After finding out Swimmer takes 30% of our budget,I was thinking how to make it better.I think it is perhaps fine as it is now for what it does now,but if it is to help us grow...
What do you think?
Rodale had a magazine called "Fitness Swimmer' a few years ago and I thought it was excellent and I think implied that such a mag could be(almost) profitable.The current 4 in one format of "Swimming World" now seems excellent.Perhaps Swimmer should have sections:Competitive Swimmer,fitness swimmer,tri,noodlers(to be totally inclusive.)This might help with the problem of technique articles in Swimmer.The articles seem aimed for the middle and are too simple for elite swimmers and too advanced for beginners.
If you want to sell issues how about more pictures of good looking Masters swimmers in swim suits(it worked for Sports Illustrated.)
I don't find the "new product"section very helpful as it just gives what the company says.How about product testing? I expect a company would be glad to say"our goggles were the top rated by USMS-publicity for us.)If you really want to sell how about product testing on LZR vsTracer Rise,vs Nero Comp.I bet most swimmers,coaches,and parents would be interested in that.
Parents
Former Member
How did that make it go under exactly?
As far as USMS Swimmer I think it's pretty well done. I always at least flip through it. I have to say I very rarely read it cover-to-cover, though. I'd like to see more emphasis on competition, e.g. coverage of Nationals and other major meets/OW swims.
I agree with Kirk. Recognizing that a large portion of the membership base does not compete, I understand why the mag can't be heavily weighted toward the competitive swimmer; however, it feels like the competitive swimmer is totally ignored. After each nationals a summary article is run, but what about the rest of the year?
Some of the articles read like they were written for the junior high school paper. Masters swimmers are adults who want to be informed, educated, inspired, and entertained. Too many of the articles are fluff, without in depth analysis of the subject matter. So much so I can't remember a single article from a recent issue that was thought provoking or needing a second look.
The old (pre-Swimmer) version of the mag used to have the monthly workout on a pull-out stock card. I also remember those workouts including several intervals for novice, intermediate & hard versions of the workout. The pull cards were great. You could take it right to the pool, or save the workouts without having to keep or copy the mag.
I also agree that the product section needs to be more than just a page full of ads. Why not ask a few people to test the products and write a review? Reading the testimonial of a real USMS member would be much more valuable than reading the manufacturer's hype. The manufacturer could even use those reviews in future ads. USMS could ask members to volunteer to become part of the 'reader panel' and be randomly selected to test/compare products.
How did that make it go under exactly?
As far as USMS Swimmer I think it's pretty well done. I always at least flip through it. I have to say I very rarely read it cover-to-cover, though. I'd like to see more emphasis on competition, e.g. coverage of Nationals and other major meets/OW swims.
I agree with Kirk. Recognizing that a large portion of the membership base does not compete, I understand why the mag can't be heavily weighted toward the competitive swimmer; however, it feels like the competitive swimmer is totally ignored. After each nationals a summary article is run, but what about the rest of the year?
Some of the articles read like they were written for the junior high school paper. Masters swimmers are adults who want to be informed, educated, inspired, and entertained. Too many of the articles are fluff, without in depth analysis of the subject matter. So much so I can't remember a single article from a recent issue that was thought provoking or needing a second look.
The old (pre-Swimmer) version of the mag used to have the monthly workout on a pull-out stock card. I also remember those workouts including several intervals for novice, intermediate & hard versions of the workout. The pull cards were great. You could take it right to the pool, or save the workouts without having to keep or copy the mag.
I also agree that the product section needs to be more than just a page full of ads. Why not ask a few people to test the products and write a review? Reading the testimonial of a real USMS member would be much more valuable than reading the manufacturer's hype. The manufacturer could even use those reviews in future ads. USMS could ask members to volunteer to become part of the 'reader panel' and be randomly selected to test/compare products.
