Prime Publishing LLC

How To Generate Revenue Online: An Inside Look at Prime Publishing

Northbrook, IL –  How does a business generate revenue while keeping the majority of its content free? That was the situation Prime Publishing LLC president, Stuart Hochwert, faced when launching his network of crafting and cooking websites five years ago. Hochwert recently discussed the strategies he used to grow the firm’s first two properties, FaveCrafts.com and RecipeLion.com, with social sharing platform, Po.st.

The original content found on Prime Publishing’s network of websites is 100% free to the consumers. Site editors aggregate a vast library of recipes and craft projects, and consumers get to enjoy them at their leisure. It sounds like the ideal situation, but it begs the question: how do you sustain that kind of business model?

“When I launched Prime Publishing LLC 5 years ago,” Hochwert told Po.st, “I saw more craft purchases being made at Wal-Mart, Michael’s Arts & Crafts, Hobby Lobby and others, yet I saw print magazine circulation dropping. The hypothesis was that ‘eyeballs’ who enjoy crafting were moving online, so we created a multi-platform series of cooking and crafting communities to inform, inspire, and engage consumers. Our communities span digital websites, e-mail newsletters, social media, and e-commerce and were originally supported exclusively by advertising.”

The multi-platform, advertising-supported model continues to thrive. In a period of about five years, Prime Publishing’s network of websites have grown to over 6 million subscribers with around 100,000 new subscribers being added each week and over 200,000 video views weekly on YouTube. Not only is Prime Publishing a potent player in the e-newsletter market, but they also have a marked presence on other platforms, including social media.

“Pinterest has been a home run and is perfect for cooking and crafting,” Hochwert explained. “Historically, Facebook has been our largest source of social media referrals, although now, Pinterest has surpassed it.”

While Prime Publishing’s network of websites was originally created for desktop consumption, the model has expanded to appeal to users on the go.

“Over the past 12 months, our mobile site has become a priority as we see more consumers using their smartphones to interact with us. We are starting to move to a fully responsive site design and rolled this out first on AllFreeCrochet.com,” Hochwert explained. “Now consumers on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone can enjoy our content. We have been experimenting with various smart phone ads and providers and just recently have a combination of ads that are generating a CPM that is getting closer to desktop CPMs.”

Prime Publishing is always looking for new ways to reach their audience and introduce themselves to those not yet in the loop. Their premium paid circulation digital magazine, I Like Crochet, launched in 2014, marks the company’s inaugural foray into the premium content model. Its sister publication, I Like Knitting, recently launched in December, 2014.

 

AllFreeHolidayCrafts Hosts Ornament Charity Drive

Northbrook, Illinois – AllFreeHolidayCrafts is happy to announce our first charity drive to date! In an effort to help raise money for the Heartland Alliance, AllFreeHolidayCrafts is collecting handmade ornaments to donate to the charitable organization throughout the month of November 2014. In addition to these handmade creations, Prime Publishing LLC will also be donating one dollar for each handmade ornament collected; up to $1,000. The handmade ornaments will be handed out to the familes located at one of Heartland Alliance’s residential homes throughout the month of December 2014 to spread some holiday cheer.

Each year, Heartland Alliance helps to support people around the world who are homeless, living in poverty, or seeking safety. This is not Prime Publishing’s first time donating to charity. In fact, Prime Publishing has successfully hosted a number of charity drives in the past and worked with a variety of organizations including Project Linus, Special Olympics, Mittens for Detroit, the Northwest Community Hospital, and the American Heart Association. With the help of our charitable (and very talented) readers, Prime Publishing has donated more than:

— 200 homemade blankets (crochet afghans, baby blankets, and quilts) to Project Linus

— 100 homemade knit and crochet mittens to Mittens for Detroit

— 1,700 baby hats to Northwest Community Hospital

— 6,311 baby hats to American Heart Association, Chicago

Head over to AllFreeHolidayCrafts today to learn more about Heartland Alliance, and how you can help. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to make a difference through crafting!

