It's been a busy couple of months since December.  EAT...Derby Magazine is now bi-monthly to meet customer demand and to also acheive a perfect spine finish.  The next issue is off to the printers at the end of next week.

Take a look at the tasty food shoot for a sneek preview! (by Jen Miles of Gravity Rides Photography)

The Derby Restauarnt Awards are developing well.  The venue is booked and sponsors are now being secured.  We are really excited about this event and look forward to running it on an annual basis.  It will really help celebrate dining in Derby.

Finally, the most wonderful news ever!  We are moving into our offices soon, located in the new QUAD building in Derby - Amazing!!!!!!!

EAT...Derby Magazine is  delighted to launch our new online subscription deals. 

For just £6 a year you can receive the latest full edition electronically direct to your inbox.  You will receive this even before the magazine is printed - now that is hot off the press! 

We also have an offer on our hard copy subscription where you can subscribe for the year for just £20.  Thats a saving of £16 and includes free P&P. 

So why not take advantage for a delicious treat or give a gift this Christmas of an EAT...Derby Magazine Subscription.

Now who said there was a credit crunch? EAT... is certainly biting back!

www.eatderby.co.uk

 

Since the launch of issue #1, the response has been amazing and issue 2 is set to go the the printers by the end of the week.  The magazine has been fantastically received by both public and businesses.  We have even had some 'big well-known businesses call us to advertise.  We feel we certainly acheived our national look whilst still being a local magazine.  We could really do with sales staff and office space in Derby, but I guess we should walk before running. 

But it would make life so much easier!

We are thinking of running bi-monthly from the new year due to customer demand as from customer feedback it appears more likey they will advertise each issue which again would benefit both us and the customer.   Also we have more time to produce a bigger edition each time. 

We'll let you know

Since we took delivery of the first issue our feet have not had time for a sit down.  We have been busy delivering from the early hours of each day with more still to go.  The response has been wonderful and we already have subscriptions coming through and restaurants now calling us - which is fantastic. 

We are dropping magazines to selected areas and also have it stocked in newsagents of other areas to test the water in selling the publication.  It is also available at tourist information, pride park (Derby Football Stadium), Derbyshire Cricket Ground, Hotels, theatres etc etc. If you fancy a copy then order online now: www.eatderby.co.uk

Mentioning the website, it looks great.  Our web designer James has done a fantastic job.  We just need to find ways to generate traffic to the website.  I am creating link backs on other sites and hopefully Derby Tourist Office will have one on soon as we are working in partnership with them.

We have so many ideas to push the Eat...Brand forward and it is so hard to not run before we can walk.  We are so excited and the doors and other options opening up is tremendous.  I just wish we had the resources available to be developing them now.  I guess we just have to prioritise!

 

What a couple of weeks we have gone through.  The magazine is at the printers and it looks FANTASTIC.  We cannot thank our Graphic Designer enough for all her hard work and staying up until 2ams to get it done.

We expect delivery next Wednesday so it will be taken out next Thursday 23 October. 

Our website is also live (albeit still being worked on) but please have a look:

www.eatderby.co.uk

Still no rest here though.  We have our huge marketing campaign to kick into action this week, along with confirming drop off points and starting issue 2 - the Christmas one.  We are also contacting local radio as they promised a piece on us when the mag arrived and to help launch the Derby Restaurant Awards.  Oh yes we also need to search out the sponsors for the awards and plan the magazines launch party!

Finally we have been invited to a networking evening next Monday with one of our clients.  The mayor will be there along with many big company bosses in Derby.  We are so excited!

It has been a good week............................more to come next Thursday

 

 

 

 

 

The print slot is finally booked for 8th October. We aim to deliver 'Novembers Magazine' 3rd week in October.  The website is starting to look good and will hopefully be completed in the next few working days. 

It looks like things are coming together!.........................to be continued.............soon

22 August 2008

Not updated for a while as things have been progressing a little slow.  However, finally the magazine is with the Graphic Designer and hopefully our website will be live in the next week. 

