After posting on Craigslist that we were looking for talented people to become part of our Advertising, Marketing and Creative teams, an anonymous person decided to publicy criticize what we were doing and question our intentions for the magazine.
After careful consideration, I decided to share with our readers pieces of that person's comments and my response to it. I don't mean to add to the drama, but it is a perfect example of the negatvity that exists and the reason why Real Word was created.
Real people. Real life. Real issues. I'm just keeping it real.
PARTS OF THE COMMENTS POSTED ON CRAIGSLIST:
I have the first two issues of the magazine...The magazine is nice enough that it has been picked up by one of the largest distributors in the world. Cheryl DeAngelo, the editor, even brags about this in the 1.2 issue, page 7.
...I am very saddened and disappointed to see the job posting for the "creative team". Yes, working on this magazine would be a great opportunity and experience for many people. But to do so without compensation is absolutely unacceptable. The magazine has a large enough budget to use high quality papers and printing, they have some big name advertisers, and as stated have been picked up by a huge distributor. The creative director, the sales exec, the editorial photographer, the editors, do they all work for free? Is the whole thing a volunteer organization? I doubt it...The commodity Real Word is selling is visual, and the magazine wants it for free. This flies directly in the face of the idea of supporting Hawaii's arts. You want local designers and artists to work for free to build your brand. You need to pay these people. All you have is an idea and your work, you need the skills of others to keep this dream alive and those skills have value. College credit is a joke..Again, no effort or support on part of the magazine... I cannot stand by and watch them try to take advantage of the very people they are showcasing... Take designers and artists seriously and stop devaluing their skills....
-Anonymous
THE RESPONSE:
Thank you for your comments regarding our craigslist posting for our creative team. Since you have the magazine, I am sure you have my contact information and personal e-mail address. I would have appreciated a direct e-mail from you, but instead, you chose to attack me publicly. I conduct myself in a professional manner and would not normally choose to participate in a public battle over ignorance, but I WILL NOT let you put down the team of people that work so hard on this magazine. I will not back down to setting the record straight.
I am offended by your accusations and insinuations that I am taking advantage of artists and devaluing their work. I am disgusted that you would imply that we benefit financially from the magazine and our intent is to use artists to "brand" ourselves. DO YOUR RESEARCH before making statements like these.
Real Word was created FOR artists. The purpose of the magazine is to spread POSITIVE energy and give people an opportunity to showcase their work to a broader audience - something that didn't exist before Real Word came along.
You are right about some things. The magazine is printed on the highest quality paper at one of the best printing companies in HAWAI'I. Yes, Hawai'i. Although printing costs could probably be cut in half if we printed in China or elsewhere, we choose to keep business in our own state. Contributing to our island's economy and supporting local businesses is of the most importance to us and we will continue to do that as long as this magazine is being printed.
Our printing costs are trememdous. Marketing the magazine through events, costs for postage, equipment and other supplies are also huge expenses. I'm sure you can imagine how high that dollar amount is. While we do not feel the need to share this with everyone, I will have you know that my husband and I have used our PERSONAL funds to finance this magazine- money that we have worked extremely hard for, money that could have went to providing my daughter with years of private school education and college, money that could have been used to pay my mortagage or to assist my family members.
Not wanting to waste valuable time looking for investors, we used our OWN money so the people of Hawai'i would have a chance to realize their dream and gain the confidence they needed to pursue it. We did this so special people in our community could be recognized and have their voices heard. We are doing this to give people hope again during this challenging time.
You stated that you DOUBT IT if any of our team members- our photographers, editors, our creative director- worked for FREE. You are WRONG. Everyone that works on Real Word does it because it is a labor of LOVE. We all do it because we want to be a part of something positive and good. For some people, doing something good is compensation enough. What is so wrong about us thinking there are others that are just as giving, others that have special talents that would want to be a part of this too?
Since you reference that I "bragged" about the magazine being picked up by a large distributor and assumed that because of it, we must have big budgets, I realized that you are obviously not educated in publishing. Large distributorship does not equal tons of money and it saddens me that you turn such a positive thing into something negative. After sending countless letters and making hundreds of phone calls, it was a big deal for me that the magazine would be available across the nation. When results happen due to perseverance, it is something to celebrate, especially when that SOMETHING means that hundreds of thousands of people across the nation will be exposed to our talented artists. Do you know how many opportunities may arise because of that perseverance?
Addressing your comment about our "big time" advertisers contributing to our financial gain: like everything else you've stated, you are wrong. We understand that we are in the business of building relationships and we are proud that this is something we value. A vast majority of the ads we have in the magazine were offered to select businesses as a way of partnership. We all help each other out at different times. For Real Word, we not only help artists get their work out, but we help businesses too. It's that simple. Don't get me wrong, we will need to get advertising in order to survive, but for the past few issues, complimentary ads given to reputable businesses was just as important.
Hearing from grateful artists that have sold some of their work or have had opportunities to show at a gallery after being featured in Real Word- THAT IS OUR COMPENSATION. Getting countless emails from writers that are happy they made a difference in someone's life- THAT IS OUR COMPENSATION.
We do foresee one day when Real Word will be profitable. Of course, at that time, there will be no questions that those who have worked hard with us will be compensated.
Our team works day and night, week after week, to put together this magazine. We each take precious time away from our families, our businesses, OURSELVES, so this magazine can be a reality and we can have one more thing for the talented people in Hawai'i to be proud of. And yes, we have been doing this FOR FREE.
How dare you insinuate that our intentions are otherwise.
Cheryl DeAngelo
Publisher/Editor, RealWord.Magazine
