Tuesday, November 10, 2009 MagaScene Newsletter 65

Web Words: How to Engage Both Readers and Search Engines

Q & A with Lisa Manfield


Lisa Manfield knows her words—and how to use them online to increase traffic, search engine optimization, and ultimately, your brand identity. A Vancouver-based editor and marketing expert, Manfield comes to Calgary and Edmonton (November 16th & 18th) to untangle the web and show you simple tricks that will make the most of your magazine’s website.

Register now for Web Words: How to Engage Both Readers and Search Engines. Check out event details and Lisa’s bio. AMPA members/students: $35; non-members: $45. To register, email ampa@albertamagazines.com or phone 403-262-0081.

AMPA: Why does writing/editing for the web matter?
Lisa Manfield: More and more readers (and advertisers) are migrating online. Having an engaging and competitive web presence is critical to capturing your readers and to finding new ones.

What payoff comes from doing so?
More opportunities for readers to interact with your brand, more opportunities for advertisers to reach your readers, new avenues for growing your audience and quite frankly, readers in this day and age expect their favourite brands to be online. If you’re not, they will go elsewhere.

What's the biggest mistake you see on most magazine websites?
A lack of awareness about online reader patterns and usability. Readers do not interact with content online the same way they do with print content. A few other big mistakes include lack of regard for the power of search engines and not tracking your site’s key metrics.

Why should people come to your sessions? What will they learn?
Many magazine publishers lack the resources necessary to dedicate toward ensuring that their website is effective. However, this workshop will help them to understand the simple ways they can adapt their copy for maximum effect online.

NEWS


A Fond Farewell to Legacy Magazine

After 14 years of publishing, Legacy, Alberta’s heritage, arts and culture magazine, has announced that its Winter 2009 issue will be its final one. The quarterly publication was an important voice for Alberta arts, taking an in-depth look at the necessity of culture, while celebrating artistic triumphs of local artists. AMPA asked publisher and editor Barb Dacks about what the future holds.

AMPA: What was your favourite part of the magazine?
Barb Dacks: Working with and publishing great pieces by established writers such as Thomas Wharton, Myrna Kostash, Sid Marty, Aritha van Herk, Marty Chan and more, by experienced journalists such as Paula Simons, Bruce Weir, Ron Chalmers, Stuart Adams, Gordon Morash, by emerging writers such Carolynn Semeniuk, John and Nicole Munro, Jordan Abel, and by some of Alberta's best poets including Tim Bowling, Angela Kublik, Ian LeTourneau and Dymphny Dronyk, Marilyn Dumont and Shawna Lemay. I started the magazine because I love writing about and editing Alberta stories and that has continued to be my greatest pleasure throughout the 14 years.

AMPA: Any 'last words'?
BD: I appreciate having a wonderful team, including associate publisher Gurston Dacks, designer Mark Dutton, associate editors Naomi K. Lewis and Eva Radford, copy editor Ron Chalmers, general managers Mary Oakwell, Liz Grieve, and Yoko Sekiya, and advertising manager Andrea Kopylech. And I'm grateful for the support of subscribers, advertisers, donors, and funders.

Legacy's not disappearing. We're continuing to sell the current issue and back issues on our website www.legacymagazine.ab.ca. And we'll post details on the site in the coming months about two books we'll be publishing in 2010.

 

Alberta Venture Wins a Canadian Online Publishing Award

On October 26th, eighteen websites were honoured in the first ever Canadian Online Publishing Awards, produced by Masthead. Alberta Venture won the award for “Best Cross Platform” for Albertaventure.com. The awards recognize “excellence in online editorial and innovation by Canadian magazine and website publishers.” Congratulations!

 

 

 

RedPoint Media Group named Alberta’s Top 50 Employers—again

For the second year in a row, RedPoint Media Group, publisher of Avenue Calgary, up!, West and Wine Access magazines has been named one of Alberta’s Top 50 Employers. The winners are chosen by editors at Mediacorp Canada Inc. Highlights of RedPoint’s workplace include: alternative work arrangements such as flexible hours, telecommuting and paid days-off for employees to volunteer with a charity. Congratulations!

 

RAMM Wrap-up

It’s hard to believe that Read Alberta Magazines Month (RAMM) is over. This year’s RAMM saw the AMPA team host 12 events—workshops, panels, film screenings, featured speakers—our most ever. Alberta magazines are on display at Chapters/Indigo stores throughout the province until November 15th, buy one and receive a free gift. You’ll also be entered to win a Canmore getaway at one of two Bellstar Resorts.

