Server Not Servant

Archive for July, 2022

#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood: GoFundMe

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 07/30/2022

It is extremely humbling to ask for financial support to fulfill a dream. Publishing my book, ‘I’m Your Server, Not Your Servant,’ [A Voice for Service Industry Workers Everywhere. A Case for Human-to-Human Service and Decency] has been a dream and work in progress since 2009.

After launching a few personal and professional ‘pivots’ recently, several folks reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my Walking Boston project and expedite the publication of my Server Not Servant book with a donation. This fundraiser is a grassroots initiative of small donations to help finance both complementary projects.

On Tuesday, August 16, 2022, I’m launching a walking journey in East Boston that will cover and showcase the heart of every Boston neighborhood. The inaugural walk departs at 7am from the Wood Island T stop on the Blue Line-Bennington Street side at the bus circle. Each walk will be at least a half marathon, 13.1+ miles. Large neighborhoods like Eastie, Dorchester, Southie, Roxbury, and Hyde Park, will be covered in 2 walks totaling at least a marathon, 26.2 miles. Smaller neighborhoods, the North End, Back Bay, West End, and Chinatown will be combined into one half-marathon walk. I hope some of you will join me for a portion of the adventure. All are welcome.

The inspiration, vision, mission, and goals of Walking Boston:

#1-Explore and showcase Boston’s neighborhoods by walking deep into every one of them, discovering hidden gems and the real ‘heart and soul’ of each hood. I’ll be sharing pics and experiences along the way while raising money for local Boston area non-profits. Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary. Others will be added as the walks progress.
#2-It’s time to ‘get out there’ (away from the computer) and inspire some real, tangible change and good in the world.
#3-Raise awareness and funding for my Server Not Servant book in progress advocating for service industry workers and ‘service’ to our fellow humans. The walks will also inspire content for the book. Walking is very conducive to creative thinking and action for me.
#4-Find a publisher and sign a contract (for book publication) before the end of the Boston walks.
#5-Promote and support Boston independent, Mom & Pop, neighborhood restaurants and small businesses.
#6-Walking with, and meeting, great humans.
#7-Learning more about Boston neighborhoods and enjoying the discovery and adventures along the way.
#8-The physical and mental health benefits of walking.

Yes, it’s ironic to raise money for a project with a mission that includes raising awareness and donations for non-profits. The reality is that #WalkingBoston could take up to 2 years and will cover more than 650 miles. The time, training, planning, logistics, and follow-up require finances to keep me walking, writing, and promoting the non-profits I’m partnering with.

Finances-Walking Boston:

• Technology for recording and reporting walks. [Laptop, phone, mobile chargers, website maintenance and hosting, etc.]
• Printing large maps from City of Boston website to plan each walk.
• Chiropractor, Stretch PT, Dental, and all medical expenses not covered by insurance.
• Shoes, socks, pants and vest w/pockets + clothes for walks.
• Snacks, water, food and beverage for walks, including for walking partners and people I meet on the streets and in the neighborhoods. [I’m working on distributing gift certificates to neighborhood businesses.]
• Transportation to and from walks. I’ll take the T whenever possible to save money.

Finances-Publishing Server Not Servant Book:

I am in the process of researching every option to publish my book. My preference is to hire an independent (preferably Boston-based) company for Book Proposal Writing and Editing for submission to publishers to secure a contract. If I choose to self-publish, there are several steps and costs involved, including editing, proofreading, illustrations, graphics, copyright, LCCN registration, imprint setup, printing, shipping, audio books, marketing, and promotions, to name a few…

A copy of the book will be shipped to everyone who donates here, regardless of the amount. Small donations add up and are greatly appreciated.

Please indicate if there is something specific from the lists above (or your own idea) that you would like your donation applied to.

Please Note: Proceeds from this campaign are not automatically donated to the non-profits I am partnering with. However, if donations are substantial, I may choose to designate some of the funds to those non-profits. Designated links to all of the #WalkingBoston non-profit partners can be found in this blog post.

Full Disclosure: If the amount of donations received exceeds the costs outlined above (or emergencies require), I reserve the right to allocate a portion of the funds received to help family, friends, and strangers I meet on my walks in dire need who wish to remain anonymous.

Thank you for your consideration and support. I’m grateful, even if you don’t donate. Please consider sharing this GoFundMe link and SNS blog with your network. I hope you’ll follow (and perhaps join) the journey.

Donations can be made here. 

Cheers-Patrick Maguire

#WalkingBoston #ServerNotServant

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Maguire Promotions-PR, Marketing, Social Media & Hospitality Consulting Monthly Subscription

Book Chapter: Rules of Engagement

Posted: 07/4/2022

I’m proud to announce the launch of Maguire Promotions Monthly Subscription Service available to restaurants and small businesses. This ‘pivot’ is the culmination of more than 8 years of operating an independent business providing PR, marketing, promotions, social media, and hospitality consulting. It is the continuation of my strategic initiative to leverage, monetize, and collaborate with the valuable network that I have cultivated and partnered with over the last 40+ years.

