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Ready to see your travel story or photo in print? There’s a new travel magazine that exists solely to help that happen.
The cover of Everywhere magazine’s premiere Jan/Feb issue says it all: “The new magazine made by you. Created by the world’s smartest travel experts—our readers.”
The submission process seems pretty easy: after you’ve written your story and shot your photos, upload them to their website. The online community makes the first round of cuts, then the editors make the final cuts.
Those whose stories or photos are chosen for print get $100 and a one-year subscription to the magazine. Their Contribute page lists what they’re looking for—whether specifically for the next issue (Slow Travel, Copenhagen, Miami) or recurring (Roadside Attractions, Hotel Window).
Some upsides for the writer: you can submit your finished story rather than having to pitch your story idea. And because it’s a start-up magazine, you’ll probably have less competition.
But beyond that, I like the spin that the new magazine puts on the publishing world. Rather than competing with the web, the magazine actually plays off it—pulling info via the web and using the online community to make the printed version work.
The magazine’s CEO/Publisher, Paul Cloutier, puts it this way:
“Many people believe the web is going to kill off print magazines, but we think just the opposite: By combining the vitality and depth of the Internet with the tactile, inspirational quality of print, we want to make magazines more relevant than ever before.”
The magazine may have a small distribution, since I spotted it in a bookstore only recently, several weeks after its debut. Overall, it’s a smart-lookin’ magazine with a strong format and design. I thought that some of the writing could’ve used a bit more punch, but by the same token I liked the easy nature of the stories “America by Biodiesel” and “Proper Snow Cave Etiquette.” I’ll be looking out for the next issues.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Thanks for the heads-up!
February 24th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Fun in Rome is one of the best travel company of Rome.
It provide the most popular walking and bus tours, and hop on hop off service.
They are so helpful, giving tourist information and travel suggestion for free.
They provide as well as shuttle to the airport and city transfer.
July 5th, 2008 at 1:09 am
The Shuklas have been looking for a bride for their son for over two years now. Local marriage bureaus, newspapers and even their family networks haven’t helped them find the perfect girl.
They are now considering turning to the Internet - they’ve heard of these huge databases of prospective brides, available at the press of a button. Trouble is, the Shuklas aren’t computer literate, nor do they have access to the Internet.
That’s the cue for the entry of Hema Banka, a Indore-based housewife who has taken on the franchise for an offline centre of one of the leading web-based matrimonial services.
At Banka’s matrimonial bureau, trained tech savvy staff will help the Shuklas navigate the information highway, post their son’s details and scan the available databases for suitable matches.
The organised matrimonial business in India is worth about Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion). Until a few years ago, it operated mainly as a loose network of friends, astrologers, family priests and so on.
Of course, a few bureaus did exist, but the industry really took off after the launch of online matrimonial services like Shaadi.com (part of the People Interactive Company) , BharatMatrimony in the late 1990s , Shadilagn.com (Shadilagn Web Services, since Feb 2003, An ISO 9001:2000 Certified) , Jeevansathi.com , simplymarry.com (A Times Group portal)
As “real” bureaus rushed to set up virtual counterparts, the online matrimonial matchmaking business grew - to about Rs 90 crore (Rs 900 million), at last estimate.
Meanwhile, a couple of years ago, the Shadilagn.com started the cascade created brick-and-mortar versions of their Internet businesses, setting up centres that help them reach out to a wider audience profile. This was probably critical, given that marriages in India are usually “arranged” by the older generations, who may not be comfortable with technology.
Now, the business model has evolved further. Shadilagn.com is looking to housewives and retired people to help expand their business. The brick-and-mortar model will expand primarily through franchises sold to this group.
Accordingly, initial investment in the franchise operation has also been pegged at an affordable Rs 50,000.00 to 2,50,000.00 and office space requirements kept at 600-800 sq ft. In the next two years, Shadilagn.com plans to expand its centres to 100.
Housewives and retirees as potential business partners is a carefully thought-out strategy. Offline centres are most likely to be visited by parents of prospective brides and grooms (studies show that less than 20 per cent of website traffic is from parents seeking matches for their children).
It was felt that this group would probably be more comfortable knowing an older person was in charge of the centre; women, in particular, would be better equipped to deal with sensitive issues like marriage, and offer personalised advice to parents.
The difference in services, he points out, starts with the information upload. Keeping in mind the target profile, Shaadi.com gives detailed information on individual tastes and preferences, such as hobbies, interests and so on.
Further, to maintain a personal relationship and gain consumers’ confidence, the companies are looking at local marketing and media spends.
Shadilagn.com, which has an huge marketing budget, has tied up with local newspapers and provides editorial content for matrimonial columns. follows, in addition to organising events, advertising through filers and outdoor hoardings and FM Radio.
“The local promotions help us not just in increasing brand visibility, but also in building a strong brand identity,” says Devesh Bajpai, CEO Shadilagn.com. Incidentally.
But then, online matrimony remains big business. This year, it will grow to over Rs 125 crore (Rs 12500 million),
The focus on the online business continues - value adds like SMS Matrimony Service, 24-call centres, online reference checks, online horoscope checks and so on are already on offer. Shadilagn.com has now launched a newspaper, which offers advice and information on wedding rituals, trousseau planning and even counselling.
The idea now is to club the online and offline services by offering combined services and thereby increasing their visibility. For entrepreneurs like Banka and parents like the Shuklas, that’s just about a perfect match.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Arabic Lessons in Morocco - Immerse in Arabic in Temara
Enjoy Our Cultural Excursions
International Language Lab Center is located in the heart of Morocco,
the beautiful coastal capital of Morocco. It has been established in
recent years to meet the demands of the worldwide renewed call to learn
Arabic, which has resulted from the increased global importance of Arabic
in the social and professional spheres. International Language lab Center
takes pride to be the only Center in Morocco exclusively devoted to
promote Arabic as a foreign language to students from all
around the world. We hereby invite you to come to Morocco to learn Arabic
in Temara, and to discover and enjoy the long and amazing history of
Morocco and to become acquainted with the people of Morocco.
There are 6 courses offered at three levels in Modern Standard Arabic MSA and
Colloquial Moroccan Arabic MCA: Beginning (I and II), Intermediate (I and II)
and Advanced (I and II).
Via I.L.L, you will have the opportunity to rapidly acquire Arabic through
an immersive and communicative curriculum.
Student placement is assessed based on their Arabic study background,
communication skills, and writing skills during a registration
questionnaire / form and one-to-one interview.
Providing a wide variety of interation / contact with the surrounding
culture as well as opportunities for religious and cultural studies is a
top priority for I.L.L Center.