I'm back - kinda long

[Used 2B PopUPTimes]

I came up with idea and have been actively working on PUT for 6

[aldebnj]

Dave,

I sent you a private message for the guidelines.  Looking forward to seeing them.
 
Thanks,
Al
 
PS Your article on TrailManors in PUT is responsible for me having one now!

[tlhdoc]

I am glad you are sticking around.

[NightOwl]

Call me crazy, but I LOVE the ads and I read them ALL; I mean EVERY WORD!  For one thing, they are attractive and very well-done.  For another, I figure if I read them there's a good chance I will learn something I didnt know about camping or discover a product  I  didnt know anything about or maybe didnt even know existed.   Remember, ads do more than just bring in money if they are subject-oriented and well-executed.  They can be a great source of education.  Just think of the fantastic BAL Leveler and you'll see what I mean. How many of us  here have them and  wouldnt part with them for twice what we paid for them?

Well, OK, the magazine isnt very big, but the production qualities are excellent--color, photographs, layout,  thick, glossy paper.  Those things all make a magazine much more expensive--did you know that,  Faithful Readers? Compare holding this magazine in your hands--heavy, smooth and substantial--with something put out on newsprint or thin, cheap barely-glazed paper which will fade and crumble in a few months.  (My issue #1, volume # 1 of PUT is still as fresh and bright as the day it was printed.)

When I  hear  someone complaining about how small "PopUpTimes" is, I think: well, then, why dont YOU write an article about one of your own camping experiences--the most beautiful park you've ever visited--with details of why--funny people you have met, how to avoid disasters in packing, what it's like to keep your kids happy for a week in a small space, how you use field guides to teach your family about identifying plants or animal footprints, scats, etc.  

I'll bet  that Dave is open to  publishing articles  about general camping experiences beyond just SPUTs and the like--after all, we use our popups or other RV's  to GO CAMPING :p.  That's their purpose.

I'm glad you decided to hold onto the magazine, Dave.  I cant imagine it without you just as I cannot imagine this board without you.  After all, how can we continue being a cult if our guru leaves us? :confused:

As for the complaints and those who leave and criticise, well, it is cheap and easy to criticise.  It takes  time and thought to look below the surface and unfortunately a lot of  people arent capable of   anything but a childish demand for instant gratification.  They themselves do not contribute anything worthwhile to the world--they would rather tear something down than to help lift it up  

And once a good thing is dead and gone because of  neglect or the desire to carp, then  all the regret and kind words  in the world cannot undo  the destructive  results of  shallow, knee-jerk negativism.

[OC Campers]

Dave, thanks so much for all that you have done.  My family and | appreciate all your hard work with the magazine and the website.  After meeting and speaking with you in person at the Gold Rush rally in Northern California we feel that you have a true passion for the popup camper.  We were so impressed that you cared enough to come out to our rally and to spend time with all of us.   We will continue to support your magazine and website and will be making another purchase from the Popuptimes store soon.
 
Thank you
Randy and Jacqui

[wiininkwe]

Dave, I'm very glad that you made the decision that you made. For the past 4 years I have been reading both the mag, and this board, and have to say that I have learned more from both than I ever thought I could. They compliment and complete one another, like the partners in a good marriage. Yes, there have been times when I've been disappointed that I could sit down and read from cover to cover in a very short time, but what content is there has always been topical and informative about what's important to me, popup camping. When I first found the message board, I didn't even know there was a magazine, and once I discovered the magazine, I couldn't wait to show it to others that camp. Trailer Life and the other magazines that cater to the owners of the big rigs and TT's don't have the same personal feel and down to earth spirit that PopUpTimes has. And reading Elisa's post reminds me of the time, effort and money that has to be put into a venture like this to get it to be what it is. I am truly sorry that you aren't rich (yet) and that things are taking so long for your dreams to come to fruition. But, I for one will continue to support your efforts, will offer all the moral support I can, and will be here for the duration.
T

[Acts 2:38 girl]

AustinBoston could have an entire section devoted just for fiction!!:book:

I'm glad you didn't sell Dave! We will grow - don't worry.  Whenever you have a product you market, your going to get complaints.  In some cases it's good because you can address things.  Good for you! :-()

[HersheyGirl]

This is all way cool!  Glad you "found" yourself.:#  PUT is great!

