JUNE 2009 - The Value of Two-Lane Livin'

One of the most common compliments we get from Readers of Two-Lane Livin’ is "I read it from cover to cover." I enjoy hearing that because, as editor, I know of all the little treasures tucked and hidden inside.

If you skip through an issue, you might miss something relevant to your life: great outdoor uses for baking soda (pg. 4), interesting uses for sandwich and freezer bags (pg. 4) wonderfully affordable summer activities (pgs. 4, 5, 6, 7 & 17). Additional ways to save money on cleaning (pg. 4), insect repellant (pg. 6), music CD’s (pg. 9), and advertising (pg. 10).

While Two-Lane Livin’ magazine is free, each page is bursting with value. If you skip a page, or a column, you may be missing out on some valuable information. (For example, don’t miss our collection of money-saving coupons on page 23.)

One of the next most common compliments we hear is, "we keep our Two-Lane Livin’s next to the porcelain throne." An odd compliment, yes. However, we know that this location in the house is a place of distinction. A place where folks do much of their serious reading.

Some magazines would prefer to be on display, perhaps in the living room, on the coffee table. But I am proud to learn how many copies are kept handy next to Central West Virginia toilets. For some reason, it assures me that more copies, more pages, more words of each issue are being absorbed -- long after a new issue is released.

A Little Two-Lane Livin’ Goes A Long Way

Two-Lane Livin’ is distributed in 15 counties around the region, at nearly 500 locations. In addition, each month, we send dozens of subscription copies out side the state. Even our readers mail copies out of state to family and friends.

But with the arrival of the summer travel season, Two-Lane Livin’ gets even further mileage. Copies found at our distribution sites and at Visitor’s Centers by visitors traveling through the region are picked up a carried like seeds to homes far away. Copies have traveled to Pennsylvania, Washington State, Arizona, Canada.

Many subscribers who have signed up in summer months are those who have picked up a single issue while passing through our region. This summer, with the addition of Summersville to our circulation, even more new readers and subscribers are coming on board.

To me, it feels like our message is in a bottle tossed in the ocean, or is tied to the string of a helium balloon. Who knows how far it will go?

If you are such a traveler, please let us know. Send an email, post card, or sign our guestbook at twolanelivin.com.

Distributed to nearly 500 locations throughout Central West Virginia, anyone can easily ‘stumble across’ a copy. But what I find interesting is the number of places where one can stumble across one of our columnists as well.

For example, Mack Samples (novelist and musician) and Granny Sue Holstein (story teller) will both be performing at the Folk Festival in Glenville this month.

Sue Cosgrove can regularly be found vending at Calhoun County Farmer’s Markets all summer, and Bobbi Mangus will be a vendor at the Moonstruck Battle of the Bands in Weston, the Parkersburg Multi-Cultural Festival, and the St. Albans River Fest this month.

Joyce Moler is a tour guide at Blennerhassett Island State Park this summer, and if you time it right, you can bump into Brad Moyers in Burnsville, on one of his daily visits to the Little General Exxon.

Roger White makes "campground calls" to repair RVs in need, so it is quite common to encounter him at any one of the campgrounds in the area, and of course, Frank and I deliver copies of Two-Lane Livin’ personally, every month, so we’re out and about in every county throughout the week of distribution.

We are so proud of the columnists who write for Two-Lane Livin’. They are active, creative, friendly folks. If you happen to encounter one of them in your adventures in Central West Virginia, please feel free to approach them, to ask them questions, offer them compliments, or simply to tell them you are a Two-Lane Livin’ reader.

Because Two-Lane Livin’ is free to you, we are completely supported by our advertising clients. That really leaves us in a position where it is up to YOU to support and patronize the businesses who support us.

With more than 34,000 readers each month, it should be easy. All you have to do is speak up.

When you visit their store or business, thank our clients for supporting us and providing you with copies every month. When you pick up your monthly copy, tell the staff at that location how much you enjoy the magazine, and thank them for carrying it. When you find someone who offers a fantastic product or service, suggest they call us.

See, just as we know how wonderful our columnists are, Frank and I know how vast and loyal our readership is. If you enjoy Two-Lane Livin’, please share it, speak about it, and support those who support it.

Word of mouth is one of the most effective marketing tools available today. A kind word from each of you could go a very long way. So, let’s start talkin’ Two-Lane Livin’. We’d love for you to talk about us. ~ Lisa