Maureen Alley's Blog

Business-to-business editors often feel pulled in many directions in order to meet deadlines, often leaving the Web ignored. But Dan Blank, founder of We Grow Media, is looking to change that. Blank wants to bring back passion into the media world, and help us learn from each other – across all industries. The company was officially launched in December 2009, but started to take shape the third week of April.

“I talked to b-to-b editors, publishers, family and friends, and the common thread was that people felt overwhelmed,” Blank says. “These are really smart experts, and I want to help them leverage tools to create meaning, drive careers and fulfillment.”

Blank adds that too often those in the media have been reacting instead of creating. Instead of creating a YouTube channel because you feel like you have to, Blank says, b-to-b editors need to look at what the ultimate goal is. And We Grow Media is there to help determine what the goal should be, and how to accomplish it.

We Grow Media provides tips, in-the-trenches information, and works directly with individuals. In addition, the company will offer virtual courses: structured courses and one-on-one work. Blank wants to personalize what people need.

“Not just learn, but create. What are we creating?” Blank says. “I know they are overwhelmed and burned out, but they believe in what they’re doing. This is an opportunity for you as an editor. So many are reacting; what are your goals?

We Grow Media has a blog and daily newsletter discussing “in-the-trenches” information. For more information on the company or to contact Blank, e-mail him at dan@danblank.com or call (973) 981-8882.
*****************************************
Originally published on ASBPE’s national blog.

For four years, I learned the ins and outs of traditional B2B magazine publishing as an editor. I was good at my job and I loved mostly every aspect of it. Except the struggle and push back from so many at the company regarding the Web. The common response to new duties included, “That’s not my job” or “What’s the point of that” or “That’s a waste of time” or “I don’t have time for that.” By the end of my time at the company, I was so frustrated and dismayed by the lack of ambition to move publications into today’s technology.

I still don’t understand why so many B2B editors refuse to move forward. Maybe it’s the lack of desire to do more, maybe it’s the scary thought of change, or maybe it’s really they just don’t have the time. However, ultimately I bet it lies in the fact that people don’t understand the technologies, how they can help brands or how to streamline processes.

In the fall of 2008, I wrote a grad paper on the B2B and the Web. I interviewed Paul Conley, owner and president of Paul Conley Consulting – an industry heavy-hitter who pushes B2B execs and editors to move forward. One highlight (among many) from that paper is this quote from Conley: “There are no easy jobs left in b-to-b. Every job in journalism is much more like a journalism job. You don’t have monthly deadlines any more, now you have daily newsletters. Now you need to write shorter and learn new things. And for a certain group of reporters, this is a nightmare.”

I also interviewed Prescott Shibles, CEO of Vital Business Media and publisher of eMedia Vitals. Shibles is another industry heavy-hitter who saw the writing on the wall a long time ago. The content coming out of Vital Business Media and eMedia Vitals mixes B2B with the Web industry – content coverage that more B2B publishers should notice. A highlight (among many) from my interview with Shibles:  “There was a rush to news content. The news content is a model getting hammered so you have to be careful on how you approach the news on the Web. Frequency is important but being relevant is more important. Creating a re-write of a press release and putting it on the homepage when the product isn’t relevant to the readership is not what you should do.”

While I’m still in dismay by the many numbers of B2B editors and executives who still don’t understand the new opportunities, there are some of them out there moving forward. There’s a saying among the editors who do understand: They “get it.” Talk to any editor who is utilizing new tools and they will tell you about the ones who “don’t get it.”

This time may be a challenge for most editors, but it’s exciting. B2B editors are no longer left with “easy jobs.” And who wants an easy job?  That’s not any fun!

In November, I resigned from my position as Managing Editor for Website Magazine, in Chicago. My husband was offered a job in Madison, Wis. – we are originally from the Cheese State. So, I’ve been part of the unemployment category since Nov. 20, 2009. After four months of perfecting my job search process, I think I have it down. I now have my own unemployed routine.

I’ve always been a routine-type of person. But didn’t think I would still need a routine when not working. However, in these past four months, I’ve learned in order to feel productive and be productive it’s important to maintain some sort of routine even if unemployed. Plus it organizes the job search process.

When I sit at my laptop each morning with my cup of coffee, falling on my routine keeps me from feeling overwhelmed. Here are a list of sites that I visit every morning. Some of them, I leave open all day.

Gmail: Always check email, and leave it open. This allows me to respond to prospects, and send covers/resumes quickly.

Twitter: It provides me with a quick look at the news from the past 12 hrs, and makes me feel connected to people in the industry.

Facebook: It provides me with a quick look at the news from my friends, and makes me feel connected to them.

MediaBistro: Good source of media jobs.

LinkedIn: Another good source of jobs. And I always check to see if anyone has looked at my profile since my last check.

JournalismJobs: Good source of media jobs.

BrazenCareerist: I check out the latest discussions, and check out the job postings.

WisJobs: Government may need writing/editing help, too. So maybe I’ll find a few jobs to apply to through this site.

Guru.com: A freelance site that helps me to see who needs editing/writing help, and allows me to send them proposals for work.

Google Analytics: This provides me with valuable information about my site. If there was a spike, what keywords are being used, and how people are getting to my site.

Google Reader: Read blogs so that I’m up-to-date on everything from my feeds.

Do you have other sites that help with your job search? Add them.