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Contact:

Jennifer Hendrix, Editor

AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com

Prime Publishing

847-205-9375

 

About Prime Publishing:

Prime Publishing LLC was established in 1995 as a traditional niche book publishing company. Today, they are an Internet Media Company that operates web sites, eMagazines, and communities focused on the niche areas of crafting and cooking. A full list of web properties, free eNewsletters and free eBooks can be found at www.primecp.com.

Baby Hat Charity Drive a Success

Northbrook, Illinois – AllFreeCrochet.com’s latest charity drive with the American Heart Association, “Little Hats, Big Hearts,” has drawn to a close and was a rousing success. The editors of AllFreeCrochet.com asked readers to mail in knitted or crocheted red baby hats to raise awareness for heart disease, the number one killer of Americans, and congenital heart defects, the most common type of birth defect in the country.

The event had personal meaning to AllFreeCrochet editor, Jenny Benoit, as well. “My dad actually passed away 20 years ago from a heart attack and my mom was recently diagnosed with a heart condition about 2 years ago. Heart disease is something I take very seriously because it has affected my family first-hand. This charity drive definitely spoke to me on a personal level and I am beyond thrilled with how many hats were donated. It was an honor to help spread the word about heart disease.”

The charity drive ran throughout the month of September, and AllFreeCrochet was able to donate 6,300 hats to newborns. Donations came in from all over the globe, even coming in from places like South Africa, Europe, and Australia. One winner was chosen to also receive a prize pack from Lion Brand.

“Prime Publishing has hosted a number of charity drives over the past few years, but nothing comes close to the success of this particular baby hat charity drive,” Benoit added. “We were expecting around 1,000 hats or so, maybe even less because we were afraid the red color requirement would deter some people from participating. In fact, it did quite the opposite; receiving 6,300 baby hats is far more than we ever expected to receive. Many of the homemade hats we received were also accompanied by a handwritten note from those that have been affected in some way by heart disease. I think the connection with the American Heart Association actually helped motivate people to participate more because they had a personal connection to the cause.”

FaveQuilts and AllFreeSewing, affiliate craft sites under the Prime Publishing brand, are currently finishing their own joint charity drive, Hands-on-Heart Breast Cancer Pillow Drive, to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Want to learn more? Check out some of our helpful links below!

Check out pictures from the event here.
Check out our “Thank You” announcement here.
Check out an article from the Northbrook Patch here.
Find out how you can still donate here.

Prime Publishing Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Northbrook, IL – Prime Publishing hosted the “Hands-on-Heart Breast Cancer Pillow-Making Party” on October 4, 2014. 24 Girl Scouts from two different local troops came to the office to make the Hands-on-Heart Pillow, which was specially designed to fit comfortably under the arm of a post-op patient, relieving some of the pressure from that area and protecting it from painful bumps and bruises.

With filling from Fairfield World and machines donated by Bernina USA, the event was a huge success. The Girl Scouts created 24 homemade pink pillows destined for donation to the American Cancer Society through the American Sewing Guild of Chicago.

The event ran from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and included both breakfast and lunch.

For more information on how you can participate in the Hands-on-Heart Breast Cancer Pillow-Making Drive, please visit our website.

Visit our Events Page here to check out some pictures.

 

Prime Publishing Yarn Sites Celebrate I Love Yarn Day

Northbrook, IL – In celebration of the Craft Yarn Council’s annual I Love Yarn Day, the yarn sites of Prime Publishing are teaming up to take it to the next level.

AllFreeCrochet.com, AllFreeCrochetAfghanPatterns.com, and AllFreeKnitting.com will be celebrating the yarniest day of all, Oct. 10, with a week of amazing new patterns, exciting daily prize giveaways, and social media activities.

Visit our yarn blog Stitch & Unwind at www.stitchandunwind.com each day Oct. 5 through Oct. 11 for a prize sponsored by Lion Brand, Red Heart, or Spin Brite. For the full giveaway schedule, visit our blog.

On I Love Yarn Day, Oct. 10, we’ll give away a grand prize including yarn, books, hooks, needles, a travel bag and more!

Watch the editors of Prime Publishing explain why they’re so excited for this fiber-tastic day in our official video.

