well hopefully, when my wrists heal up a bit more and I get forging again, I`d like to be able to see if i can get a pic in a magazine...but I have no idea how to go about it....any help?

It depends on what you mean by "get into". Most of the magazines have a page or two that show makers along with their addresses, etc. and a picture of their work. To get in there you just need a picture and a stamp. The better the picture, the better chance of them putting it in. You want to make sure you give them all of the details on the knife and your complete contact information. Then you merely send that to the editors of each magazine. Several photographers that handle knife photography on a regular basis even take care of the submission process for you as a service. Then be prepared for a wait. The lead time for most of the magazines is often six or more months. You can send as many as you like. The one thing to remember is that a poor photograph is often just put aside.
Most of the editors may also start a file on you or a file on the certain type of knife and put the photograph in there. Then they may use it when the need arises. They may have an article about a certain type of knife and use your shot for that. I know from a recent issue I had shots I had taken four months ago and also shots taken two years ago in the same issue.
Now if you are talking about an article on your shop or just you, that is a completely different ballpark. The best way to get that much notice is to build up your quality and name. It takes alot of work but you want to be know for your knives, not your copy of another makers knives. You may show an influence from another maker but you want to add a good bit of yourself to it.
Don't be timid, if you see an editor or writer at a show, introduce yourself or even give them a call or letter. I know they all are some of the most laid back people I have ever met. They are the type to get out and try what they are writing about and none of them sit up in ivory towers.
The most important part is to realise that it is all a big circle. Magazines need makers and companies to write about as much as the makers need the magazines. Both writers and makers need the people to buy and read those magazines. Of course we poor photographers fit in there.
I almost forgot. I have been told that they prefer 5x7 color prints. They may print it in black and white but they want the option of going either way. Also, digital is ok but they again prefer a print from the digital file instead of a disc. Some of them just like to be able to lay it out on their desk as they are doing the layout work and a cd just doesn't work that well. So if you use a digital camera make sure you can get a good print.

Hey Ron, take a look at the current Tactical Knives. Ten of the fifteen knife photos in the "Tactical Custom" section were taken by Mr. Hoffman. Good post Terrill. Look forward to seeing you in Winston.

Regards,
Mike Snody
www.snodyknives.com

I think also a good person who can tell you Ron is Dexter Ewing.

Ron,

The question really is, are you willing to be proactive to insure you get in a magazine?

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur!

proactive? I`m not sure I understand.Tell me more!

Ron,

By proactive, I mean are you willing to do what is necessary to get into magazines. Primarily to put in the time and spend the money.

Les

You will find that there are people out there willing to promote you for a price but you can do it for yourself if you have the time and determination. Terril about covered it all, take quality photos, make up bio, send into magazine with full info on the knives and wait. There is a lag time of about 6 months between closing date for the magazine issue and the newstand date. Repeat the process as often as you can get new photos together. If you put your name in front of the editor frequently enough with interesting product and photos you will get coverage.

I will be willing to do whatever it takes...even to get a weee picture and write up as in "the knife maker showcase" in blade magazine.

I may be a bit of a cynic but I am wondering if advertisers stand a better chance of a mention in the magazines, especially if they aren't well known.





ghostdog

Advertising helps in some cases but is no guarantee of coverage, unique, high quality product professionally photographed and supplied on a regular basis will go farther than advertising. KI used to support their advertisers but with the change of editors the practice went out the window.....they have fewer advertisers now.

Ron,

George is partial right and wrong.

In an earlier post he wrote:

"You will find that there are people out there willing to promote you for a price but you can do it for yourself if you have the time and determination".

I am fairly involved in the custom knife business and I do not know of a single PR person who will promote your product for a price.


Before we go forward, lets do Business 101 class here.

Lets talk about Price.

George says "You will find that there are people out there willing to promote you for a price".

George correct me here if I am mis-stating your intention. But the way it reads, you feel there are people out there who can get your picture in a magazine, however you will have to pay them money.

Again, George is partially correct again. We will talk about that a little later.

Price for the most part is determined by the cost to the maker.

There are two general types of cost:

1) Actual cost= Example, the cost of materials and labor directly associated with producing the knife.

2) Associataed costs= Example, Advertsing, Shows, etc. This things that affect the cost of the knife but are not incurred when making the knife.

Ron, as George states you can do this yourself.

Lets look at the basic procedure for this using Georges "do it yourself" kit.

First, Photography. Yes, you have to pay for this. Whether you use Terrill, Point 7, Weyer, etc.

Second, Associated Costs! Yes, you now have to write your bio, make copies, and mail this information along with a copy of the photos directly to the Editor of the magainze. It's best to send it registered to insure it gets to the editor.

So now we have the following associated costs:

1) Time out of the shop to write the bio and make copies
2) Time out of the shop to go to the post office and send 4 registered packages to the editors.

Also, don't forget another cost. The knife being photographed is out of your inventory. This is where the cost of money kicks in.

You do not have the knife being photographed available for immediate sale. If your not at a show, then you have shipping both ways.

As you can see here even doing it yourself there is a "Price".

As George pointed out "You will find that there are people out there willing to promote you for a price"

He is of course correct, some of those people are:

The Photographer,
The Post Office or whatever shipper you use
The company who sold you your computer two write the letter on and make the copies.
The Printer who produced the letter head you printed your stationary you put your letter on and of course the business card you send to each editor.

Yes, there are a lot of people who will help you for a "Price".

BTW, I take it you have to pay an ISP a monthly basis to be able to get this information. Yes, that is also an associated cost.

Now, lets talk about that culprit who will charge you money just to give you information to get your knife in a magazine. That would be me!

Earlier this year I posted that for $100 I would tell you what to do and guarantee (yes, someone can guarantee that you will get your knife in a magainze). I had three makers email me...3.

Doing it the way others have recommend may get you in a magazine. However, what if it takes sending information in 3 or 4 times.

As we all know, those photographs aren't cheap.

There is someone or a group of individuals who can get you in magazines. These individuals are Custom Knife Dealers. Out of this group there is one Entreprenuer who has figured it out.

This individual in the last 4 years has had 47 knives featured in 3 Magazines, 7 articles and 1 cover. Later this year the 8 more makers this indvidual represents will be featured in his 8th article. Giving the makers this dealer represents 55 photos in 54 months.

Lets look at the "Price" the makers had to pay.

1) They had to make these specific knives. Of course they are knife makers so they would be making knives anyway.

2) They had to give the dealer a discount. Again, they would normally do this.

Of course this discount is balanced against the fact the knife maker no longer does the following:

Pays for photography
Pays for postage or shipping
Pays for time out of the shop writing a bio and sending letters to the editor.

Lets look at some benefits for the maker:

Depending on which ad agency you talk to, the makers I got into the magazines (especially those big 3-5 page articles) received Thousands of Dollars worth of advertising.

They were paid for every knife they make (no waiting for the knife to return from the photographer to sell it).

They picked up additional sales due directly to the article.

These makers were also featured in my 1/3 page ad in Tactical Knives .....for FREE.

Additionally, if as some of them did not, they gained additional exposure on my web site.

In the past 4 years no other dealer in the world has been responsible for as many makers being featured in so many magazines and articles.

In the past 4 years no other maker has had this many photos in magazines. Most makers dont have 55 different styles of knives.

For those of you who think this is bragging, it is not. These are facts.

I write these facts to show everyone reading this that I know what I am talking about. 55 knives featured in magazines is not done by accident.

This is why at the end of my signature block I write Custom Knife Entrepreneur.

I write this to show you that no matter what there is a "Price". What you need to determine is what is the best "Cost" benefit to you.

With all the being said, here is your FREE $100 worth of information.

1) Have the knive professionally photographed

2) Contact the ad agency that represents the magainze you want to be in.

3) Send your bio, personal photo, knife photo's and the fact that you have received your advertising rate card. If possible you would like to know if the magazine is going to use a photo. So you can work with the ad agency to insure your ad is in that issue.

Yes, Ghostdog advertisers do get preferential treatment. Remember, magazines support those who support them.

As for a guarantee follow my three steps and that will give you your absolute best chance.

BTW, did I mention that I have an article in the works for next year already. Should feature another 5-8 knives.

If Alex doesnt mind I want to put in a little plug here for Tactical Knives.

I ran my first ad in Septemeber 1996 and have never missed an issue since. That first ad was directly responsible for generating $18,000 worth in sales. In 6 years of advertising I still havent even come close to spending $18,000.

If you make a tactical style knife and do not advertise in this magazine...you are WRONG.

As for KI, George is right, things have changed there. Bruce Voyles is now the editor. What George is failing to grasp is that just because the Canadian makers do not get the favorable treatment that they used to. Does not mean that KI is not a professional magazine.

