When I decided to launch San Diego LGBT Weekly, the goal was to ensure that San Diego had an independent media voice in the LGBT community. A voice that was laser focused upon the issues that matter most to us, whether they are political, news-related or simply fun entertainment stories.
We began our journey with a weekly publication that resembled the defunct Gay and Lesbian Times. Why? All of the initial staff were former employees of the Times. While my vision was fundamentally different from that of the GLT, communicating that vision would have caused anxiety in my new staff.
Gradually over the first year, LGBT Weekly found its voice, format and audience. Our readers noticed the shift to hyper-local news stories that focused on LGBT issues in San Diego. They also noticed the diversity of our covers; more women, more ethnicities; a transgender woman. Our newsmagazine reached out to and represented our entire community.
The first year was not without its concerns. There were advertisers who were skittish after the demise of the GLT. There were also advertisers who stepped forward immediately to help ensure that an independent LGBT media voice remained in San Diego.
Jim Abbott of Abbott Realty Group offered us office space for free, to help us put out our first few issues. LGBT Weekly owes him, as well as our initial other advertisers, a debt of gratitude.
Many complained “where is your Web site? We can’t access your information online.” LGBT Weekly made a conscious decision not to launch our Web site prematurely. I knew from my experience owning high-tech businesses that you only get one chance with a potential online customer.
If you produce a poor Web site, a reader may visit once. Wait and produce an excellent Web site, you will create a repeat reader. Our Web site did not debut until March 2011, five months after we launched the publication. The Web site launch was an unqualified success.
LGBT Weekly decided to partner with The Pride Card to increase its reach within the community. The Pride Card offers discounts to cardholders from select businesses in San Diego. There are currently more than 9,000 Pride cardholders who get discounts on everything from automotive services to spa treatments and of course, clothing and dining. Have you used your Pride Card today?
In August, LGBT Weekly Media launched the first mobile applications targeted at the San Diego LGBT community. LGBT Weekly and The Pride Card have a mobile application that allows you to get news and Pride Card discounts on your iPhone.
LGBT Weekly Media also partnered with OutRightNow, a mobile application that includes our news, The Pride Card discounts plus events. Information about happy hours, galas, bar events or other activities is just a touch screen away.
You can download the application that best meets your need for free on your iPhone. The apps are The Pride Card and OutRightNow. In about a month the applications will be available on Android.
What makes LGBT Weekly Media unique is the myriad of ways we can engage with the LGBT community; in print, online, through The Pride Card or on the go with our mobile applications. No other LGBT media company in San Diego can compare to our engagement with the community.
LGBT Weekly Media’s engagement with the LGBT community has helped our readers to be more knowledgeable about politics, news and entertainment. We enthusiastically engage with those that agree with our editorial content and those who don’t.
We are not afraid to publish opinions that are different from ours. That’s what civil discourse is all about. Our news coverage is always fair; our commentary is just that, the author’s opinion. Our 30,000 weekly print readers, 35,000 Web visitors, 9,000 Pride cardholders, our fast growing mobile application users and our Facebook and Twitter followers support our vision.
Some of our competitors do not want to engage with those that disagree with their points of view. They think that many in the LGBT community are looking to be led. LGBT Weekly Media believes that the LGBT community is smart, and when informed, makes great decisions; whether that is to vote for a particular candidate, support a particular organization or attend a particular event.
Finally, I would like to say thank you. Thank you for reading our publication online and in print. Thank you for supporting the Pride Card and patronizing its business partners that support LGBT equality. Thank you for supporting those who advertise with us. Thank you for downloading our mobile applications. Thank you for following us on Twitter and Facebook.
Without you we are nothing.
STAMPP CORBIN
PUBLISHER
San Diego LGBT Weekly
Bravo! and well done 🙂 I love the balanced approach your publication brings to the table.