The Craft Yarn Council’s tips for celebrating I Love Yarn Day, which is held annually on the second Friday in October, include: create an I Love Yarn Day badge, teach someone to knit or crochet, do something for charity, wear a knitted or crocheted item, give a gift of yarn, take your yarn to work day, host a yarn-a-bration party, or knit, crochet and craft in public.

Learn more about I Love Yarn Day at the Craft Yarn Council website, and celebrate with Prime Publishing at www.stitchandunwind.com.

Contact:
Caitlin Eaton
Prime Publishing
847-205-9375

About Prime Publishing:
Prime Publishing LLC was established in 1995 as a traditional niche book publishing company. Today, they are an Internet Media Company that operates web sites, eMagazines, and communities focused on the niche areas of crafting and cooking. A full list of web properties, free newsletters and free eBooks can be found at www.primecp.com.

AllFreeCrochet.com is a website dedicated to the best free crochet patterns, tutorials, tips and articles on crochet. Find all varieties and skills levels, from easy to crochet afghan patterns to complex Tunisian crochet patterns.

AllFreeCrochetAfghanPatterns.com is a website dedicated to the best free crochet afghan patterns, tutorials, tips, and articles on crocheting. AllFreeCrochetAfghanPatterns finds and delivers the best free crochet afghan patterns from all over the web , from easy to crochet mile-a-minute patterns to complex granny square patterns.

AllFreeKnitting.com is dedicated to the best free knitting patterns, tutorials, tips and articles. Never buy another knitting pattern again! AllFreeKnitting finds and delivers the best free knitting patterns from all over the web , from easy to knit afghan patterns to complex knitting patterns. Variety makes things exciting and AllFreeKnitting has the right thing for your next knitting adventure.

 

AllFreeCrochet Hosts Baby Hat Charity Drive

Northbrook, Illinois – AllFreeCrochet.com is excited to announce they are hosting another charity drive! They are working with the Red Heart Association on their initiative, “Little Hats, Big Hearts” to donate homemade hats to newborn babies. “Little Hats, Big Hearts” is a wonderful project to help raise awareness of heart disease, the number one killer of Americans, and congenital heart defects, the most common type of birth defect in the country.

This is not Prime Publishing’s first time donating to charity. In fact, Prime Publishing has successfully hosted a number of charity drives in the past and worked with a variety of organizations including Project Linus, Special Olympics, Mittens for Detroit, and the Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois. With the help of our charitable (and very talented) readers, Prime Publishing has donated more than:

–200 homemade blankets (crochet afghans, baby blankets, and quilts) to Project Linus
–100 homemade knit and crochet mittens to Mittens for Detroit
–1,700 baby hats to Northwest Community Hospital

Head over to AllFreeCrochet today to learn more about “Little Hats, Big Hearts,” and how you can help. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to make a difference through knit and crochet.

—–
Contact:
Jeanette Benoit, Editor
AllFreeCrochet.com
Prime Publishing
847-205-9375

About Prime Publishing:
Prime Publishing LLC was established in 1995 as a traditional niche book publishing company. Today, they are an Internet Media Company that operates web sites, eMagazines, and communities focused on the niche areas of crafting and cooking. A full list of web properties, free newsletters and free eBooks can be found at www.primecp.com.

 

Prime Publishing 2014 Internship Program a Success

Northbrook, IL – Prime Publishing’s summer internship program continues to grow year after year. In 2014, Prime Publishing hired a total of 16 interns between the marketing and editorial departments. The 2014 class of interns was essential in pushing through big projects for the company, including boosting blog traffic, making improvements to the eBook library, strengthening blogger relationships, and more.

The Prime Publishing internship program continues to evolve each year to ensure the students are able to learn as much as they can about the publishing industry and the company can learn from their innovative ideas. Interns are taught a new skill each week in a classroom-type setting and apply that skill through their work with the guidance of their mentors. At the end of each week, they review each skill with the training director to maximize understanding and application.

“The friendly feedback allowed me to stay calm even after I messed up so that I did not harbor any resentment towards my editors,” one 2014 intern said in an anonymous survey. “It made me want to do my best all of the time.”