Though October was a busy time that involved much schlepping of heavy boxes of magazines, it could not have been done without our wonderful event volunteers, exhibitors, panellists, speakers, and of course: you Alberta magazine readers. So thank you all!

Give us feedback on what you liked and didn’t like about our RAMM events at ampa@albertamagazines.com. See you next October!

EVENTS

Saturday, November 14, 2009
Notebook Magazine Gala & Silent Auction

Planet Ze Design Centre (10055 80 Ave), Edmonton
8:00 pm - 1:00 am

After three years of showcasing the work of hundreds of Edmonton-based artists, writers and curators, Notebook Magazine is hosting a fundraising gala. It will be a celebration of local art, music and food to be held at Planet Ze Design Centre (an amazing warehouse turned art space).


Bid on over 75 pieces of work created by 50 different visual artists from Notebook's pages. This is an opportunity to find perfect and unique gifts for those on your list or for yourself. Witness the work of video artists projecting their work on the huge walls of Planet Ze Design Centre. Meet and mingle with many of the artists in person! Come to hear four musical acts featured on the Great Northern Revival compilation. Enjoy food by Cafe Leva and a cash bar featuring Alley Kat beers.


Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. They are available at Delta Art Supply, the Paint Spot and all Colours Art Supply stores.


Musicians:
Scott Cook (www.scottcook.net)
ido (www.myspace.com/idovanderlaan)
The Low Flying Planes (www.myspace.com/thelowflyingplanes)
The Dana Wylie Band (www.myspace.com/danawylieband)
Video artists to be announced.


November 16, November 18, 2009
Web Words: How to Engage Both Readers and Search Engines

In this workshop, we’ll explore how and why web readers consume online content differently than they do print, and look at best practices for keeping online audiences engaged, including the essential skills of web writing, editing and formatting, and the importance of optimizing your content for search engines. We’ll also take a look at your magazine sites and collectively discuss what works, what could be better and ways to effectively incorporate multimedia into your online mix. So come ready to perform a hands-on review of actual sites, including your own!


About the Speaker
Lisa Manfield has worked in print and online publishing for 13 years as Managing Editor at Orato.com, Marketing Manager at The Tyee, Contributing Editor for Backbone Magazine, Business & Finance editor at Suite101.com, Associate Editor at CGA Magazine and Editor of REALM Magazine. As a publishing consultant, she has developed print and online content, marketing collateral and courseware for CBC TV, the Knowledge Network, WorkSafeBC, the BC and Alberta Magazine Publishers Associations and Magazines Canada. She teaches “Writing and Editing for the Web” and “Marketing Magazines Online” for SFU Writing and Publishing Program and Summer Workshops respectively. She was a member of the editorial collective of Room for eight years and on the Board of Directors (three as VP) for the BC Association of Magazine Publishers.


Lisa came out to the Alberta Magazines Conference this past March, and will add to what she shared with you then, helping you to maximize your websites.


In Calgary:
Monday, November 16
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, 2425 9 Ave SE


In Edmonton:
Wednesday, November 18
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Strathcona Library, 8331 104 St NW, Strathcona Program Room (2nd Floor)


Register now via ampa@albertamagazines.com or 403-262-0081.
AMPA Members/Students (with valid FT status): $35 afterwards; Non-members: $45.

Payment via cheque must be received PRIOR to event to the AMPA office. If payment is $60 or more, we will accept a credit card.


Monday, November 23, 2009
Inject New Life into Your Ad Sales

If you sell advertising for magazines, you need to attend this half-day intensive seminar. Get the goods on developing a sales strategy in this tough economy. We’ll explore how to reach clients, stay on the rate card, handle objections, and build ad sales opportunities inside and outside your magazine. Designed specifically for ad sales people, this seminar ensures you’ll gain a better understanding of how magazine advertising works. Learn the tools of the trade that will help you develop sales strategies—and get the business.


About the Speaker
Gwen Dunant has been in the publishing industry for over 25 years, primarily as an advertising sales consultant. She has sold national and retail advertising space, worked with client publications to develop effective sales tools (such a media kits, rate cards, readership surveys, etc.) and done numerous sales trainings for small to mid-sized publications. She has given seminars at Mags U, MagNet, Ryerson University and many regional associations across Canada. She has played a key role in the development of many professional development programs for Magazines Canada and the Atlantic Magazines Association. She is also the author of “A Short Guide to the Development and Use of Sales Tools for Selling Advertising Space in Canadian Magazines” as well as a contributor to “Small Magazines Advertising – Essentials for Publishers and Sales Representatives”.


