Big Stories — What Publications to Observe

Dear Info Marketers,

I was the first one in the office one day last week and noticed several different newspapers and magazines piled at the door when I arrived. I took them in with me, but later consulted the boss about this. Do you really need all of these? I inquired. Absolutely, he replied. If you think the world's activities stay in one spot all the time, you are mistaken my boy.

My boss wasn't joking or being ironic. He's very successful and now I know why: he stays on top of trends constantly. His subscription to several local papers plus some name magazines and key Internet sites has ensured him in being up-to-date with the current business world.

As the information marketer, I would highly recommend this to you as well. Sounds tough? Well, the good news is that you don't need that many to keep tabs on. Not even as many as my boss does.

Here are some publications that you might want to invest in:

--The Best Local Business Paper: I have to specific about this because if you are like us, you live in a city with several different daily newspapers. You should subscribe to the paper with the absolute best business section. Here in Toronto, my boss gets to two papers, The Globe and Mail and The National Post, as both have the most detailed business sections in the province and even the whole country. Both have huge coverage and during certain days of the week, the business section is the dominating portion of the paper. Find the same newspaper for city or town.

--A Good Business Paper: I used to live in the basement apartment of a philosophy professor. He liked to read up on economics as well as keep stocks, so he subscribed to The Economist which he got monthly. Again, I cannot recommend the best one for you, but look at this magazine, The Wall Street Journal, or a magazine devoted entirely to economics. These magazines often carry economic forecasts that can not only help you see the future of your information marketing business, but of your personal finance as well. Ask around with fellow info marketers or consult your local newsstand for the business magazine that would be best for you.

--The Best Related Trade Magazine: This is the magazine that has the best news for your information marketing business. If you are provide information on sports, do not subscribe to Model Trains Monthly. Get Sports Illustrated or something similar. If you are into woodworking and carpentry, Popular Woodworking is worthy checking out regularly. These magazines can be good not only for industry news, but also for advertising and related deals to your business. Again, consult your newsstand or search the Internet for related publications.

--A Good Internet Site (or More Than One): In this day and age, it's important to find news on the web as it is the fasted producer of news updates. Check blogs and message boards as well. Even the smallest sites can have the smallest yet most important tidbit of advice that you could ever hope to find.

Staying updated can be tough. But knowing where to search is half the battle. Find those publications that can help you the most and then use them for your updates and information. Your business will strengthen as a result.

More to come so stay tuned.

Have a good week,

J.