[vjm1639]

Hurray!!!   I'm soooooo glad you've decided that HERE is the best place for you!   I knew these new smilies would come in handy.....

:-() :# :-():#:-():#:-():#:-()

[angelsmom10]

Glad you decided to stick around.  I will admit that I do not read every article, but I do go through every magazine inch by inch.   I have never been disappointed.  Yes, it would be great if it were thicker, but you have great content.
 
I have always defended PUT on other boards.
 
This is where we started when we first got our PU and found out so much info that I have wanted to stick around.

[4campinfoxes]

I just want to say that I've enjoyed every issue of PUT.  I read each issue, usually cover to cover, including the ads!  I almost always find something that I either have already or might want to get sometime.  

I subscribed to Camping Life for about a year (it was the only interesting magazine when some kid came to sell subscriptions).  It does have a bit of variety but I feel it caters too much to the "dark side"  - the travel trailers, 5th wheels, all of that.  I don't want to read about all these fancy, expensive things - I want to see real camping!  I'd be happiest reading about tenting & pop-ups.

Keep up the good work, we do appreciate you! :!

Sharon

[Jeffrey]

You turned down an offer? Are you nutz?
Maybe you are allergic to $$$ ? :screwy:

IMO Since you decided to stick with it...
You should separate the Magazine from this Board thing.
I know you have a loyal following (cult), but just separate them.
Many that are staying, don't even own PU's anymore.

A magazine needs numbers, to draw more ad $$.
And face it, most new PU'ers arent signing on here.

So run ads where they are going, You are the only MAg for PU'ers.
Go sell in those places and make sure the new PU'ers know that!
Do it - team up with them before they get the crazy idea, To compete with you in the PU Magazine business too.

Camping Life is thick, but they are trying to please everyone.
TT, PU's, Hybrids, and last month all tents?

Stay focused on PU's and the Mag. Since that something nobody else is doing.

Well that's my opinion, Thats all I have to say... I have my own business to run. Good Luck

[iwantapopup]

I think I may have complained about the magazine after we bought the TT but heck, I don't have it anymore either so here's my new thoughts.

I think you need the ads, I'm always looking for new vendors for whatever when it comes to camping equipment, etc.  The magazine is pretty, all glossy, etc.

I do think more "real life" type articles would be of interest.  I know when starting out, I was bouncing around on websites, looking for packing lists, do's and don'ts, pets, safe water disposal, anything and everything.  I looked at newstands and didn't really see anything until I came here.  

Sorry you're not rich yet, either are your readers!  But I'm glad to hear you're sticking in there.  Maybe you're not the only one who has their eyes opened.

Best of luck and I'll pass the word whenever I see a pop-up.

Linda

[CampNfan]

Glad to hear you are sticking with it Dave. I have to say that I have found so many positives in your adventure with POPUPTIMES. I have met some lifetime friends (including you) that would have never happened without you and your hard work. Tenn. (Little River) was to say the least one of the grandest times I have been a part of. Meeting so many people from so many different places. When we all got together after chatting in the PUT chat room for months and months. Planning our meeting and joking and kidding. It was like we had all camped together before and we where just having a big ol Family reunion for the first time. But that sure was not the end of it. It grew into year after year of meeting up with other folks. It was like it was the beginning of a "Cult" or something.......And Shirley, can be blessed too. I am sure she is with you on your decision too. I will always be here checking out the boards and enjoying my next copy of POPUPTIMES! I am with you Brother!!!!

[byrdr1]

HERE..HERE... Dave,
For the ones and I might have been one, I dont know or remember.
Most all the camping magizines are just as thick as PUT when you take out ALL the ads. Ads account for a lot of space in any other magazine I have read. There may be more on a campers only because once you get past the PUs there are 1000's of TTs, 5ers, MHs to write about. New trucks and SUVs to review. Maybe you need reviews of a good TVs for a PUs. Something that can pull PUs but not a 26'TT. I know my F-250CC pulled the PU extra fine, and it does a good job with the TT. So maybe a F-250 would be over kill on a PU, but what about all the mini vans that folks on here pull PUs with. Just a suggestion.
Thin it may be now, but as you sell ad space it would be just as think as most monthly camping mags.
No need to sell until you are ready to retire thats when you will need that 50'MH to travel the whole country.
Good LUCK Dave and best wishes..
Randy