By Jennifer McDaniel, for the Lincoln Sentinel
After months of work, distribution of the Live Lincoln County magazine is now underway with both print and online digital editions now available.
The publication is distributed free at stops along the western half of the I-70 corridor, as an insert to out-of-county subscribers in an upcoming issue of the Lincoln Sentinel, through area advertisers, and in a free, online digital format.
This year, cyclists participating in the Biking Across Kansas event, which will make a stop in Lincoln in mid-June, are also receiving copies of the publication. A link to the digital edition is being distributed through BAK newsletters and some print copies will be provided to riders as well.
This year’s publication not only has a new design, but includes new features, photos and updated information about everything Lincoln County has to offer.
Live Lincoln County is the product of a public/private partnership, where a group of local volunteers and staffs from the Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation and the local newspaper, the Lincoln Sentinel-Republican, partnered together via print, web and social media, to spread the word about the benefits of living in Lincoln County.
The new LiveLincolnCounty.com website was unveiled in fall 2015, and developers feel that, when combined with the magazine and social media, it is an effective marketing tool used to tell the rest of the world what Lincoln County has to offer.
“When I opened the first box of Live Lincoln County this year I was thrilled with the quality of the product,” John Baetz, publisher of the Lincoln Sentinel, said. “So many people deserve credit for their work on the publication. Becky Rathbun’s design work, Jennifer McDaniel’s writing, Kelly Larson, Kris Heinze and Bree McReynolds-Baetz’s photography, and Tyler Gier and Abby Gerleman’s contributions in sales and billing are the biggest pieces of the publication, but the magazine as a whole is really a community effort. I’m proud to put my name on this product, and proud to offer it to county residents and visitors.”
In November 2015, Larson, Lincoln County Economic Development director, unveiled the four-pronged effort during a chamber luncheon. During that meeting, Larson explained how the marketing plan focused on four areas, building on a brand started by the Sentinel in 2012. The plan is built around a the Live Lincoln County logo, billboard signage, the website and the revived magazine.
While the goal is to bring new people to the community, as well as remind those already here about everything the county has to offer, Baetz emphasized a push to help natives of the area find the motivation to return home.
“The magazine is sure to reach hundreds of current residents, and thousands of potential visitors throughout the Midwest,” Baetz said. “But we also hope to reach the many Lincoln County natives who left home in search of something different, who now might like to return home. There’s so much positive going on in Lincoln County right now, it’s really a great time to Live Lincoln County.”
And, earlier this year, the LiveLincolnCounty.com website, designed by volunteer Kris Heinze, with contributions from the Sentinel and LCEDF staff, was again named the best small newspaper website during the KPA’s Awards of Excellence.
