BARNETTS NATIONAL CYCLE SELLER

by

rodent

a prejudicial critique of a new magazine

.First let me set the ground rules. Sherman Barnett owner of Barnett Harley Davidson is the publisher of the above tittle magazine. Sherman has been a friend for many years and this is his first venture in the big time magazine business.

I have been consulted and in fact some of my photos are used in the magazine, So this is a very bias review.

Sherman Barnett is a true believer in advertising his dealership. After all he is in El Paso, Texas which is in the middle of nowhere.. By massive advertising he has built his once tiny dealership into the worlds largest Harley store.

After advertising is such renown rags as the Dupont Register and every motorcycle magazine known to man he came to the conclusion that he could make the ultimate magazine to market motorcycles and related items, so the Barnett National Cycle Seller was hatched. With the able help of son Mark and Mike Carlin, publisher of other types of sell magazines, plus myself the magazine was published with first issue hitting the open air in December 1997 and the second issue hitting the street at the end of February 1998, just before Daytona Bike Week.

I was assigned to give away 3000 copies during Bike Week and observe the reaction.

This slick paper well designed magazine was well received at the largest bike run in the world. People were amazed at the high quality of the magazine and the number of advertisements in this new publication. The girls who take ads cursed me for making them answer inquires from just Bike Week along with their ever increasing number of inquires.

To be fair, a lot of the bikes listed were from Barnett Harley-Davidson's stock. And rightfully so, as Barnett owns the rag. All ads were for real bikes that were actually available for sale both by Barnett and individuals. There were no dummy space filler ads.

The rag was such a hit in the publishing world that distribution was picked up by a major US magazine distributor. That is quite a high testimonial that this rags is worthy and salable.

As none of the principals had any experience in the publishing business there have been many teething problems which are being handled with professionalism of seasoned publishers.

The first printing of issue 1 was around 60,000 copies and the second issue was around 100,000 copies so obviously the sales are growing and eaing of issue 1 was around 60,000 copies and the second issue was around 100,000 copies so obviously the sales aring of issue 1 wing of issue 1 was around 6ing of issue 1 was around 60,000 copies and the second issue was around 100,000 copies so obviously ting of issue 1 was around 60,000 copies and the second issue was around 100,000 copies so obviously the sales are growing and eaing of issue 1 was around ing of issue 1 was around 60,000 copies and the second issue was around 100,000 copies so obviously thor if you want to buy, what's available.

If you wanna get in touch with them ya can give em a ding-a-ling at 915-592-5804 and tell the girl that answers that ya want the magazine department, and you'll be connected in a flash to a young fox who will be glad to help you.

All in all it ain't a bad rag.

PS If ya can't read their are hundreds of color photo advertisements

The End.