News
Welcome! Join us for client publication news and updates, plus explore our thoughts on publishing, marketing, and customer service, as well as new technologies and ideas to make your next project soar!
Nurse Blake’s Magazine On a Mission
Nurse Blake Magazine is four strong issues in and building momentum and readership by the thousands. He’s a man on a mission creating a growing readership and community of nurses to support each other and the profession.
Nurse Blake Magazine
Monarch Media is proud to partner with Nurse Blake and publish Nurse Blake Magazine now reaching more 30,000 readers in print nationwide and thousands more online quarterly. The articles are all the things! From fun and sassy articles by Blake himself to heartwarming and life-altering stories of nurses in the field, it’s truly a great read cover to cover and we hope you enjoy this latest issue.
My Favorite Articles
I’m dying to try Nurse Helena’s recipes. Helena is featured in Off the Clock this issue. Food and care go hand in hand and she’s dishing out the duo in heaping portions for nurses and the nursing community. Find her latest inspired recipes here!
I was so moved by our Nurse of Quarter, Makenzie Beach, and her life-saving story. And, I learned a lot more about living donor transplants and organ donation.
What’s Next?
With Nurse Blake’s continuing education experiences for 2024 taking off at both NurseCon Orlando in September and NurseCon at Sea this last week, we are excited to see what’s next in nursing and how this community can grow and foster support for one another in the name of care for ALL.
– Andrea Exter, cofounder of Monarch Media
Image Format Primer
Ok, it’s been a while since we talked tech! From digital advertising to print display, what is the best image or graphic file format? I know it’s easy to go straight for a PNG with that “quick export” button, but is it the right format for your project?
In case you want to deep dive (but not too deep) to learn about all the usual formats and what they do best, jump now to this great article from Shutterstock. I love the side-by-side visuals so you can see what the file formats look like in comparison to each other.
Are JPGs still king?
JPGs are still the go-to format for non-vector images (photos). Their lossy compression ensures details remain in tact while compressing file size. But beware that the smaller the file size, the less data. Print requires more data, or pixels per inch. Be sure you thoughtfully save because that data disappears unless you have the option to choose “lossless compression” in Adobe. For print, it’s best to stick to a PDF.
You might recall some of the basics about JPGs, but what is a JPG-Large? Well, it’s basically just what it says it is–a larger version of the JPG file. Quick trick: You can rename a .jpg-large to .jpg if you run into issues and it will behave in your latest online software like Canva.
PNG is queen. But, like in chess, she does have limitations.
PNGs are perfect for logos (vector graphics) because they retain detail and can travel with transparency which a JPG cannot do. Say goodbye to white boxes! They do have a larger file size, but typically work fine for websites. And that brings up color space. PNGs are inherently RGB, so you’ll be forced into another file type if you need to convert to CMYK for print.
Print-ready? Then choose PDF.
PDF is the high-quality standard when it comes to print. For example, your printer will ask for you for a PDF in order to print your magazine or publication. Everything inside the publication is tidied into a package and exported to be able to retain its original quality, size, location, etc.
And, PDFs carry interactive capability. Digital publications are born from PDFs which can house links and data like bookmarks for an interactive experience.
Perfectly clear? Call on me for help.
Getting it right so your publication is gorgeous – that’s the job! And I take it seriously. Give me a shout and we’ll help you attain the right file format for the project!
– Andrea Exter, cofounder of Monarch Media
Rebranding: Do No Harm
As a designer, I admit I can get restless with an old design. There are times you want to see change because maybe you’re bored or even a bit fickle when it comes to your branding. I totally get it. There are days I think, “Boy, I would love to get in there and redesign our Monarch logo.” I was younger when I designed it and maybe I could improve upon it now that I’m more experienced and the business is older with certain goals achieved and new goals set.”
But, I hesitate. It’s good to know why you’re doing something. Why would I rebrand when business is bustling and our market is gaining greater awareness of our services and abilities? Today, I stumbled upon an article in smallbiztechnology.com: “5 Deadly Sins of Poor Rebranding” by Ramon Ray. I love a good list of what not to do. I think they are more helpful than lists of what to do! Ray says, “It turns out, branding, just like surgery, is driven by a single rule: Do no harm. When it comes to creating or changing a company face, you better think twice.” Change for the sake of change is often unwise. I especially like his checklist– a great exercise before you incur the investment in rebranding.
