All,

Sorry for the headache you've been having with SizableSend. Not sure what the problem has been there. I've uploaded the PDF to my Google Docs account and shared it.

Please use this link to download:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6bvxboMRn-TcWRxSnFOcms1amM

Let me know if there are problems with this one.

Thanks,

Bob

As someone nicely pointed out, the URL provided earlier is not working. I just tested this new one, there shouldn't be any problems, but if so, please let me.

https://sizablesend.com/file/bnp9xb/May_2012.pdf

Thanks,

Bob

Hi everyone,

I knew it had been a while since I posted an update, but having just looked closely now, I didn't realize that it's been nearly two months. My apologies for such a long dry spell. It had been a busy couple of months. SXSW pretty much ate up all of March, and we've been making some great strides during April on a number of fronts. I think the most exciting new news to report is that starting with our April issue last month, the magazine is now available in all the US Airways and United lounges across the US. We plan to expand to Delta and American later in the Summer. If you come across one in the lounges, please snap a picture for me.

I've had a couple reports from those that pledged for subscriptions not receiving the April issue. We processed everyone's addresses before we shipped April, which was very early in the month. If you haven't received it for some reason, please send me a message.

The May issue has been printed and will be on newsstands in the middle of the month. The flash digital version will be distributed to all subscribers shortly, but for our special Kickstarter crew, you can download the PDF now from this link:

                 https://sizablesend.com/file/ogfgj7/May_2012.pdf#cid=8

I have received messages from those that pledged for ads. You'll be receiving an email from me later today concerning this, and we'll be able to start offering ad space to backers with the next issue: June.

Also, we're working on the signed back issues and posters. Please be patient. It will be later in the Summer before everything is together and ready to ship.

I should have some other good news bits to report in the next week or two.

Again, thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

Bob

Evening everyone on this rainy Friday in DC,

First, another thank you to everyone for pledging and making this a successful Kickstarter campaign. This is a huge win as we prepare for SXSW next week, and my wife and I take the long drive from DC to Austin. (Why are we driving you ask? Don't ask. It's complicated.) Also, as the Kickstarter was hitting high gear earlier this week, I had a minor medical emergency requiring no less than three consecutive days of doctor's appointments. Nothing serious, but it did slow me down this week, and just getting back to normal. It's a been a week. I'll say that.

From the best of my understanding, Kickstarter campaign success rates are between 40%-45%. What was really very unexpected was that not only did we meet the goal, but funded 114%. So you all really gave it 110% as they say. 

But also, as I was casually browsing Kickstarter, I realized that The Social Media Monthly is the 8th most funded periodical campaign on Kickstarter. Now, I don't know if that's worth a press release (maybe), and it's unclear how many total periodical campaigns there have been, but it looks like a lot (more than 100). If anyone knows how to find the total number, i'd be interested.

I also thought i'd share some interesting statistics that Kickstarter provides on the backend. First, here is the funding graph:

Over half of the entire funding came in the last 4 days. That adds a few gray hairs. :)

Ok....semi-interesting stats:

The average pledge was $80.74 (fairly high)

Total dollars pledged via Kickstarter: $5,032 (22%) (not sure exactly how that's defined)

Total dollars pledged via external referrers: $17,896 (78%)

34 pledges totaling $283 came from referrals from Empire Avenue (yeah @dups!)

22 pledges totaling $4006 came from searches within Kickstarter (random?)

8 pledges totaling $581 came from discovery through the "Periodical Category" on Kickstarter

3 pledges totaling $130 came from discovery through the "Ending Soon" page on Kickstarter

The most popular reward was a 1-year subscription for $15 chosen by 70 people

2nd most popular reward was a lifetime subscription for $100 chosen by 55 people

As an FYI, I mentioned a few days back that i'll be designing the May issue front cover incorporating all your names as a thank you. But, we're also going to devote a good portion of the issue covering crowd sourced fundraising. If there's a particular aspect or company you think needs to be covered, drop me a line.

Lastly (i tend to end all my messages that way....where's the thesaurus?), if any of you are considering starting a Kickstarter campaign, I am more than happy to share whatever knowledge and experience i've gained from this during the last 60 days. Am I ready to take on Rick Santorum? No. But, I do have a much greater appreciation for what politicians must go through. Another good reason for campaign finance reform.

Look out for surveys this weekend to collect mailing addresses for subscriptions. And i'll update everyone as we start organizing the signed back issues, posters, t-shirts, ad space, etc. Some of these rewards will take longer than others, so please be patient. I will likely mail stuff as it comes in and not wait until I have a complete package of everything, but we'll see on the timing.

Happy Weekend and if you are going to SXSW, stop by booth #525 and say hi.

Night,

Bob