Six months and growing

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By Dan Adams | Friday, May 30, 2003 2:31 PM CDT | () comments

Welcome to the Quad-City Business Journal's sixth edition.

To those of you familiar with the history of such local publications, you know why I'm excited about hitting this mini-milestone. Launching a new publication, similar to a new business, always requires heavy lifting. Thanks to our readers, this new product has been immediately successful.

Every time I'm out in the community, I ask people what they think about the journal and how we can make it better.

At last month's Business Show at the Moline Holiday Inn, I heard some rave reviews of our now 48-page publication.

Some readers turn first to the "business leads." One reader said he made "good money" prospecting new clients from the lists of deeds, business licenses, building permits, etc. Others commented on local features and were enthusiastic.

One thing stood out: the number of people who read it thoroughly.

"It's one of those products that I don't have to sit and read it all at once. I can come back and finish it throughout the month," said one reader.

Others turn to our special features on small business, transportation or health.

Along with the enthusiasm came some great ideas for improvements. Some suggested more Illinois news. Others wanted more business leads.

Each month, 10,100 copies of the Journal are mailed to business owners, CEOs and executives in our four-county, two-state area, where they reach at least four times that many readers.

And our www.qcbusinessjournal.com Web site is drawing another 1,500 readers per month.

In addition to our six monthly issues, we have delivered two Special Reports: Fast 50, a look at the area's fast-growing business, and Book of Lists, which has expanded to include 47 categories.

We'll also publish Movers and Shakers in June, Women in Business in July, 40 Under 40 in August and the Small Business Resource Guide in September.

A major focus was to give advertisers a venue to reach the top business decision-makers. It appears we are doing just that.

This issue has 50 advertisers delivering their messages of value to our readers.

It can get better. But I need your help.

Drop me a line or e-mail me with your suggestions. What do you like? What can we improve? I'll say "thanks" by randomly selecting one writer to win a free dinner.

To everyone else, I'll says thanks by taking your suggestions to heart and putting them to work making the Quad-Cities' only business journal even better.

Write to Dan Adams at dan.adams@lee.net or send comments to 500 E. 3rd St., Davenport, Iowa 52801.