EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER

GUEST COLUMN

Tell Us What YOU Think!
By Wanda Kenton Smith, Editor

Editor’s Note: This issue, Sail America News Editor Wanda Kenton Smith taps the Executive Director’s Corner for membership commentary.

Special thanks to Jonathan Banks for giving me a few moments with you this issue.

I’ve been fortunate to be at the editorial helm of Sail America News and Waypoints for more than a decade. We’ve moved from the faxing and print versions to fully embracing the digital age, with improvements along the way. It’s been a fun ride and we’ve covered a lot of nautical miles and topics together.

But today, I’m asking for your help.

I’d like to know what we can do to continually improve these major industry e-publications so they are timely, relevant and thoroughly meet your expectations.

As a quick overview, Sail America News is our monthly e-newsletter. You’re reading it now. We generally produce anywhere from five to seven stories, along with a compilation of people and company news we’ve dubbed PROGRESSIONS. I’d like to know if the content we are providing covers the areas of your interest? From this column, to our summary of the boat shows, to economic indicators and other key news stories, do we capture the content that is important to you and your business? Does the format work well with the home page links so you can click on what interests you? Is the monthly edition frequency sufficient? Tell me what you think and give me any ideas you’d like considered that you believe would improve our content and delivery.

Waypoints is our e-magazine, with a 6x a year distribution. Waypoints normally features a From the Helm column featuring a guest writer from the industry; my cover story which is a question/answer format that goes deep on a particular topic with a noted expert in the field of coverage; to our management corner which taps a leading management expert for sound advice and commentary on a specific topic. For the past year, we’ve themed our issues with focused editorial content that allows our readers to get a full spectrum of commentary on a particular topic, while tapping different perspectives.

I’d like to know as far as Waypoints is concerned how you feel about our editorial package and story mix? What themes would you like to see us focus on for the future? Is the six-time distribution schedule good? What would improve this e-magazine and give it even more value to you and your team?

Bottom line, your opinion counts. Our editorial team works hard to deliver regular content to benefit you and positively impact your business. But we need to know how we’re doing … and what we can do better!

Please take a minute and jot me a quick note to share your opinion and recommendations. Be candid and direct. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as editor of these publications and thoroughly enjoy working with the sailing industry and Sail America, specifically.

Thanks in advance for your consideration and what I hope will be your candid commentary!

Warm regards,

Wanda Kenton Smith
Kenton Smith Marketing
wanda@kentonsmithmarketing.com
www.kentonsmithmarketing.com
Editor, Sail America News
Editor, Waypoints

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