My current network consists of 2,800 (IG), 4,690 (Twitter), 10,400 combined Facebook platforms, 3,500 email, and 2,693 (LinkedIn) contacts, totaling more than 24,000 people. Every day of the week I review my social media feeds, multiple media platforms, email, and targeted Google alerts, constantly seeking ideas and tools to benefit my clients. I get it that business owners are looking for someone to sort through all of that for them because most are consumed with the day-to-day operations of their restaurant or business. I also know that independent, Mom & Pop, neighborhood businesses have been ravaged by the plague (myself included) and don’t have budgets for PR and many of the services that I provide. I’m offering a fair and reasonable way to supplement what you are currently doing to keep your brand current and relevant, broaden your customer base, increase your media coverage, and make more money.

I have immediate openings for new subscribers beginning August 1. The first businesses to commit via email, text, or DM by the end of business on Friday, 7/29 will begin the first 3 months of service upon receipt of payment. First come, first served. Beyond 7/29, pricing and availability will be TBD, based on availability of my time and ‘supply and demand.’

Email: patrick@servernotservant.com. Cell: 617-510-5682.

Services Included with 3-Month Subscription

1. Copies of Maguire Promotions Social Media Strategy, Social Media Daily Checklist, Event Promotions, Instagram Strategy, Successful Strategies at jm Curley, and Complimentary Content (media, reviews, etc.) Response.
2. Previous 3-month audit/review of all of your social media posts/content. Report findings and make recommendations to your designated team via group email. Phone consult after review of findings, if necessary.
3. Review of website, all social media profiles, branding, Google search, newsletters, and media coverage.
4. Read past 3 months of all online reviews and make recommendations. Discuss and understand business strategy with respect to ‘amateur’ reviews.
5. Daily review of all of your social media posts and threads. Provide feedback and recommend edits and responses in comment threads when necessary.
6. Amplify your social media posts by liking, commenting, defending, and sharing when appropriate, especially events you are hosting and participating in, and food & drink specials. This includes retweets with personal comments and #hashtags. (Yes, you should have a twitter account. I can help you establish one if you don’t.)
7. I will notify your staff of any opportunities I see to invite potential customers to your business. I often see threads online where people describe a scenario seeking a restaurant that is a great fit.
8. As I mentioned above, I will constantly be seeking ways to promote your restaurant/business and improve your operation. I read and review everything I can locally, nationally and internationally about restaurants and business, and will forward anything that I feel is relevant and can help you.
9. Access to my network for vendors, contractors, legal, licensing, and potential staff/recruiting referrals. I am often contacted by people seeking employment. For management positions, please see #12 in ‘additional services’ below.
10. Referral and introduction to Boston’s most professional and well-respected hospitality publicist.
11. Confidential vetting of prospective new hires.
12. Subscription includes at least one visit to eat and drink at your restaurant and promotion on my social media platforms. [$100 gift certificate included in pricing below.]  This includes encouraging my ‘followers’ to follow all of your social media platforms.  Just don’t call me a ‘foodie’ or an ‘influencer…’  (For additional visits and promotions, please see #5 below.)
13. Live phone conversations/consults following up on all of the above.

It’s very important to note that my services outlined above do not include taking over the management of your social media and creating content for you. My collaborations with monthly subscribers will work best with restaurants and businesses that have dedicated, internal, social media managers on your staff, or an external vendor. My complementary consulting role is best described as a ‘watchdog’ or advocate looking out for you, your business, and your team.

Pricing: Minimum 3-month commitment is $750, paid upfront, plus $100 gift certificate. The cost breaks down to $250/month. After 3 months, the cost to continue the subscription is $275 per month, payable 30 days in advance. After 3 months, the subscription will continue month-to-month until cancelled by either party with one month lead time. Payment can be made via Venmo @Patrick-Maguire-32, PayPal, or check.

FYI, I personally will be servicing all accounts and communicating directly with your team, no interns or anyone else.

Additional à la carte Services

Please Note: Services listed below are available to all, but discounted for subscribers.

1. Press release and distribution to media for special events, anniversaries, etc. (Pricing depends on whether or not I’ll be creating the content or just editing.)
2. In-person brainstorming/consult/strategy sessions.
3. Crisis Management.
4. Dedicated Blog Post featuring your restaurant/business, similar to this feature of Formaggio Kitchen, or this one on Vee Vee in Jamaica Plain. (Those offerings are no longer complimentary.)
5. As I indicated in #11 above, the initial, 3-month commitment includes eating and drinking at your restaurant or patronizing your business at least once. Promotion on my social media platforms accompany the visit. Additional visits and promotions can be negotiated with additional gift certificates beyond the initial $100. We can also work something out if I attend and promote events you are hosting.
6. Evaluate current training manuals and recommend edits, editions, improvements.
7. Attendance and/or participate in special events, ‘guest’ bartending, etc.
8. Staff Training-Hospitality Workshop.
9. Editing content of newsletters, emails, negotiations, strategic communications, etc. I also refer 2 retired English teachers to clients seeking technical, grammatical scrutiny.
10. Attend and evaluate staff training sessions.
11. Company email database management and newsletter services.
12. Management level staff recruitment. (Fee-for-service, 2-tiered. #1-Posting job. #2-Refering hired candidate = % of salary.)

If you’re looking for the most affordable way to boost for your business, I look forward to working with you.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you-Patrick

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