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onramp year two 2002
onramp year one 2001
Dustbin days- 2000
friday, february 1,2002 - 11:54 pm
this is the letter i sent out to a bunch of distros. if you know of any that i should also sent this to let me know. if you have any ideas, tips, thoughts on this please let me know.-alex
hello there, i am putting together a zine about zine related things called Stolen Sharpie Revolution! i am including an index in the back of zine distros and zine libraries. i was wondering if your distro would like to be included. if you would like to be included, or know of someone else who would like to be included please e-mail me back at brainscanzine@ureach.com and let me know the info you would like printed.
also, i am including a section in Stolen Sharpie Revolution called "things to think about before starting a distro" and a section called "how to start/run a distro" and if you have time i would like it if you would look over the two lists at the end of this e-mail and let me know if you have any other suggestions. also included below are a few of the other ideas i have for this zine. it should be out sometime in the late spring or early summer.
thanks for taking the time to read this
alex wrekk
p.o. box 14332
portland,or 97293
brainscanzine@ureach.com
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE STARTING A DISTRO
*what is you motivation for starting a distro?
*what will st you apart and make your distro unique?
*can you be responsible for other people's money and zines?
*are you willing to invest your own money and time which you may not make back for years?
*which kinds of zines will you carry? how will you chose them? how will you deal with rejecting the ones you don't want to carry?
*will you pay for the zines up front or will you deal on consignment?
*will you accept cash,checks,money orders,online orders, or trades?
*can you be promt with orders?
*can you keep good records of the zines you carry and customers?
*how will you promote your distro?
*would you have a website? paper catalog? or tables at shows and events?
*if you are thinking about starting a distro as a partnership, do you see the otehr person being there in a year or two? how will you handle problems together?
HOW TO START/RUN A DISTRO.
*decide on a name
*decide on a general policy or philosophy.
-how will you fund it?
-what kinds of zines/comics/crafts will you carry?
-how will you deal with turning down zines for
consideration?
-how will you keep orders?
-what content will you find objectionable?
-etc.
*contact zines that you like and ask them if you can distro them, work out payment. (many zinesters are wary of new distros and will want money up front)
*creat some sort of catalog and promote it (web page, print catalog, messageboards, e-mail lists, and even ask the zines you carry if they would distribute flyers for you in thier area or in their mail)
*keep good records with anything.
*keep in touch with the people whose zines you carry. if you want to really be on top of things and are in touch through e-mail,let them know that you are sending money and ask to let them know when they have recieved it and when to expect a package. keep in mind that things do get lost in the mail before sending angry responses.
*in orders to zinesters for stock include what issues and how many, payment (money or trades), and always add you address and/or e-mail on the inside of the envelope.
*most of all just try to stay on top of everything and it will run much sooner.
a zine about zines and zine related crafts. stuff you know, stuff you don't know, stuff you didn't know you knew.this will include postage and copy scams, mail art suggestions, tips on dealing with distros and other zinesters, things to think about before starting a distro, how to make your own envelopes and stationary, how to make paper, binding ideas,how to make your own paintbushes, advertising ideas,cures for writers block and tons more....the only problem is that i need your help. there is stuff that all of us know or have figured out that others don't know or are yet to discover.
i am calling for all suggestions and ideas. the zine is going to be quarter sized, book stitched binding with color paper covers and photocopy/block print covers. that is the only part that is figured out so far. i'm up for any suggestions.
***MICROCOSM PUBLISHING***we make 1" buttons, stickers, shirts, and patches. we also distro recrods, books, zines and more. this is how joe and i make a living
BUY A COPY OF THE STOLEN SHARPIE REVOLUTIONG BOOK FOR $5 POSTAGE PAID
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