Monday, November 23, 2009
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, 2425 9 Ave SE, Calgary
Travel bursaries are available to qualified out-of-Calgary magazine members.


Register now via ampa@albertamagazines.com or 403-262-0081.
AMPA Members: $25 if registered by Nov. 13; $35 afterwards.
Non-members: $35 if registered by Nov. 13; $45 afterwards.
Cash or cheque is preferred. If payment is $50 or more, we will accept a credit card.


Friday, December 11, 2009
Taking a hard look: Money-saving strategies for publishers

There is money to be saved in most, if not all, magazine budgets. Of course publishers should pursue efficiency whenever they can; but in hard times, it's even more important to trim wisely and well. In this seminar, magazine consultant D. B. Scott will examine the typical magazine budgets and explore the kinds of hard questions that need to be asked by the people who manage them. Where is the greatest potential for saving money? And areas where it is penny-wise, but pound foolish to cut? The seminar will provide an opportunity to talk about attending magazines' particular challenges and to identify at least one area everyone can dig into when they get back to the office.


About the Speaker
D. B. Scott (David), the President of Impresa Communications Limited, has built a solid reputation as a consultant, writer, blogger, teacher, market researcher, publisher and editor. His concentration and specialty is the magazine industry. He has been called on for advice in such critical areas as strategic planning, content development, marketing, launches and relaunches, redesigns, audience surveys and focus groups, meeting facilitation and review and development of production and publishing systems. He is a member of Magazines Canada' professional development committee and its Travelling Consultants program. He teaches The Business of Magazine Publishing at Ryerson University in the Chang School for Continuing Education.


Friday, December 11, 2009
1:00 pm to 4pm
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, 2425 9 Ave SE, Calgary
Travel bursaries are available to qualified out-of-Calgary magazine members.


Register now via ampa@albertamagazines.com or 403-262-0081.
AMPA Members: $25 if registered by Nov. 30; $35 afterwards.
Non-members: $35 if registered by Nov. 30; $45 afterwards.
Cash or cheque is preferred. If payment is $50 or more, we will accept a credit card.


February 5 & 6, 2010
The Future of Story

Star gazers, alert! Meet a Gemini Award winner and predict The Future of Story at MacEwan’s School of Communications on Friday, February 5th and Saturday, February 6th, 2010.
What Happens Next? The Future of Story will explore and examine issues that affect the future of storytelling and narrative at a time when the use of social media technologies is exploding, and traditional story forms are struggling to stay current.


The conference will feature Corus Entertainment Distinguished Lecturer Hart Hanson, the Gemini Award-winning Canadian film and television writer and producer, and creator of the long-running Fox Television series Bones. Hanson will speak about the shifting role of narrative in an evolving literary environment.


As well, special guest Jack Hodgins, a Governor General’s Award-winning novelist, will read from his soon-to-be published new novel entitled The Master of Happy Endings.
Hear also from local stars who will share their perspectives about key issues facing the literary, media, and communication professions in the 21st century. A tentative line up of panel discussions includes:


*The Next New Journalism
*Post-Reality TV – Moving Beyond Dog, the Bounty Hunter and Tommy Lee goes to College
*Selling It in Hard Times – The Future of Advertising When the Boom Goes Bust
*Telling It in Cynical Times – The Future of Corporate Narrative
*The 21st Century Writer – Or, How to Chart a Career in Letters through Murky Times
*From Quill Pen to Kindle – The Future of the Book
*Setting the Stage – Stories for Tomorrow’s Theatre
*Alternative Narratives – Breaking with Convention – Advertising, and Corporate Narrative...


Register today at tixonthesquare.ca/event/run/detail/124 for your opportunity to network with prominent writers, film makers, and other communicators!
Attend Friday evening, all day Saturday or both – there’s flexibility to suit your schedule.
For conference details, visit MacEwan.ca/soc .

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Editor - IMPACT Magazine
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Starting Date: January 01, 2010

The rare opportunity of Editor has come available at IMPACT Magazine, “Western Canada’s Best Source of Independent Sports Information”. In its eighteenth year of publishing, this well-respected publication seeks an experienced, highly professional Editor, with a strong interest and knowledge in the areas of sport performance, fitness and health.

The Editor is responsible for developing and seeking out fresh, new editorial 6 issues per year to ensure original, high quality, research-based content, breaking and topical news, working with a highly respected group of industry contributors, being the ‘eyes and ears of the industry’ to meet IMPACT standards of being the ‘must read’ in the sports performance, fitness and health industry.

