OVERVIEW

04.26

In early April, I began messaging potential collaborators via email, Facebook, Instagram, and telephone. It was a very harrowing experience due to the confidence and professionalism required when pitching anything to high(er) profile creatives & writers.

I wanted to strike a balance between industry professionals and local figures within the broader Rust Belt area. In hindsight, I was too caught up in finding “big” names and hyperfixating on geographic parameters.

Prior to outreach, I should have developed a clearer understanding of my ambitions: • HOW WOULD IT LOOK?
• WHO WOULD IT BE FOR?
• WHAT WAS IT SAYING?
I tend to get so consumed by my ideas that I forego any kind of practical deliberation until final moments. However, these kinds of details are essential from the get-go, especially considering I was making a publication that demanded considerable production time.

That said, I don’t have any clear, documented reasoning as to who I wanted on board / why I wanted them. The whole process was extremely spontaneous — around 1 week of Google searching, Instagram-scouting, and putting myself out there in a way I had never done before.

I am extremely thankful to everyone who offered me a response. The suburban folk were generally more receptive than I had anticipated. Eric Kroll, on the other hand...