I personally think, like many things in life, you know when it’s the right time. There is a trigger. A change that precipitates the need for additional change. And when I get restless, I’ll go back to this list! In the meantime, do no harm.
– Andrea Exter, CEO and cofounder of Monarch Media
Coming Up for Air
You might have noticed our last blog post was in September 2017—yes, we have been a bit busy! The blog has been simmering away on the back burner while we have been attending to new clients in the New Year. 2018 is off to a great—albeit hectic—start with five publications (one monthly, two bimonthly, and two quarterly) as well as collateral for annual client events.
But, we are coming up for air! We have brought in a talented professional contractor to help us provide full-service publishing and keep our sanity all at the same time.
Our team is working with each client to refine everything from scheduling to editing and proofing. We have introduced new, efficient proofing processes, which create collaborative editing with our clients and their internal teams.
As we continue to learn and grow, we want to hear from you! How do you create greater efficiencies? What software, apps, or media are you lost without? We’re interested in your latest, greatest timesaving ideas. How do work with your teams in different locals? What technology helps you work together across miles, platforms and industries?
We’re looking forward to a productive and exciting 2018! And we’re off to meet another deadline…
Finding Focus: Monarch’s 6th Anniversary
As we quickly approach our sixth anniversary, it seems like just yesterday we were celebrating our fifth year and clinking glasses with our clients. Time is flying, and we are having fun! With each year we are gaining knowledge and wisdom about ourselves, our clients and how our little company thrives.
In our third year, we realized we needed a defined market in which to market to. We didn’t ponder it long. The association market was clearly the right fit. As owners, we both have association publishing experience, working knowledge as association staff, and we live in Austin where many associations are headquartered. Our focus on the association market has been a huge factor in Monarch’s growth — and we love helping associations with everything from their publications to their conventions!
This past year we had another moment of true clarity. You would think this would occur after a three-day reflective retreat for business owners, but it came after a rather bizarre meeting with a potential client.
You see, Monarch’s business model is unique in that we employ two different services under one roof — publication design and advertising sales. When we have the ability to marry these two services on a client’s publication, everything runs like clockwork. The processes we have honed over the years support both our services. When combined, they hum along swimmingly. The publication, and in turn our client, benefits in met deadlines, engaging design and a growing revenue stream. We know this.
So, this potential new client was going to be one of those “we need one of your services now with the option of perhaps bringing on the other service later.” We left the meeting a little disheartened knowing our business model would be divided if we took on the client. But through this, we gained something far greater — clarity. Clarity on who we are as a company and our ideal future clients. It was as if we were holding a large magnifying glass that brought it into complete focus. We simply know we do our best work as a team, and moving forward our team aims to provide its best product to clients who utilize Monarch’s complete custom publishing services.
THANK YOU to our current clients who we absolutely love working with everyday, our former clients from whom we gained great knowledge and those who have given us an opportunity to submit a project proposal that wasn’t quite the right fit. Each interaction has helped us define who we are as a company and find our focus. Year seven, here we come!
Terrible Ideas
Under the Tuscan Sun — it’s one of my all-time favorite movies, and it’s chock-full of wisdom about life, love, friendship, writing, and inspiration. One of its many thought-provoking quotes sprang to mind instantly when I read this article in Inc. I could hear the voice of actress Lindsey Duncan, who played the captivating Katherine: “Terrible idea…. Don’t you just love those?” (Under the Tuscan Sun, 2003) Of course, she was talking about Diane Lane buying a villa in Tuscany, but the meaning holds true. Terrible ideas lead to the discovery of new, unintended and oftentimes amazing things.
This is the general idea that author, Yazin Akkawi was talking about in his article, “How You Can Instantly Become More Creative, According to Science.” Akkawi says, “The secret to creativity, according to science, is persistence.” And I am here to tell you that it’s absolutely key. I design and manage the design of all our publications for Monarch and there are times the ideas are just not flowing. Being on deadline and without the luxury of time, I just keep searching for ideas. The Inc. article says, “Research finds the most creative ideas tend to arise after many others have been considered and discarded, proving that the key to creative thought is to just keep at it.” I read this and thought, YES! This is my process. I’m unrelenting. I can’t walk away without at least the inspiration for the next idea. A blank page is never an option for me.
