FAQS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
CONNECTIONS

Q: What is Connections?
A: It’s a newsletter. It’s also more than a newsletter. Connections is a monthly informational e-forum. It’s ultimate goal? To “connect” you with the experts in a variety of life disciplines. In every issue, we strive to provide you with as wide a spectrum of timely tips and commentary; practical insights and observations; helpful ideas and information as you’ve seen in any online publication, anywhere.

Q: Who publishes Connections?
A: Connections is a publication of The Simmons Group — the L.A.-based brand-consulting firm that specializes in connecting you to your target consumer. We help you – tell your story, sell your product, grow your business.

Q: Why Connections? Why now?
A: That’s not a short answer. But I’ll keep it as brief as possible. First of all, we all rely on the Internet to network, research and communicate. Limitless knowledge is available to us at the touch of a keypad…24/7.
But business success depends upon relationships, upon forging that “trust connection” with the other end of the business equation. So in a world where everybody has access to information of every kind, who do you trust out there to provide the best information?

Well, we try to provide our readers with the information and knowledge helpful in making that decision. We provide them with options as well — experts in their particular field with whom they can “grow” that all-important “connection.”

Q: What’s the benefit to me as a contributor?
A: The benefit to you is three fold.

1) Exposure. You gain instant credibility — valuable “face-time” — as an expert in your field. Your position as such is an endorsement of your standing and superior service. And each issue goes out to your mailing list with your article in the lead position.

2) Audience Reach. Your words, your picture, your contact information – all sent to over 4,000 listings to which you would typically not have access (unless you paid dearly for them).

3) Value For Your Advertising Dollar. This is advertising that would cost you an arm and a leg in the hands of any agency shop, let alone a top-notch one. With Connections, the fee for writing facilitation, editing, placement and mail-out is very reasonable.

Q: How do I become a contributor?
A: Submit an article rough or collection of discussion points to Connections (scotsimmons@simmonsgrp.com).

Information must be of value to a general audience:

helpful tips
need-to-know info
resolution to a common problem
guide to getting better value from…

Q: Then what?
A: I edit/polish or write it for you – your choice.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: $150.00 for an article edit (article already written – in need of polishing or tightening); $200.00 for writing an article from copy points supplied by you (either in writing or via spoken interview).

Q: What about getting the article formatted, placed and mailed out?
A: All part of the quoted price above.

Q: What else do you need from me?
A: A presentable digital photo to accompany your article, and your email list.

Q: My email list? Why should I give that to you?
A: That’s how it works. Each contributor benefits from exposure to an email list to which he or she would typically not have access.

Q: But my clients don’t want their addresses thrown out there on the net for all to use. How can I do that?
A: Don’t panic. The list you submit will be used only for the mailing of Connections. Newsletters to your list will go out under your name… and each of your clients will see your article first – in the lead.

Q: What does Connections look like?
A: Take a look: www.simmonsconnections.com

Q: How do I get more information?
A: Give us a call: 818.865.8055 or e-mail us: scotsimmons@simmonsgrp.com .

And be sure to check out our other services: