through the Seasons -  The Quiet Sport

Things New and Old - Many Men on Many Wires

Waste Not, Want Not – Outdoor Uses for Baking Soda

Mom’s Recipe of The Month – Mom’s Wilted Lettuce

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Two-Lane Livin’, the Route to the Heart of WV

June 7, 2009

Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine Connects with Central & West Central West Virginians

Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine, now the region’s farthest reaching free publication, has made a connection with readers in 16 counties of Central and West Central West Virginia.  Distributed at more than 500 locations, the magazine has a steady 95% readership rate – a level far above those of other regional print publications.

Because the information within the magazine is timeless, readers treat Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine differently than they do other publications. Many have noted they read the magazine “from cover to cover.” In addition, readers note that they “have kept every copy,” while others have reported that they get an extra copy to “mail to my sister (daughter, son, brother, etc.) out of state.”

Because of it’s widespread and varied distribution locations, Two-Lane Livin’ also reaches a the audiences of all the regional print publications. In addition to reaching the traditional life-long reader (the typical audience for county and state newspapers) at news stands, libraries, and waiting rooms, Two-Lane Livin’ reaches the trade bulletin readers at laundromats, restaurants and social service offices. We serve our elders by delivering to long-term care centers, libraries, senior centers. We capture the attention of travelers at Visitor Centers, hotel lobbies, restaurants.

Regional Print Possibilities – Past & Present

Before the launch of Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine, to reach the entire region, businesses had to deal with multiple publications. A typical print campaign would need to include two county newspapers, at least one ad bulletin, and perhaps an insert or seasonal publication as well. Even so, such a campaign, would produce fewer copies of the print ad than a single issue of Two-Lane Livin’.

No other publication or poster campaign can reach as many readers as 15,000 copies of Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine. Before Two-Lane Livin’, the print tool for reaching this region was The Trader’s Guide, printing 8,000 copies per issue spread into 20 counties (3 in Ohio) — averaging less than 400 copies per county. County papers in the region print 2,000-5,000 copies per issue, with up to 1/3 serving out-of-state subscribers. All these pay-for papers, sitting on a never-released number left unsold each week.

Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine can simplify and amplify your print campaigns. In combination with a weekly ad in your local newspaper for added local impact, an ad in Two-Lane Livin’ once a month can provide the regional saturation and presentation at a level that has never existed before in print.

Two-Lane Livin’ is The Only Indesposable
Radio, television, even the region’s main print publications — are all fleeting. Radio and television ads are measured in seconds, aired and gone forever. Time-sensitive ad bulletins and newspapers lose their value after a week, or even days. Even Internet ads and marketing – unless it goes viral – becomes “yesterday’s content.” Ads in these mediums are disposable. They are good for today, and then tossed.

Two-Lane Livin’ readers keep their copies because the information within the pages is timeless. Even after the crossword is completed, the calendar and horoscopes have expired, and the kid’s page has been colored, readers can simply remove that middle spread and the remaining information remains valid. Readers keep their copies or pass them on, increasing the potential for your ad to be seen, not just now, but also in the future.

And what of the 5% (about 500 copies) of Two-Lane Livin’ that are not circulated each month? These copies are re-circulated; left in waiting rooms, busy areas outside our normal distribution region, and sent to Welcome Centers throughout the state. We work hard to ensure that every copy of Two-Lane Livin’ is seen by someone.

Two-Lane Livin’ is YOUR Connection to Central West Virginia

Your business message in Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine will saturate the Central West Virginia region. Your ad will be seen by an audience more varied than any other print publication’s audience in the area. Your ad will be lasting, in a publication readers keep for reference and share with others, and each printed copy of your ad will be seen as we work to make sure all copies of Two-Lane Livin’ reach a reader’s hands.

NOW is the time to begin using this new outlet to market your business in Central West Virginia. Establish your business name and brand in a publication that has been embraced by readers in the region — but is not yet cluttered with other ads. Now is the perfect time to establish your business as a Two-Lane Livin’ business, and to be embraced by the Two-Lane Livin’ followers.

Use Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine to make your connection to the heart of West Virginia.

Call 304-354-9132 or visit our web site.

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