George, you need to give Bruce a chance. He was brought into a war zone and is trying to sort things out. It took 4 issues of KI to come out before Bruce was the actual editor of that magazine.

Bruce knows what he is doing.

Same for Steve Shackelford at Blade and Cam Hopkins at American Handgunner. These guys are always looking for new makers who can give their subscribers excellent product.

But guys be fair to them, if you want them to help you, then you need to be willing to step up and help them.

Remember, you advertising costs are tax deductable ( you save 1/3rd of the costs in actual dollars...hell that is a free ad). Also, if you spend $1,200 a year in advertising and you pick up 10 orders (that you would not have gotten), the advertising, in most cases has paid for itself.

So Ron, you are willing to do whatever it takes. Fine, contact me offline and I will put you in touch with the right people.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entreprenuer

Hey Les,
Thanks for clearing that up. I was a little confused about the post that George made myself.
I followed the advice you gave me a year ago on this subject and guess what happened. I have had numerous photos in 7 different magazine editions as well as both knife annuals.
In case I never thanked you let me do so now. Thanks.

Regards,
Mike Snody

Btw you were right about TK as well.

Hi Mike,

You are welcome. No need to thank me. Like Ron you asked the question and I pointed you in the right direction.

George is "old school" business guy. Nothing wrong with that.

But I think pointing out that everything has a price shows makers that "old school" thinking of "eventually someone will put me in a magazine" because of the amount of knife makers out there.

Can be hazardous to ones advancement in the mind of the customer.

The real old school of thought said that to pay for advertising was akin to telling customers that you needed their business. That thinking was based on Ego, not sound business decisions.

Mike, you are that unique combination among custom knife makers. You have talent, business sense and you are willing to be proactive to advance your career and you more importantly your position in the minds of the custom knife buyers.

Fortunately for you, you are in the minority. Makes it that much easier for you to get noticed.

Thanks for posting. I think for some makers it is better to hear about the success of the method we discussed from a maker who has put it into action.
Then from a dealer.

See you in WS Mike.

Les

Thanks for your comments Les. I am old school. If I can do something myself I usually do.

KI is a fine magazine but with the change in editorial policy I am not advertising as much as I used to.

If you have the spare cash laying around, hire Les to do the job for you. Get your bio written, collect up your professional quality photos and send them to Les for submission to the magazines.

Hi George,

You missed my point(s). I don't submit photo's and bios to magazines, for money or otherwise.

So I am not for hire in that regards.

The only knives I represent to magazines are exclusives of Robertson's Custom Cutlery.

Americans (and it appears Canadians as well) are very independent. They prefer to do things on their own terms and in their own way and time.

One of the new paradiams of E-commerce is B2B (business to business) interaction. This of course is nothing but an upgrade on Edward Demings TQM teachings.

That is for the most efficient use of resources, you build a team. The Japanese have taken this to level of almost an art form among many of their manufacturing firms.

In regards to knives, it would be the equivelant of having a advertising team. A photographer, Ad Agency and Magazine, who understand that your knives are to be featured on a regular basis.

Did you know that many of the magazines know which articles they are going to run almost a year out?

That if you work with an agency on a regular basis they will tell you what and when these articles will run.

Example, you make drop point hunters. You find out XXY magainze is going to run an article 6 months from in their June issue.

Part of advertising in a magazine gives you the right to send pictures to the editor and ask for at least a photo submission in that article. Editors like professional grade photographs, you support the magazine. You will probably get your picture in the magazine.

Do you understand how press releases work? If you do, this is another advantage of being on the "Team".

What about knifemaker showcases, Ron you said you wanted to be in that. If you are part of the team with Blade, they will feature you in that.

I know some makers do this, but I don't understand why others don't. Again the team concept. Does your organization or Guild buy materials in bulk from one supplier? All of you know or should know that the more steel you buy at once, the cheaper it is. Same goes for screws, pivot pins, etc.

I just threw that in to show another way to reduce your costs and increase your profit margin. This does not cost you a dime.

A large co-op buying bigger quantities of materials from anyone always gets better service and a better price.

I know George will like this, because co-op are old old school. The US Farmers have had one since the 1800's. I saw this for the first time when I was stationed in Tenessee.

So thanks for the support George. However, just follow the steps I mentioned. Also, remember that the words "rate card" should become a standard part of your vocabulary

Les

well now that is the second time i`ve tryed to contact you off line and still no answer..I gotta be doing something wrong?