It’s reassuring when science backs up your process! As I read on, I realized I am apparently doing something right. Embracing bad ideas is necessary for uncovering great ones. Here are two reasons why:
- Ideas that solve a problem in a unique way are usually a combination of existing ideas, many of which may seem bad at first.
- Accepting that most of your ideas will be bad will help you move on to new ideas faster and more easily.
I can’t tell you how many times I have looked at an idea for an article and thought, that direction is not quite right. But, I try it and one of two things happen. It doesn’t work, but something about it could be changed to make it work. Or, it doesn’t work, but it sparks another idea to try. In either case, I am making progress and that’s key to staying on track and meeting deadlines.
I was thrilled to find this article, confirming my process is a positive and effective one. Because, in the world of editorial design, there is no time to sit and stare at a blank page. Bring on those terrible ideas!
— Andrea Exter, CEO and Cofounder of Monarch Media
Choosing a Magazine Printer: 11 Tips for Success
We have clients who ask us printing questions daily. Fielding those print questions is a big part of what I do. What’s a good way to emphasize a special section? How do we work with an advertiser to include a gate-fold ad? Can we move the mailing label on the magazine?
We like to be in the know when it comes to innovative processes, responsive pre-press and proofing software, postage changes and mailing suggestions, as well as special print services like blow-in cards and polybagging. What are the costs and benefits of each of these offerings? How can these services create value, efficiencies and savings?
Publishing Executive published a terrific article, “10 Tips for Choosing a Magazine Printer,” that makes some great points—well, 10 actually!
One question I am asked often: Isn’t it better to use a local printer? Sure, I love to eat local, shop local for home goods and fresh food, and support local business, but you’re looking for the best fit for your publication first and foremost. The printer who offers exactly what you need might not be down the street. In the writer’s Tip #6, he adds, “an out-of-town printer with a good logistics operation might not be at a disadvantage and may offer strengths that the locals don’t have.” Which leads me to Tip #7. You know your publication. You know it well. If you print 5,000 copies quarterly, you may want to rethink going with the largest printer in the nation printing hundreds of thousands of copies for Vanity Fair monthly. Small fish, big pond. A niche printer who specializes in short-run publications might be a better fit.
Paper. There is a world of difference in paper and even at the same weight and specification, the opaqueness, feel and brightness can vary. As in Tip #8, ask your potential printer for paper recommendations based on what you want to achieve. Is the color of the paper the most important factor (think architecture versus people on a scale from warm whites to cool whites)? The paper weight, cost and availability can affect your best option. Get samples. Provide a print file and ask for a test print on the paper you are considering. Work with your printer to find your ideal paper for budget and beauty.
And then there’s postage—Tip #9. Printers who specialize in magazines and publications usually have a postage specialist on staff who can provide guidance and ideas for cost efficiency in mailing periodicals. From paper weight to co-mailing, there are ways to improve your bottom line. And the USPS guidelines for periodicals can be challenging to understand and comply with, so an in-house expert is duly helpful!
And finally, I’ll add my own tip: Examine Your Proofing Process. Each of our clients has a different proofing process. You may have one you’re comfortable with. But, comfort can come at a cost! Ask your printer how you can save money and time by adapting your proofing process. Soft-proof first if copyediting is part of your print process; hard-proof second for color and other issues, such as checking bleeds and pagination. Ask your printer if they time stamp proofs. This can be extremely helpful when replacing pages and checking final proofs. Some printers use proprietary software for approvals that time stamp your approvals, plus allow for comments. It’s all about efficiency and what works for your team.
Shopping for printers can be overwhelming, but investing the time to find the right printer will pay off. Prioritize your needs and start with printers who specialize in producing magazines. Have each printer bid on your last issue using it as a guide so you can compare apples to apples. Then use this list of tips to ask the pointed questions that will help direct you to your ideal printing partner.
— Andrea Exter, CEO and Cofounder of Monarch Media
Where WE Begin
Happy New Year! We hope your 2017 is full of hope and anticipation of what is ahead. We may all have varying political views and peer into the future with unknowns due to a new political scene, but we know this country IS GREAT! This country provides an avenue for two women with an idea to launch a business of their own. This country encourages entrepreneurs to succeed, to grow and thrive.
