By Nanette Dillard, Travel Beyond Borders Magazine and WIPP Mentoring Program Participant
For me, being mentored is an exciting process where you receive validation for ideas you conceive that are little outside of the mainstream. As an independent publication, techniques commonly used by large national titles are often too pricey or too ineffective. Solutions, economical ones, are the call of the day and, with some strategic emphasis, highly do-able.
My mentors are all formidable folks with some hefty credentials. Bill McKay of Direct Media was able to shed a lot of light for me on the daunting world of mailing lists. Siara Nazir of CMP Media is a whiz at newsstand and was able to break it down for me into manageable chunks, giving me an idea of how optimal circulation can be achieved. Mita Ponce of Red Castle group, also a WIPP board member, has lots of experience in putting together a compelling Table of Contents. I look forward to getting started with my other two mentors, Linda Blair (newsstand) and Catherine Flynn (subscriptions) rounding out the group and strengthening my mentorship foundation.
The most exciting aspect of this program has been looking at my publication through other people's eyes. Together, we tackle many difficult publishing questions with a view towards the real-world that is not too idealistic, but allows for creativity. This has proven to be key in some of the decisions I have made in the time since I began working with my mentors and encourages me to develop a permanent advisory board for the magazine for such a purpose.