Regular weekly intern tasks included writing blog posts, posting projects and recipes on the various web sites, creating recipe and project collection pages to be featured in newsletters and on social media, and cooking a variety of dishes in the on-site test kitchen.

“You get to do real work in this internship—you produce visible content on a daily basis—and you’re the only one who limits the amount you’re able to do,” another class of 2014 intern commented.

For more information regarding the Prime Publishing internship program, check out our internship overview page and watch our video below. You can also check out our job listing on our careers page.

Prime Publishing Launches Innovative Web Magazine

Northbrook, IL – Prime Publishing has expanded its reach in the crafting community with the launch of its brand new digital subscription magazine, I Like Crochet, in August 2014. An innovative venture from the founders of AllFreeCrochet.com, the I Like Crochet magazine features 30 exclusive projects and up to 7 tutorials in each issue, complete with professional, full-color photos and in-depth videos. Issues are released bi-monthly and are currently available in both website and tablet versions.

“Given the great success Prime Publishing has already seen with our free website, AllFreeCrochet and AllFreeKnitting, launching online premium content was the next logical step,” says Caitlin Eaton, Managing Editor of I Like Crochet. “We serve a passionate audience, one who’s always looking for more projects, more tutorials, and more tips and tricks. And now we’ll be able to offer all of those things on a higher level using the hand-selected content that appears in our magazines.”

The I Like Crochet digital magazine is the first of its kind on the market, originating and existing completely on the web. Prime Publishing partnered with the Mequoda consulting firm. Mequoda’s CTO and Lead Architect Aimee Graeber helped to develop the magazine’s foundation.

“Usually, when we’re talking about a tablet magazine we have to reconcile future goals and technology with current design, editorial, and staffing,” Graeber says. “In this case, we worked with… the team at Prime to create an entirely new magazine from the ground up, taking advantage of all our current best practices.”

Not only does an innovative digital magazine offer new ways for crafters to discover new patterns and techniques, but it offers designers the chance to expand their horizons as well.

“I think the biggest value we bring into the industry is opportunity,” Eaton states. “Another publication means another platform for both companies and designers to showcase their talents and products to a new and passionate audience.  Since consumer habits are shifting into the digital realm, we knew our magazine would be a digital-only publication. We strive to offer a convenient and engaging experience as consumers are able to access quality content.”

The I Like Crochet magazine differs from the typical flipbook magazine that has become standard practice across the web. The tablet version functions as an app with patterns and charts appearing directly over the pattern itself. The website version comes with page-by-page navigation and a linear reading experience. Website subscribers can then find previously featured patterns in the I Like Crochet library, a feature not typically found with flipbook magazines.

According to a recent article by Mequoda, “flipbooks tend not to be particularly reader-friendly, offering a poor user experience, which is reflected in the reader engagement data showing readers usually only stick around for 8-10 minutes with a flipbook edition of a magazine (versus 50-70 for a typical print magazine).”

Reviews from bloggers have already been pouring in, and the crochet world is already chomping at the bit for more.

“Every publication needs to find its groove, but I Like Crochet seems to have hit the ground running,” says Tamara Kelly from Moogly Blog. “I was genuinely surprised at the great range of patterns included in just one issue. And I really enjoyed reading the articles too – and it was all super easy to navigate.”

“I. Am. Hooked!” says Bethany from Whistle and Ivy. “[The magazine is] full of beautiful photography and gorgeous modern patterns, several of which I cannot wait to get started on.”

Fiber Flux also had positive remarks about I Like Crochet‘s debut issue. “The magazine is bursting with patterns in lots of categories, from afghans to shawls, several hats and even jewelry,” they state. “I found that the patterns accommodate all skill levels and regardless of where you are on your crochet journey, there’s a project just for you.”

Crafters can subscribe to the I Like Crochet magazine tablet version for $19.97/year, website version for $29.97/year, or both for $34.97/year.