We are really excited and are looking forward to taking a breather at our launch party when the time comes.........soon!

We have been recently shopping around for printers again while the time was on our side and gaining even more advertisers. 

I think setbacks are sent to try us but we are jumping the hurdles to become even stronger! The end is truely now in sight!

Wish us Luck!

 

 

21 July 2008

I never quite realised the immense strain launching a new business is.  Now don't get me wrong I am really enjoying it but when will I see the light.  I am so excited for the launch but our GD has gone on hol, setting us back a little.  Still as I keep saying these slight problems are sent to test us and make us better!. 

The mag is looking great and the web site is coming on a treat! Thankyou Cre8tive Solutions! 

We are using this time to our advantage though in seeking more advertising and by ensuring everything is top notch.  We cannot afford the very first mag to be anything but perfect.   After all it is our launching platform for the future of the magazine and Restaurant Awards.

 

Unitl next time...................

 

July 14 2008

We are still at the final hurdle in launching the first magazine.  Our date now is in 10 days and will be August Edition.  Its all the little things that are time consuming like collecting our contributors works etc.  Still the mag is a huge success and we can't wait.  The website is also in progess and going well!

Will keep updating, nothing much at the mo though.

 

Right, first thing first, we are so happy to have found Cre8tive Solutions who are designing our website for us.  We are so impressed with their portfolio and cant wait to be live on the big world wide web.  I'll keep you posted for when we are.

Next, another breakthrough today is to have our first sponsor for the Derby Restaurant Awards.  We were fortunate to get a news bulletin on CIN website (thank you very much) which is a local Derby based business networking site.  They emailed about the Derby Restaurant Awards and how we are searching for sponsors in their weekly newsletter today and within an hour we had our first one! Brilliant!!!!!

We have decided to shop around a bit more for printing quotes whilst the GD does her stuff but in 10 more working days time, we should be published!

 

 

25 June 2008

What a day!  We have had to delay the first issues launch date by 2 weeks, which means the first issue will be August and not July.  Felt like a nightmare at first but then these things are sent to try us and make us stronger.  I suppose though its quite common for new ventures to be delayed and 2 weeks isn't that bad.  Still, it makes me feel dissapointed but I will keep motivated and my chin up.  Our advertisers are fine with it, so ultimately thats all that matters as we are making many friends on the way and not just businesses aquaintances.

Ona brighter note though I have development on our website and hopefully tomorrow the ball will be rolling and our website under way. I will keep you posted.

 

21 June 2008

After a difficult time we have now found a fantastic new Graphic Designer!  She is fabulous, newly qualified, motivated, passionate and excited too about EAT...Derby.  We met through our Photographer and both people live local which supports our ethos for the magazine.  We are now just in the process of sending over files so the first edition can be finally be bought to life.  How exciting!

Hopefully by the end of next week it will be on its way to the printers.  Lets just wait and see................

 

June 14 2008

We went to the BBC Good Food Show Summer at the NEC in Birmingham yesterday and had a exciting and tasty time sampling lots of fine produce.  We spotted Gordon Ramsey and Angela Hartnett and chatted to Levi Roots, the Reggi Reggi Sauce Man.  We also gained many useful contacts of which we must act upon next week.  Who knows we may even be having a stall there next year about Franchising the EAT...brand!

Following the show we stayed in a country lodge and enjoyed fine dining and wine.  Although the meal wasn`t up to our full expections (too much raw garlic) it was still exquistly presented and good value as we had an offer from the Times newspaper.  Spend a minimum of £75 in the restaurant and you could stay the night free.  It was a beautiful country manor style we gorgeous big bedrooms and jaccuzzi baths (normally £180 per night)  So I recommend The Times Newspaper!

So its back to9 the grind on Monday and so much to do.  I'll update later in the week.

