P.O. Box 2102
Orinda, CA 94563
The casual observer might think the "e" in ePregnancy stands for "electronic." After all, the newly-launched print pub originated as a Web site devoted to expectant moms. But
devoted readers know "e" stands for "everything."
Nonetheless, the former meaning does have a certain amount of resonance for the publication, whose editorial staff is so grounded in all things electronic that its two founders
have never met in person. "My partner and I have never met," says Nancy Price, co-founder. "She's in Ohio, and I'm in California. The publishers are in Atlanta and Utah, the copy
editors are in New York, and the editors are in Southern California and Kansas."
Price and her partner, Betsy Gartrell-Judd, founded the Web site, which has become one of the most popular pregnancy content sites online, and have now launched the new pub
with an initial print run of 466,000. Reader demographics boil down to one key characteristic: They are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or just finished being pregnant.
Content/Contacts
The publication covers everything from pre-conception planning to pregnancy and postpartum topics, plus the first six months of life with baby.
That means stories run the gamut from labor pain relief to cute decorating ideas for nurseries. "We cover involving the father, maternity fashion ... everything to do with
getting ready for the baby," Price says.
And don't forget the baby himself! ePregnancy also covers soothing products and stimulating toys and developmental products for the new arrival.
Price advises PR professionals to follow her own model and stick to email. Use [email protected], which reaches both
Gartrell-Judd and Price. "We consider everything and save pitches for new products. Sometimes we'll refer back to them for an article where we want back-up information."
Pitch Tips
No phone calls, please. Price has four kids and Gartrell-Judd has three, so contacting them by phone at their home offices is hit-or-miss at best. Email is the preferred method
of contact, but Price also likes to see samples if your pitch involves a new product, so snail mail items to P.O. Box 2102, Orinda, CA 94563.
Your product should sell itself, Price advises. And since she and her partner are experienced moms themselves, they have a very good grip on the marketplace. Testimonials from
happy customers are always a plus.
Price doesn't mind email follow-ups to gently remind her of a pitch, but she does have one email taboo: attachments.
Comments
The ePregnancy.com Web site continues to flourish, and the editors will make use of the online community in the new print pub. While articles in the print publication will be
unique content, Price plans to incorporate quotes from community members and to link the two to each other. "We'll reference additional articles on a topic on the Web: 'If you
want to read more about yoga, come visit this message board or see this article.'"
Price and her team are working about three months out to complete the October issue of the print publication, and they're planning on getting even further ahead. "We really
like to get things in advance to assign to the appropriate writers," she advises.
In the Pipeline
Coming up in ePregnancy: Price says the editors are always on the lookout for items to make new parents' lives easier: "That could be a million things, from organizational tips
to ways to make it easier to put the car seat in the car." The writers are also looking for beauty and wellness issues particularly affecting pregnant women. In keeping with their
mission to cover "everything" pregnancy, they'll also be looking at topics as diverse as dreams during pregnancy and prenatal testing.