conservative paper-focus group

Hi folks-

Over the last few days, I have given considerably more thought to the paper and where we are going. A lot of great response. Only this afternoon as Tina and I drove over here to Lake George for some R&R, we talked about aspects of the paper. Some of those aspects included a "government 101" page. One of the reasons  for this "getaway" was to give some thought process to this.

Some of the answers, comments, etc. I have received, I have posted at http://tsbconservative.blogspot.com/ Not all are "favorable" but I welcome them all.

And so the next step is to develop a focus group of sorts. I feel that we need to have 4-7 people to meet monthly (Or perhaps more frequently if it comes to that, but with the internet we can do conferences without leaving the comfort of our homes. All it takes is a $30 camera microphone set up. I will be talking to a friend of mine about video conferencing. DT-you catching this?) Tina and I discussed some names and those names are on this mailing list. So if you feel that you want to be part of the focus group, let me know. Out of that group we will be picking some board members for the legal aspects of this business.

My thinking so far-

• I am actually considering October for a first issue.  In response to the positive feedback received to date.This will require a dose of startup money for the first 2-4 issues.*
• I am considering a 5,000-10,000 paper initial run. Possibly more as we see what comes in to undergird the "educational" line-see below.
• First issue will be a minimum of 16 pages. A lot of this depends on advertising and it may be more
• Money will be used to pay for establishment of company, registration of trade name, insurance, actual printing, graphics and layout, website, distribution, purchase of syndicated columns and cartoons, and related phone and office space. If you are interested in an itemized expense layout, please let me know.
• I would like to make this a biweekly.
• Contacting people in government to consider columns I have received a letter from an executive branch official who said they will write for us.
• It will have a 50 cent selling price. This will be a news stand price. That way people can spend a dollar and get one for a friend!
• It will sell to subscribers.
• It will sell advertising. A paper like this must be sustainable. For those interested in rates for either a business or political advertising, please contact me direct. I assure you the rates are reasonable. The goal is to promote the message of Conservatism.
• Develop a Sales Team A lot of this may be grass roots by simply each person receiving this passing it on to known Conservative Businesses, etc.
• "Support Donors"  giving $100 per month can receive 50 issues per publish date to distribute to offices, businesses, churches, schools, etc.. This falls under our educational process. You will also have the option of a FREE 1/24th of a page.
• A paper that will educate people about government and conservatism.
• Promotion through like minded radio (and yes, there are some out there.)
• Reduced rates in my commercial paper-this paper covers the Connecticut River Valley in VT-NH

*You will notice there is no "salary." As I locate investors and the business builds there will be a salary not only for myself, but for a reporter and an editor.

For those who have already asked...Some immediate "money issues" will be:

• Filing of LLC & Trade Name (Appx. $450 incudes review by attorney) Name is available
• Website $200 for set up and annual hosting
• Phone line setup $150
• Office Space $150 per month including heat
• Insurance -appx. $500 annually
• Layout per issue $250

If you send a check, please make it out to Servant Communications until we register name, etc..

One question that came up is "how does a paper reach a younger generation?" I have given a lot of thought to that. We will have web and podcasts, videos, etc., but I think we miss that young people do read. And while their chosen media may be a podcast, we still have an edge on this.

Some quick statistics. 

• A weekend paper has readership as high as it did 30 years ago. Daily papers have lost. And it is gaining.
• Conservative readers are looking for more.
• Many will read "print" on line. (We will have that option for subscribers.)
• Conservatism is on the rise. An independent poll shows a 8% increase at Fox News from 17% to 25% since 2000 There is a 12% increase in Conservatives who watch.
• 55% of all college students get their news by reading or hearing, not watching.

Some good research shows that:

• Conservatives read more and want more
• "Niche" papers are read more frequently and have higher numbers
• While a USA Today does great, people miss more localized news and information

I think those are good reasons for this paper to succeed.

How you can help-
By letting others you think will be interested know. Spreading the word. Forwarding this email.

Let me know if you have questions.

Sincerely,
Lee

BTW-
I put this list from a group of emails of friends, business acquaintances and the like that I have, but I do not want to waste your time. If you want to be off this list, please send me a letter. My feelings will not be hurt. Or simply write "unsubscribe" in the body of the letter.
Thanks!

Lee Johndrow
88 WCFR Drive
Springfield, Vermont 05156
802-384-3993