How Is It Going? | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 9, 1915

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 10.

“How Is It Going?”

The speaker was asking about the Exposition Number of the Signs of the Times Magazine.

He found his friend, a member of the circulation department, quite enthusiastic, and full of facts and figures.

“Fine!” came the reply. Adding, he said: “The prospects are good for a record-breaking sale. Usually by this time of the month we have orders for about 16,000 copies. How many of the Exposition Number do you suppose have been ordered?”

“I’m not very good at guessing. Suppose you tell me.”

“Very well; 32,000 copies.”

“Good! How do you account for the increase?”

“There are several contributing reasons, no doubt. Some credit is due the editors and the artists, for they have produced an excellent magazine. But we are inclined to think it is largely due to the demand of the public for publications of this character, and our representatives have been quick to recognize this demand.”

“How do you secure these representatives, whose cooperation you seem to prize?”

“They volunteer their help. You see it is this way: They order in quantities of five and upward, some as high as 500 a month. 5c a copy is paid for 5 to 40 copies, and 4c a copy for 50 or more. By selling at the regular retail price of 10c, a fair profit is earned. Suppose, for instance, a representative pays 4c a copy for 50; they cost him $2.00, don’t they? Now, then, he sells them for 10c a copy. Gross returns, $5.00, you see; or a profit of $3.00. Many of them do as well as that.”

“They take subscriptions, too, I suppose?”

“O, yes! And a commission of 40 per cent is allowed. You will remember that a few days ago you paid the regular yearly rate of $1.00. If an agent had taken that subscription, he would be entitled to 40c. Those who work for subscriptions in connection with selling do well. Our subscription list has been growing very rapidly of late. Over 1,500 new ones were received last month.”

“I know a friend who could spare a little time each month with your magazine. I’ll tell her about your plan if you wish.”

“We will appreciate it ever so much if you will do so. We want a lot more representatives in every state, and are always glad to have our friends speak a good word for us. Tell her to order through our state depository, please, as we do a wholesaling business with the depositories only.”