Publishing a Club Magazine Online?
Discussion
I belong to a large club that currently publishes a very good glossy magazine. However, this chews up a large budget. There is also a considerable overhead managing advertisers content and revenue and postage/logistics etc.. It is published every other month and about 1000 copies are printed and posted.
I suspect that the majority of members would be happy to substantially reduce their membership fee if the magazine could be published online. However, there are legitimate concerns around members sharing content with non-members and some members dropping out if they don't get their glossy copy. In fairness the paper copy is considered important by a significant minority of members, typically the 'old school' who shun technology.
Personally I don't read much of the mag and would be completely happy to receive an online copy and a much reduced subscription cost.
I'd like to propose a strategy that reduces all the overheads of cost and effort. What's the solution? Are there options? Is there some publishing or encryption software that will help? Your input/suggestions gratefully accepted....
I suspect that the majority of members would be happy to substantially reduce their membership fee if the magazine could be published online. However, there are legitimate concerns around members sharing content with non-members and some members dropping out if they don't get their glossy copy. In fairness the paper copy is considered important by a significant minority of members, typically the 'old school' who shun technology.
Personally I don't read much of the mag and would be completely happy to receive an online copy and a much reduced subscription cost.
I'd like to propose a strategy that reduces all the overheads of cost and effort. What's the solution? Are there options? Is there some publishing or encryption software that will help? Your input/suggestions gratefully accepted....
What's the problem with non members reading it? Presumably they can do this now if passed a hard copy from a member?
Plus I would have thought the chances of a non member joining after seeing the magazine were higher than any downside? I'd also think that the loss of 'old skool' would be outweighed by potential new members.
Why is it a problem if non members see the content? Is it your Lodge magazine?
Plus I would have thought the chances of a non member joining after seeing the magazine were higher than any downside? I'd also think that the loss of 'old skool' would be outweighed by potential new members.
Why is it a problem if non members see the content? Is it your Lodge magazine?
Some of the content is technical and members pay a premium for that, so the possibility/likelihood of sharing it would be a hard sell to the current club management. I don't disagree that once implemented it would be a relatively small problem (especially if pdf format or similar is used).
So I hear what you say, but I'd appreciate it if anyone knows of solutions?
So I hear what you say, but I'd appreciate it if anyone knows of solutions?
So you are asking for a Web developer?
Here you go
www.yows.co.uk
Or are you expecting someone to do all the work for free? Because you're starting to sound a little ungrateful.
Here you go
www.yows.co.uk
Or are you expecting someone to do all the work for free? Because you're starting to sound a little ungrateful.
You have offered one possible solution to my problem. I'm simply asking if anyone who actually knows the business can offer any alternatives. I'm not asking for a web developer. I'm asking for a packaged software solutions.
But thanks for your suggestion, I'm really, really grateful.
Or are you determined to start a disagreement?
But thanks for your suggestion, I'm really, really grateful.
Or are you determined to start a disagreement?
Pitre said:
I'd like to propose a strategy that reduces all the overheads of cost and effort. What's the solution? Are there options? Is there some publishing or encryption software that will help? Your input/suggestions gratefully accepted....
With the greatest respect, how is this your concern? Has someone in the club committee asked you spoecifically to come up with a solution?Are the committee members, magazine editor and contributors all happy enough with the present situation? A good quality magazine is usually seen as an important asset to a club and (often) for a large proportion of the membership it is the only thing the get out of their subscription.
Is the current magazine costing too much? Is it bringing the club finances down? If this is not the case, what do you propose to do with the considerable amount of members' money that you will save if the printed magazine is discontinued?
We'll, I'd like to reduce net costs, also reduce carbon footprint, also embrace technologies that online publishing provides. The significant benefits and potentially large savings can then be passed back to the members in reduced subscription rates. But of course they would need to be persuaded of these benefits....
Pitre said:
The significant benefits and potentially large savings can then be passed back to the members in reduced subscription rates. But of course they would need to be persuaded of these benefits....
Again, why is this your concern? Has someone asked you to look into it?It it ain't broke, it don't need fixing.
Sebring440 said:
Again, why is this your concern? Has someone asked you to look into it?
It it ain't broke, it don't need fixing.
With great respect, I'm asking whether anyone has experience of migration to this sort of online magazine, not views on the wisdom of it. I'm very aware of the arguments against, what I'm looking to do is to build a viable proposal. So no, nobody has asked me to look into it, I'm doing it off my own bat using initiative and free thought. Is that still allowed?It it ain't broke, it don't need fixing.
Dinoboy said:
I'm a member of quite a few car clubs and must admit I enjoy the printed magazines that come with membership. I'd be consulting the membership before going ahead with any changes (which I'm sure you've already considered).
Thanks, yes of course I will as no change of this sort could be implemented without general support, obviously.Gassing Station | Books and Literature | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff