Our editor in chief (David Cooperstein) suggested I repost this to these groups. I hope it helps us all to promote gather.
There is much written about connecting, publishing, contributing to discussions (comments) etc. -- everything to do within gather to make it work for you. There isn't enough about making gather work for you outside of gather (in the real world, if you will.) So I thought I would try to fill the void.
Here are some things to do:
1 - Contact your local newspapers and suggest gather as a story. Give them a link to your articles, and email them an invitation to join
2 - Send a letter to the editor extolling the virtues of gather and include the same information
3 - ditto magazine editors and radio talk show hosts
4 - write an article about something local and submit it to the local media. Include your gather email address in the text and give it as contact info too. (as an added bonus, they may pay you!) That's how I got two local columns in our weekly newspapers.
This will build a local buzz about gather and establish you as the expert - the go-to-guy (or gal) - for a story.
Here's how this worked for me:
Edward N. talked about the possibility of Gather having a radio show on NPR of our articles, poems and commentary. I had already pitched my Bilbao/Tapas piece to our local public radio station as an on air essay, but he inspired me to keep thinking along this line, while I waited for two months with no reply.
So I pitched gather as a story to the news director on that station, (see Boycotting Public Radio ) and sent a gather invitation to join. They visited gather (called it addictive - something we already know) and read my articles on Bilbao/tapas - and asked me to read them for an on air essay! Building on that success, I emailed the folks responsible for sending me on European press junkets as a last minute substitute, (see May Cod be With You ) telling them of the radio request. They scheduled me for a trip to Europe 7 weeks from now!
I go from wandering around gather trying to figure out how to make it work for me, (and meeting tons of nice folks while doing that!) to lying on a sunny Mediterranean shore. From the "B" list to the "A" list because I took the time to promote gather within my community, but outside of gather.
OK - I had the contacts - because I worked to build them. And, yes, I had the content (notice I write non-fiction, hint hint ) so when the opportunity presented itself I was perpared. Good Fortune doesn't just "happen". I did work hard to be in the right place at the right time, and I had the sense to know when and where that was! You can too.
Most Importantly - have fun while you're doing it!
I hope this "model" is as successful for you. It certainly can't hurt. May your hard work be rewarded with Good Luck!
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Comments: 18
Newsweek had a cover story a couiple of weeks ago about Web user-generated content sites. Gather was not mentioned, but i think that publishing lead times was the problem. The Boston Globe did a story on Gather on January 14, a number of us local Bostonians joined during that time, as a result.
Yes, there is a LOT of good stuff here on Gather - stuff that the rest of the media will miss out on, unless WE DO SOMETHING.
Congrats on the European trip !! I'm now off to read your links !!!
sorry, my jealous monster side just came out...
What would be the policy on touting one of my favorite (struggling) magazines, The Oxford American? This is a true southern treasure and has gone under several times and then resurrected itself like a phoenix. I keep throwing money at them because it is so good, but I don't know a proper venue to promote my enthusiasm here.
Thanks for the kind words - Good Luck promoting the Oxford!
I've just finished up my internship this week, and have been wrestling how to go forward with my writing and my new career all at the same time. This article just couldn't have been timed any better for me - thank you!
I think this is great. It really made me think more outside the box. I have been telling family and friends and they have checked out the site, but the outside world, does agoraphobia extend to going outside on the internet? Hmmm...a ponderable.
You have certainly spurred me on to consider your suggestions. Thanks.
Namaste