At the outset we wondered whether the name should be more general to encompass any future growth past the Catskill region. We didn't know then how well received this all volunteer publication would become or the widespread geographic support and readership it would garner.
The Merry Band at the Catskill Horse began as a small group of avid horse enthusiasts led by yours truly, who met in local restaurants for quick lunches to put together a program of responsibilities. Some took on sales and marketing, others wrote features and covered events, and the initial reception from local equine businesses was frosty.
Whether the lack of enthusiasm from the industry was due to budget restraints on their end or their lack of confidence that a digital magazine would work six years ago or perhaps a mixture of both, I don't know. Whatever it was, there have been stalwart supporters of the magazine through advertising, sharing on social media of the columns and feature articles since those early days in 2012.
Today I am proud to report our visitors exceed 69,000 per month! The reach has grown to encompass not just Upstate New York and certainly not just the Catskill region, but also reaching into neighboring states. We even have some ardent followers abroad in the U.K., South Africa, Canada and Australia.
The Merry Band at the Catskill Horse has evolved over time too. Some of our contributing writers have moved away, become too busy to write for us or taken on other tasks elsewhere. New folks come and join in, people from all walks of life, ages and geographic distribution. Everyone brings fresh ideas, new voices and our readership apparently loves it because they keep coming back and quickly become regular readers.
Renewing advertisers are truly the best indicator that their advertising spend with us results in increased branding for their products or services, increased trust in the integrity of their brands and increases sales.
Sometimes trainers and horse folks in general are just so busy 'doing' everyday that they forget that if they don't keep up with some marketing effort their businesses will slowly decline, as their clientele moves, ages or changes focus.
It is our job to help them grow and our mission is to help the Upstate New York region develop its tourism business and maintain its beautiful bucolic farming landscape through horse farms and rural lifestyle development.
So far we have been successful in our endeavor to keep the magazine FREE to read and FREE to advertise in the Directory Listings and specialist areas such as restaurants, accommodations, job listing etc.
We invite everyone to come join in! And remember, renewing advertisers receive a discount off our regular advertising rates.
Happy 6th Birthday to Catskill Horse magazine and sincere thanks to everyone past and present, for their support and contributions.