Our fore fathers got it right. “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” –United States Constitution
WE are this country. WE make IT GREAT. Not one person, not one company, not one member of Congress, and certainly not one President. It takes a collaborative effort of people listening to one another, compromising together, supporting each other and working together to keep OUR COUNTRY moving in the right direction for everyone.
Our hope for 2017 is a coming together of “We the People of the United States” not from the highest office down, but from the bottom up. That is where “We” begins.
Monarch Media Turns Five!
Monarch Media Turns Five: A Walk Down Memory Lane
As we celebrate Monarch’s five-year anniversary, we’d like for you to join us on a little walk down memory lane. This is our launch story, and we hope it will inspire others to pursue new possibilities, and to never give up.
It was a hot summer afternoon in July, and we decided to meet for lunch at Hula Hut. As the water lapped beneath us, we started brainstorming. Andrea had been looking for a new job for about four months and after numerous disappointments, a close friend told her she should consider being her own boss. This was an idea she hadn’t really thought about until she broadened her perspective to include a partner—Chellie. When we met for lunch that day, neither of us was sure how the conversation would go or if we were even ready for such a big leap. But, we were both willing to listen to each other and think about the idea of a different future. Three hours into lunch we had a rough business plan, which included services, rates, target markets and a launch date. When the ideas started flowing, we knew we had something worth pursuing. We left with a to-do list, which included determining a name, setting a meeting with a business advisor, researching the various business structures and educating ourselves on how to launch a business. It was a huge leap of faith for us both and before we left that first meeting we prayed. And we prayed a lot afterwards.
In August of 2011, we met with an advisor, determined we wanted to be an S Corp, landed on a name, completed paperwork, crossed our fingers and filed our corporation paperwork. Then we waited. One September 16, our letter of incorporation arrived and we were official, but we waited. We created a logo and a tagline, built a website, bought technology, met with potential clients—but still we waited. We still had day jobs that kept us busy, so evenings and weekends became focused on our new adventure. Like a newborn child that you protect from the outside world, we protected Monarch. We waited and prayed. God never put a roadblock in our path, and we took that as a green light. Around Thanksgiving of 2011, a job change came for Andrea. We flipped the switch and the website went live. Our business plan was put into action and Monarch took its first step. For six months, we set in motion a robust business development plan, busily meeting with professional friends and possible clients, seeking that first client that would trust our knowledge. We waited and prayed. We had some small clients in the beginning that helped us build revenue and by the summer of 2012, we found that larger client that gave us the momentum we needed to fully get off the ground. That fall we celebrated our first anniversary. Monarch was at a slow-paced run. We stayed at that pace for another eight months, adding small clients until we found another large client in the Summer of 2013. We celebrated our second anniversary, worked harder, and Monarch’s pace increased. As 2014 started, we added another larger client. We kept this pace for two years honing our skill set, further defining our market and services, streamlining processes and searching for the next client. As 2016 began, we added our fourth large client, and now Monarch is in marathon mode. We are in it for the long haul, the pace has been set and we are happy to reach the five-year mark.
Each day we feel blessed—enjoying incredible teamwork between the two of us and our clients as we continue to pursue this dream together. Thank you to all our clients who have trusted us over the past five years with your ideas, your magazines, and your revenue streams. We wouldn’t be here without you, and we are truly grateful for the friendships we have made along the way. Thank you to our mentors, friends, and colleagues who help us succeed. We have learned from each of you, and you have all made Monarch a better company. Thank you!
Leave a Lasting Impression
What is at the core of leaving a lasting impression? Customer Service. Good customer service leaves a positive impression, and bad customer service leaves a really long-lasting negative impression. It could mean the difference between keeping a client or losing a client. So how important is customer service as a small business owner? It should be one of your founding principles. It is at Monarch Media, and I have to give good customer service credit for helping us build and retain clients and advertisers.
And here’s a secret…it’s pretty easy to provide good customer service. I happened upon Marc Kramer’s article “7 Ways to Improve Your Customer Service,” so I gave it a read to see if there were areas I could improve on. What hit home to me was it’s not all about being nice and following-up, although both very important. In a world of sales, it comes down to a few more things–empathy, listening, guarantees, help and self-sacrifice. Marc goes into detail about each of these, and I know I’ll be incorporating these into my sales approach all the while keeping in mind that “it is all about the other person’s experience.”
I would encourage you to take a minute a read through his suggestions they might just help you keep a client or gain a new one!