Value
One of, if not the most important key to business success, lies in the value offered to the customer. I like to think that RodMaker Magazine offers an unparalleled value for its subscribers. While the magazine easily stands on its own merits, birthing nearly every important new technique brought to the rod building craft in…
Read MoreEasy “POP!”
Recently I came across a topic on the rod building portion of StripersOnline. It concerned custom EVA grips. Some of the work was stunning and reminded me that it’s not at all hard to create custom rods that really stand out from the crowd. Far too often newcomers to the custom rod building craft think…
Read MoreNew Issue & Project
The Volume 14 #3 issue of RodMaker left for the printer this afternoon. It will mail on June 1st and most subscribers will see it towards the end of June. There is an important survey enclosed within this issue. I hope each reader will take the time to fill it out and return it (postage…
Read MoreAdvertising
Most publishers see advertising as a good thing. A very good thing. Subscription payments do little more than cover a publication’s paper, ink and postage expense. If you’re going to make any money, you’re going to do it with advertising sales. This is why most magazines are comprised of at least 50% advertising.  In some…
Read MoreImportant Project
In June, RodMaker Magazine subscribers will have the opportunity to participate in an important project on behalf of the custom rod building industry. Stay tuned for details in the Volume 14 #3 issue, due out in mid to late June! Tom Kirkman ……………….
Read MoreMilitary Insignias
Within the past few days I was looking at this framed set of Navy Wings and it occurred to me that many rod builders might like to have weaving patterns available for the various U.S. military insignias. I know that many builders receive requests from veterans for military themed rods. To that end, RodMaker will…
Read MoreUpcoming Issue…
Sorry I’ve been away from the blog for a week or so. This is a magazine “week†when I’m busy preparing another issue for the printer. Things get pretty hectic as the deadline approaches and with everything else I have to do some of the items that aren’t absolutely pressing have to be dimissed for…
Read MoreVolume 14 #2
Volume 14 #2 issues of RodMaker are arriving in readers’ mailboxes this week. Most will have them within the next 10 to 14 days. Included in this issue: Legacy – The No-Foregip Rod by Rich Forhan Past & Present – Ferrules by C. Boyd Pfeiffer Lana’s 3D Marlin – by Ken & Lana Preston The…
Read MoreBusiness 201 – Paying Your Fair Share
There are costs associated with doing business. Those who are not willing to incur that cost, or worse yet, those who attempt to hang that cost on someone else, have no business being in business. Advertising theft has become rife in today’s business world. Previously it was fairly difficult to steal advertising outright. The advent…
Read MoreBusiness 101 – One Secret To Success
Very often I hear comments to the effect that such and such a company or person “supports†the International Custom Rod Building Expo. This is absurd. No one has ever supported the Expo – rather, it is the Expo that supports the craft and the industry. In fact, this is the secret behind it’s success.…
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