 

 

 

9 June 2008

After an excellent and fun weekend we are now trying to finish the first issue.  It looks like we may be struggling as our Graphic Designer is now too busy to layout the first issue.  Maybe we can find a junior designer we can help find their feet? Im sure it will all sort itself out. 

Anyway back off to work.

 

6 June 2008

We have had a few busy days visiting clients. They have prooved very successful with sales and even more interest in the restaurant awards.  We have even been invited to a clients home for a barbeque.  They have also invited good customers along with us, their friends and family, so may proove an excellent networking and fun oppurtunity. 

I managed to finish the flat plan and this is now with the graphic designer but I want a final push early next week along with trying to collect pre payment for adverts once I have finished proofs this weekend.  Its all go now! 

 

3 June 2008

Not sure if I am writing these updates in the right place as they are being listed as a comment, but if I do a new blog entry wont it overtype the first one? I will look into it.
Anyway I am still doing the flat plan, didn`t realise it would take so long, but it is important for the content to flow appropiately and the layout to be spot on! Can't afford for it to not be perfect! Other than that I am setting up some last appointments and designing an email to send to CIN to place on their website to search for sponsors for the Restaurant Awards. We have found a venue, just need to book it.

1 June 2008

Must admit not much of that got acheived this weekend apart from working the dog! Still, moving on to today I must draft the flat plan for the first issue. Its so exciting to see it finally coming to life! Also want to make some final appointments with restaurants as I only have this week left, oh and do all the stuff I lazily forgot at the weekend. Will update you tonight with my progress.

 

31 May 2008

I have decided to keep a diary of my progress in the business world.  Thought it might be an interesting read when I am rich and famous, haha! 

So, last night I attended an exhibition showcasing our photographers pictures.  It was great fun to have wine and canapes along with a bit of culture on a friday evening,  should do it more often.  The exhibition was packed and I got a contact for a funky jazz band to play at our launch party we are planning soon. 

Now on to today, its the weekend but I plan to keep working hard to push the launch and start writing correspondance to send out to prospective sponsors for the restaurant awards.  Along with finding time for a rest and walking the dog.

 

 

EAT...Magazines are busy organising the first Derby Restaurant Awards.  This exciting evening will promise to celebrate everything Derbys restaurants have to offer and give prestigious recognition to each and their staff.

We are on the search for high class premises to hold the event along with a fantastic local band to entertain our guests after the ceremony.  We are in process of looking for high quality and stylish trophies to give to each of our category winners. 

The whole evening will be an event Derby won't forget and help put Derby on the eating out map!

Eat Magazines are launching the Derby Restaurant Awards in the first issue of Eat Derby Magazine. 

 

We are looking for sponsors of the individual categories such as 'Best Restaurant' and 'Best Family Dining' etc.  In return for your sponsorship your business will receive immense advertising coverage along with recognition from being part of this hugely popular and exciting event.

 

The awards will be issued at the prestigious awards ceremony to be held in October.  This will be an annual event and aims to give much needed recognition to Derbys Restaurants and staff. 

 

Help us put Derby on the map and shout out about Eating Establishments in Derby! 

 

For more information contact info@eatderby.co.uk.

Here at Eat Magazines we are underway to publish our first magazine called Eat Derby and to launch the first Derby Restaurant Awards. 

 

The magazine contains fantastic foodie articles including an interview with Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall.  We have great competitions, for example over £200 of prizes from Denby Pottery, and not to mention restaurant reviews, tasty recipes plus so much more.

 

This high quality, prestigious looking glossy magazine is out monthly and will be delivered to Derby Residents, distributed in restaurants and other secured drops including newsagents, theatres and tourist information centre.

 

We want to hear from anyone interested in advertising.  We can design the perfect advert for your business or website.  We are reasonably priced and have a wealth of expertise in this field.  So please get in touch to info@eatderby.co.uk for more details.

 

Please also look at our BTtradespace site http://eatderby.bttradespace.com/ to see the first magazines front cover and other images.