Today we speak to Lucy Hall, editor of the Lesbians of North London about the growth of the website and her plans for the future…
About the publication:
Who reads it and how many of them are there?
As it is a website it is hard to ascertain our exact demographic audience. However, aimed at the more mature lesbian who is interested in movies, books and music reviews etc.
What subjects do you cover?
Books, movies, music reviews, celebrity of the month features, things to do in and around London, recipes and gardening tips.
What makes you different from the other outlets in your sector?
Aiming for the more mature lesbian, who has done the clubbing scene but wants to meet like minded people.
How do you decide the content?
Based on what we have read, films we have seen and music that we like. But as the site progresses we are hoping to get more interaction from our audience as well.
Do you produce a features list? Why? Why not?
We use a feature list to share forthcoming events and celebrities.
Do you use freelance contributions, and if so, are they for any particular section/type of work?
No we don’t use freelance contributions however as mentioned above we are hoping to get more interaction from our audience.
About you and freelance journalists:
Do you like freelance journalists to get in touch with you directly to pitch ideas? And if so,how?
We would always be willing for freelance journalists to get in touch by email. However, we have no budget at this time for the website but are looking to generate revenue through advertising.
Name the three most important attributes that make a freelance journalist stand out for you and would make you use them again?
Quality of the writing, flexibility of the content and the content itself.
About PRs:
How should a PR approach you about their client?
Via email.
When is the best time for PRs to contact you & what is your deadline for contributions?
Anytime.
About you:
Describe a typical day at work: What are you editorial duties/responsibilities at the outlet (e.g. commissioning, subbing, features, interviewing)?
I get up and first thing I do is check my blackberry (which of course drives my partner mad), I then turn the PC on and see what’s been happening with the site, how many hits we have had and comments on facebook etc, then consult my diary as to the course my day will take.
Where have you worked previously, and how did you end up in your current position?
I had worked in hotels for years as a reception manager, training various teams and then relocating to start all over again. I then got diagnosed with vertigo, so sadly had to take redundancy from my job so set up as a self employed web designer ‘lucyswebdesigns’. This meant that if I had to have a day off with my illness rather than letting my employer down I could work from home and manage my workload around my vertigo! We also thought it would be a great idea to try and get people together.
Do you Twitter?
Yes ‘lucyswebdesigns’ I use it to stay in the loop and also to share our latest info with our readers.
Whats the best advice you’ve been given?
I’m still waiting to hear it…
What media do you seek out 1st thing in the morning?
I look at yahoo news.
If you could time travel what time would you go to?
1967 California and get Brian Wilson to finish off the ‘Smile’ album. It would have altered the course of music as we know it and also given him a much happier life!
[lnk|http://www.featuresexec.com/publications/info_outlet.php?pubid=17477|_self|Lesbians of North London]
[img|jpg|Lucy Hall]