 

Craft Blogger, Tanner Bell, Visits Prime Publishing

Northbrook, IL — Popular craft blogger, Tanner Bell, visited the Prime Publishing offices during the last week of July 2014, working closely with FaveCrafts and the entire craft team to create new and exciting videos and tutorials. Bell and his friend, Courtney Chambers, launched the blog A Little Craft in Your Day in March 2013 when Bell was just 14 years old.

Bell began working with the editors at FaveCrafts in the spring of 2012 and currently has over 70 projects featured on the site. FaveCrafts editor, Julia Litz, says that Tanner regularly contributes new projects to the site, submitting an average of 5–6 new projects a month.

“Tanner is always so sweet in e-mail but when I met him, it really solidified how great he is. I walked in to the room and introduced myself and he ran over and gave me a huge hug!” Litz said. “He has such a great personality and is so much fun – he makes crafting exciting and I think that really resonates with the audience.”

Bell has been making video tutorials since March 2010 with particular interests in stamp crafts and DIY crafts for teens. Bell and Chambers frequently work alongside other companies, providing content for brands such as Sizzix and Clearsnap and even appearing on The Today Show as part of the 2014 CHA conference.

Litz adds that Bell “has been integral in helping us branch out gain a new audience, teens and younger crafters. He will continue to submit videos and projects for us, and hopefully we can continue to reach a new audience.”

Check out some photos from Tanner’s visit below!

Plus, check out one of the videos he shot for CutRateCrafts.com during his visit!

101 Days of Holiday Recipes and Crafts Newsletter Releases First Free eBook

Northbrook, Illinois – With the fall and winter holiday season approaching, it’s time to start planning. The 101 Days of Holiday Recipes and Crafts newsletter is celebrating the holidays with its first ever eBook,  The Essential Guide to the Best Holiday Recipes & Crafts: 20 Ideas for a DIY Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. This guide is an extra special release for the holidays because it is the first eBook from Prime Publishing to combine crafts and recipes for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all together. Now you can find all of the DIY holiday ideas you could ever need in one place!

According to a MarketWatch survey from November 2013, 65% of people cite tasks such as decorating, cooking, cleaning the house, or finalizing the holiday menu as activities they need help with during the holidays. This survey also found that hosts were spending more time preparing for the party than with their guests. However, with the help of this eBook and the 101 Days of Holiday Recipes and Crafts newsletter, no one needs to feel overwhelmed with decorating or cooking for the holidays anymore.

With the ideas from the now daily 101 Days of Holiday Recipes and Crafts newsletter and The Essential Guide to the Best Holiday Recipes & Crafts: 20 Ideas for a DIY Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween eBook, this holiday season will be a breeze. The ideas inside of the eBook are just an example of what you will receive daily if you sign up for the newsletter. In this free, printable eBook, you will find craft projects like Witch Legs Pillow (pg. 18), Li’l Turkey Crochet Pattern (pg. 25), and Sensational DIY Advent Calendar (pg. 40). You can also find recipes like Halloween Rice Krispie Treats (pg. 9), Sweetest Sweet Potato Casserole (pg. 23), and Candy Cane Buttercream Frosted Brownies (pg. 35).

Download your copy for free here: http://www.allfreeholidaycrafts.com/Editors-Holiday-Craft-Picks/Essential-Guide-Best-Holiday-Crafts-Recipes-Ideas-DIY-Christmas-Thanksgiving-Halloween-free-eBook

For additional information on our holiday crafts and recipes or this free eBook, please contact AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com editor, Jennifer Hendrix.

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Contact:
Jennifer Hendrix, Editor
AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com
Prime Publishing
847-205-9375

About AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com:
AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com is a website dedicated to the best free holiday projects, tutorials, seasonal crafts, tips and articles on holidays including July Fourth, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and more. AllFreeHolidayCrafts finds and delivers the best holiday crafts from all over the web, from holiday decor to holiday clothing and accessories. Find hundreds of DIY holiday gifts, kids’ holiday crafts, holiday card ideas and more at AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com.

About Prime Publishing:
Prime Publishing LLC was established in 1995 as a traditional niche book publishing company. Today, we are an Internet Media Company that operates web site communities and e-mail newsletters in niche areas such as crafting and cooking. To learn more, visit www.primecp.com.