Duties would also include:

- Overseeing all freelance contributions and communication
- Writing of cover stories
- Working with and establishing ongoing budget with Publisher
- Working closely with the Art Director
- Maintaining editorial calendar
- Working with IMPACT team to create added value for revenue stream
- Consulting on ideas and approaches for features and departments
- Working with photographers and illustrators in coordination with content
- Managing editorial content for the Web
- Communicating/managing reader and client requests as it pertains to editorial content
- On-going research for upcoming editions


Your skills would include:

- Superior copy-editing and writing skills
- Ability to meet firm deadlines; well organized
- Helping to ensure that the magazine is produced on time, with great attention to accuracy, readability, design, and detail
- Working well in a team environment
- Excellent communication skills
- At least five years’ journalism/editing experience in a senior editorial position

Please send your resume to Elaine@impactmagazine.ca no later than November 30, 2009


Production Intern (Coordinator) January 4 to December 31, 2010

Maternity Leave Contract - RedPoint Media Group

Salary: $1600 monthly to start (details below)

RedPoint Media is currently seeking a fourth year intern who needs to complete their final (or final 2) Directed Field Studies and then to continue on to provide Contract Maternity Leave Coverage beginning January 4, 2010 and finishing December 31, 2010 (start date may be earlier). Applicants for the position will provide a large variety of services within the Production department including, but not limited to the following:

1. Production Coordinator for the following magazines: West, up!, Prelude, Ballet, Opera, Broadway Across Canada Playbills. In this capacity you will do the following:

- create and update flatplans

- process / track / build / preflight ads and provide proofs to the traffic coordinators

- place ads within the document, preflight document and provide high-rez proofs

- provide some photo research and design work for some publications

2. Admin support for RedPoint Media

- format proposals for the Executive Vice President on provided templates

- print and bind final proposals

3. Support for Creative Director / Director of Business Development

- provide production services for occasional internal or corporate projects as directed by the Creative Director or Director of Business Development

Read FULL JOB POSTING for details and how to apply.

 

Editorial Internship (January 4 to April 30, 2010) Wine Access magazine – RedPoint Media Group
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Salary: A monthly $1,525 stipend


Do you consider yourself a bit of a wine buff? If you are interested in the international world of wine and food and would like to become a part of Canada’s only truly national wine and food magazine then you should become an intern for Wine Access.

Wine Access, published six times a year, is a national wine and food magazine with editors and writers spread out across Canada. Our Canadian Wine Annual, published every May, is the definitive guide to all the wineries in Canada. We also run two nationally respected wine competitions, the International Value Wine Awards and the Canadian Wine Awards. Our website has one of the largest wine databases in Canada, and you can be a part of it all.

As the Wine Access intern, you will write, edit, fact-check and help manage content for the Wine Access website. As well, you will be responsible for fact-checking, proofing, photosourcing and writing “Latitudes” for each issue of Wine Access. Other responsibilities include various administrative intern-type tasks, including trafficking items for photo shoots and helping arrange wines for photo shoots and competitions. You may also be required to attend and work at different magazine-related events (including wine tastings and competitions).

RedPoint Media Group is one of Western Canada’s largest independent publishers. Our award-winning magazines include Avenue, Calgary’s city magazine, up!, the in-flight magazine for WestJet, and Wine Access, Canada’s wine and food magazine. The company offers you an exciting, educational and ultimately rewarding experience in the Canadian magazine industry. Visit wineaccess.ca and redpointmedia.ca for more information.

QUALIFICATIONS: A successful candidate will have a post-secondary education in journalism or a related field and an interest in food, wine and wine culture. You write, edit and proofread effectively and have great communication skills, feeling comfortable at events. You are deadline-driven and an independent worker. Your skill set includes fluency in Microsoft Office, Adobe InDesign and/or InCopy and online content management software.

Applicants are also required to submit three writing samples along with a cover letter and resume.
Interested candidates should e-mail their resume and cover letter by no later than Thursday, November 20th, 2009 to: Abby Miller, Managing Editor, Wine Access magazine, at amiller@redpointmedia.ca

RedPoint Media would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this position; however, only those who are considered for an interview will be contacted.

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To UNSUBSCRIBE from MagaScene, please send an email with the subject "UNSUBSCRIBE" to ampa@albertamagazines.com.

MagaScene is written and compiled by Anh Chu. To be in included in the next issue of MagaScene, please send an email to ampa@albertamagazines.com.