Electronic or Print Magazine?

[RedArc]

Hi All,

What do you think about online magazines? Do you ever buy them?

As some of you will know, we publish a small press magazine called Be Inspired. We've been considering whether to make the publication available as a download for 3.00 per issue, but would welcome your views.

Is electronic publishing the way forward or do you prefer to receive a paper publication by snail mail that you can read in front of a blazing fire on a freezing evening?

Would you prefer lots of colour and design in your PDF magazine or more simple black & white text and images?

Look forward to reading your opinions.

Best wishes,

Mark

BTW - We recently sent some free samples of Be Inspired out to UKBF members in return for feedback. Alas, some of you haven't responded despite the recent pms. This feedback would be appreciated so please do get in touch.

[Jayne]

Hi,

I like both to read, but I do like a real paper mag to site down with, away from my computer with a pot of tea. It's not quite the same on the computer.

I'm more of a caravan and camping mag person myself, never read business mags or papers, unless I need to look up something, they feel like work to me, not time out :D

Jayne

[bitsnstuff]

Hi,

Guilty!! :oops: :oops:

I only got a chance to read the magazine late last night - sorry.

I found most of it interesting reading, but that is with the majority of publications, as it rarely all appeals to everyone. I did read it cover to cover. I really enjoyed the stories about people who had actually made a move to change their life and in line with the title, I did find many quotes and comments inspiring. The coaching/self help parts are not for me.

However, I was not impressed with the presentation of the magazine and I know that you mention on the first page that you are looking to change that as the magazine goes forward, but for £3.00, I can buy a glossy mag with images. I have shown it to others and at first glance they were put off by the look of the magazine, but once persuaded to read it, they too found some articles of interest.

I think it would be good as an online mag as well and would certainly spread the net further to increase your readership. You could also then consider online advertisers on the magazine and banners etc.

Having said all that, I would like to thank you for your copy and I look forward to seeing more.

Kate :D

[RedArc]

Thanks Jayne for your thoughts and thanks Kate for providing valued feedback. It's really much appreciated.

As we are a small-press, we sadly don't have the funds to produce a glossy print magazine, hence the plain black & white format, so we've been considering changing Be Inspired to an occasional electronic publication. We can certainly increase production values in a downloadable PDF version but need to ascertain whether people will buy.

We are currently having a re-think about the entire venture. We've had positive feedback on the inspiring content, which is great encouragement. We're just not sure whether people are embracing electronic magazines.

There is also the subject of information overload but that's a different topic again!

Best wishes,

Mark

[jen]

Hi Mark,

As Jane says I also prefer to read a printed mag - it's nice to have a minute or two just to sit down and relax with something interesting to read - I must admit I don't read lots of business type mags but if there is something interesting to read yes I would pick it up and read.

Glossy or B&W - personally I don't think it matters (that's just my opinion) whether it's coloured or B&W. I think the contents, features etc. are more important than what the magazine look like - as the saying goes it's what the inside that counts. :)

Online - again it depends because these days you get a lot of free newsletters - business or personal purpose. With people's hectic life I don't think they would enjoy having to flick through pages and pages of pdf files to read the mag - it's ok if it's only few pages like newsletter but for a magazine type then they might not even read half of the page.

I think having a printed magazine will enable your readers to connect with what your magazine has to offer - it's kind of a personal thing rather than just browsing online if that make sense.

Readers would appreciate your printed magazine more as they would read it at their leisure and not having to log on and log out just to read the mag online.

I guess as you said if you do both then you cover both avenues.

Best regard,

Jen

[YEM]

Hi,

I prefer a hard copy, I have had a few downloads and put them on my desktop to come back to - they are still there after 2 months, becasue I haven't got time to read them but with a hard copy, I can take it home and read at my leisure

[RedArc]

Thanks for your feedback; it's much appreciated. I will have a think about these points and review how we will proceed with future issues of Be Inspired.

Best wishes,

Mark

[MorethanWords]

Definitely print. I personally prefer to read something in a comfy place, and absorb it totally. I even find proofing material easier if I've got a hard copy.

Computers are great and the information you have access to is amazing, but magazines and newspapers will never die as most people like to curl up somewhere comfy or sit at the kitchen table with them.

However, if a downloadable version had a good readable layout, I wouldn't be adverse to printing it off and reading it I guess.

[clairemackaness]

I'm with Lu on this one, printed all the way. Cyber mag has some success with online though and a lot of his customers do print hi mag off and pop it in waiting rooms and stuff. Personally I think you have nothing to loose by creating both and that way you are accessing both types of customer. After all PDF costs nothing and as Kate sadi you could have different advertisers that would pay more as they get a direct link to their sites.

[cjd]

Getting people to pay for stuff on the internet is hard - getting them to pay for a magazine is probabably impossible - particularly one that people have never heard of.

You need to consider how many paid for on-line mags can you list?

Generally, I'd say you have to have a very specialised subject matter and a finely targetted audience to have any chance at all.

[ink4-u]

i like printed myself. i don't know why. Strange. It is the same with a DVD i can't sit infront of the PC i have to be by the TV. Cheers Jay