Every month for ten years, Alyson Sheldrake has published Snapshot!, an extensive digital magazine that promotes her work, her husband’s photography, and local businesses. And when I say extensive, the most recent edition was 128 pages!
Every. Single. Month.
She calls it “The newsletter that thinks it’s a magazine,” which makes me giggle.
In her words, Snapshot! covers “art, photography, books, reviews, events, interviews, rescue dogs, authors, and news about the beautiful Algarve in Portugal.” That’s a lot of territory, and, as you’ll hear, provides a plethora of story ideas for future content.
Writing, designing, and publishing the magazine is not a grind for Alyson. She loves doing it. It’s a comfortable way to market for her that just so happens to reach about 17,000 people with each edition.
Key takeaway: Through the magazine, Alyson promotes others who, in turn, help promote her.
Might a digital magazine be something you would consider? Listen to how she does it.
Listen
Scroll down to watch the interview video. ↓
Mentioned
Alyson Sheldrake Quotes
“I’m creating something people can just take maybe half an hour out of their lives and just chill out for a while and read.”
“I have a problem with stopping every month, not with actually filling the pages.”
“My basic aim for it is to entertain and to inform people and to quietly and gently go, Oh, and don’t forget … I do paintings and don’t forget I write books.”
“Stop thinking about promoting your work. Who else could you promote that then might promote you?”
“That’s the joy of running your own magazine. It doesn’t matter how many pages I have.”
“I always like a mind map. I love doing that. So you put your painting in the middle and just go mad for a while. Think of all the crazy ideas of all the things that might connect with that painting that you’ve done.”
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About My Guest
Alyson Sheldrake is the former editor of Portugal Letter magazine, and a feature writer for the Algarve’s Tomorrow magazine. She also publishes her own monthly newsletter/magazine called Snapshot!
An author and artist, she lives in the Algarve, Portugal, with her husband Dave, a professional photographer. Her latest book, Kat the Dog, is an award-winning bestseller in both the UK and US.
Read the latest issue of Snapshot! and subscribe.
Follow Alyson on Instagram: @alysonsheldrake
