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American Horse Publications - Your Equine Media Connection

By Diana De Rosa, AHP Individual Member and Director

As members of the American Horse Publications when we think of publications and the media it's our organization that comes to mind, but what are we doing to get others to feel the same way.  We all know that AHP is an organization which represents equine publishers (both print and online) and the freelancers who write and photograph for them.   Its members also include businesses and PR professionals who want to network with those media.  That gives us a wealth of people we can all reach out to educate about the benefits of being a member of this organization.

So think about what you as a member can do to help increase our membership.  Why not contact those who you feel should be members and suggest they attend our annual seminar.  This year, "Hoofprints in the Sand" takes place June 16-18 at the Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa in San Diego, CA.  During this three-day event they'll have a chance to learn about the business side of the publishing industry and sharpen their writing, editing and photographing skills.  They will also be witness to some of the nation's most talented equine writers, photographers and designers at a variety of awards presentations and have a chance to rub elbows with the people who win those awards.

The annual AHP seminar is where freelancers can make invaluable contacts and learn how to improve their skills.  Publishers can gain knowledge in areas such as making your business more profitable as well as tips on improving design and layout.  For businesses, AHP membership offers the opportunity to meet the media and network the best way to forge a good working relationship.  PR professionals have a chance to talk in person with the media they want to reach.

This is a not-to-miss industry specific event for those who are involved in the equine world.  While the opportunity to learn is paramount, the chance to network and share knowledge is even more valuable.

Some additional benefits that come with being an AHP member are that you can submit two press releases a month to be sent out to its 600+ member e-list.  Members receive a monthly e-newsletter with tips on such topics as social media, ways to improve your business, publishing ideas and more. 

Perhaps it is the members themselves who can best explain the benefits of joining the American Horse Publications.

"For us, the newsgroup is a great way to keep track of the horse industry as a whole, in interests, issues, events, you name it.  The seminars are a steal for staff professional development and industry networking, in everything related to putting together our publications, our websites and marketing initiatives. Staff gets exposure to big-picture publishing and media trends and can see them applied to the horse industry, and it's all at a price we can budget for.   The contest is a way to test ourselves, professionally, to get our work judged and commented on so we can get a good idea of what to work on. It's really great to see what everyone else is doing, too," commented Christine Hamilton, Editor of The American Quarter Horse Journal.

There are also special opportunities for youth as the AHP offers a $750 travel award to three students to attend the annual seminar.  In addition the AHP organizes an internship handbook listing opportunities for students.

So, do you know a journalist, photographer, media outlet, publisher, PR professional, company or even a college or high school student who is not a member?  If so, why not reach out to them and suggest they consider being part of this worthwhile organization.

Publishing News You Can Use 

E-Media Strategist : A Controlled-Circ App Strategy

By Eric Shanfelt

Published by Publishing Executive

March 2011

As the popularity and hype of the iPad and other tablet devices grow, many publishers are trying to figure out what their magazine app strategies should be. READ MORE  

Bonnier Spins Off Mag+ App Platform

New company Moving Media+ offering the creation tool for free.

By Bill Mickey

Published on Audience Development.com
4/06/2011

On Monday, Bonnier officially launched a spin-off company called Moving Media+ which will be offering the Mag+ app creation tool to any publisher that wants to use it as a free download. The app reader and continued services, however, come at a cost. READ MORE 

The Content Marketing Revolution

Content marketing is hot but how does it compare as a business?

By Matt Kinsman

Published by Folio

4/07/2011

Each year the publishing world seems to become enamored with a new strategy that will redefine the industry. READ MORE
  

Magazine Launches Double in Q1 2011

MediaFinder.com reports 54 new launches, while 24 publications fold.

By Stefanie Botelho

Published by Folio

4/11/2011

Things are looking up for the magazine industry, if results from magazine database MediaFinder.com are any indication. During 2011's first quarter, 54 new magazine titles were launched, more than double the number (25) of publications that debuted in first quarter 2010.  

Five Reasons Why Users Are Underpaying for Your Content

Scout Analytics offers "predictive pricing" service for content licensing deals.

By Matt Kinsman

Published by Folio

4/13/2011

Scout Analytics, a specialist in digital revenue optimization (including calculating revenue-per-visitor for publisher sites), has introduced a new service called Demand Map that helps publishers determine what to charge for online content. READ MORE
  

By Jim Sturdivant

Published by Publishing Executive
4/14/2011 

Samir "Mr. Magazine" Husni wrapped up the Magazine Executive Roundtable at the Publishing Business Conference & Expo by asking about the "future glass" - the level of optimism panelists felt about the future of their business. READ MORE
 
Ryan Dohrn Offers Free Webinar to AHP Members
Ryan Dohrn, Brain Swell Media, has recorded another webinar for AHP members. This is 100% free and ready to view 24x7.  All an AHP member has to do is provide their email and they can watch it at no charge.  This topic is using Facebook to generate revenue!  HERE'S THE LINK

New Ideas for Directories

How b-to-b publishers are moving beyond the "13th Issue".
By Stefanie Botelho
Published by Folio
4/05/2011
B-to-b publishers have long relied on directories (or buyer's guides, depending on company terminology) to produce revenue and establish themselves as a valuable resource to their readers. Now, b-to-b publishers are finding new ways to add value to their directories, even as print is challenged (and often succeeded) by digital, and Google dominates the search market. READ MORE 

The HTML5 Question: To App or Not To App?
A look at the advantages--and very really challenges--of working in HTML5
By John Parsons
Published by Folio
4/13/2011
As publishers puzzle over their tablet strategies, a larger question will complicate matters during the next few years. Since tablets and smartphones all have built-in browsers, why not skip native apps altogether and publish in HTML or its next incarnation: HTML5? The question has technical implications for magazine publishers and their production and IT staff. It also raises business issues to which publishers must pay close attention. READ MORE 
 

Tynt Offers Tracking Tools for Publishers

Suite focuses on copy and paste user behavior, outbound keyword tracking 

By Stefanie Botelho 

Published by Folio 

4/13/2011 
A San Francisco-based company called Tynt is determined to allow publishers the opportunity to take full advantage of copy and paste user action. READ MORE

Who Judges the Awards Contest?

By Chris Brune, Executive Director

Every member who enters the annual awards contest hopes to be named a finalist. And when your name isn't on the list, you are disappointed. That's where the second part of the annual awards contest comes into play... judges' critiques. Every entry in the AHP contest received a written comment from the judge except in the Merial Human-Animal Bond Award and Alltech A+ Equine Journalism Award. These comments can often explain the reasons the entry didn't make the cut, but more importantly may provide advice for improvement.

I have co-ordinated this contest for many years and in recent years have developed a list of professionals who I feel are dedicated to the task and qualified to judge a number of classes. What you might not realize is that although some of these individuals have judged the AHP awards contest numerous times over the years, each judge is given a different set of classes each year to keep their viewpoints fresh. This group really enjoys judging the AHP competition and sometimes go the distance in demonstrating just how important your entries are. For example, let me share this story about one judge's dedication to the task.

"A tornado moved near our house in the wee hours of this morning. (We're fine; just a few trees down nowhere near the house and barn.) We ran to our safe room, grabbing the things we least wanted to see get blown away: teenage son, cats, dogs, laptops and, of course, the American Horse Publications entries."
 

A list of the 2011 judges will be included in the awards program.