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.
Actually, I had 1000 of these made on 3x5 inch card stock at 10 cents each. So for $100 I have an effective way to "connect" with the "casual swimming" public. Of course, my web link is "commercial", but there's no reason why it couldn't be linked to on-line swimming info.
1193
Let me tell you, the average swimmer eats this type of stuff up, they watch me swimming "easy" and think that's an incredible feat, so they pretty much listen when I speak about swimming. It doesn't matter that I'm a dime a dozen, truth be told, it's my sales/writing ability that sets me apart from the average. This is where the bread and butter is, my friends. Swimming sales person meets general public, let the web page do the rest.
Marjorie, I'm going to trust that you'll keep your word and forward this idea on to the appropriate people.
Absolutely, Jonathan. I have directed the thread to the editor's attention (editor@usms.org). Could you please PM me with info on acquiring your workout cards? Thanks!
Jayhawk, Thank you for the info on decals and stickers!
Lindsay, Thank you for the info on Masters Swimming Canada! I looked at the site, and it seemed to be in the process of building its online presence. I agree that a magazine, a physical printed object, serves a purpose of unifying membership (which definitely has a dollar value, altho' one a little more difficult to compute for bottom-line purposes). I'm sure USMS org could find something to do with $300k, but as it has made a commitment to the mag for a period of time, let's have the best we can.
My thought was to give some space to Canadian activities from time to time, perhaps in a new column for chapter activities or reproducing an article published in the chapter newsletter. Thus, one quarter we might have an article from Philly chapter, another quarter from Austin, another quarter from Pacific Masters, another quarter from Canada.
I spend my life reading, writing, and editing online and probably wouldn't add another online reading obligation. A printed mag makes me very happy.
I'd be in favor of technique videos
Lapswimmer - It's hard to create a balance sheet for a print publication that has indirect benefits overall, or that an org deems "right" for it to do because it increases the public profile of the org. For example, might the recidivist rate (annual non-renewal rate of USMS membership) be higher without a mag? It's awfully difficult to say. A mag has something for the members to come together over; it contributes to organization's sense of itself as an entity.
I have now forwarded this entire thread to the Swimmer editor, who is doing a creditable job, for which I thank him. Please continue with brainstorming and responses!
VB
Actually, I had 1000 of these made on 3x5 inch card stock at 10 cents each. So for $100 I have an effective way to "connect" with the "casual swimming" public. Of course, my web link is "commercial", but there's no reason why it couldn't be linked to on-line swimming info.
1193
Let me tell you, the average swimmer eats this type of stuff up, they watch me swimming "easy" and think that's an incredible feat, so they pretty much listen when I speak about swimming. It doesn't matter that I'm a dime a dozen, truth be told, it's my sales/writing ability that sets me apart from the average. This is where the bread and butter is, my friends. Swimming sales person meets general public, let the web page do the rest.
Marjorie, I'm going to trust that you'll keep your word and forward this idea on to the appropriate people.
Absolutely, Jonathan. I have directed the thread to the editor's attention (editor@usms.org). Could you please PM me with info on acquiring your workout cards? Thanks!
Jayhawk, Thank you for the info on decals and stickers!
Lindsay, Thank you for the info on Masters Swimming Canada! I looked at the site, and it seemed to be in the process of building its online presence. I agree that a magazine, a physical printed object, serves a purpose of unifying membership (which definitely has a dollar value, altho' one a little more difficult to compute for bottom-line purposes). I'm sure USMS org could find something to do with $300k, but as it has made a commitment to the mag for a period of time, let's have the best we can.
My thought was to give some space to Canadian activities from time to time, perhaps in a new column for chapter activities or reproducing an article published in the chapter newsletter. Thus, one quarter we might have an article from Philly chapter, another quarter from Austin, another quarter from Pacific Masters, another quarter from Canada.
I spend my life reading, writing, and editing online and probably wouldn't add another online reading obligation. A printed mag makes me very happy.
I'd be in favor of technique videos
Lapswimmer - It's hard to create a balance sheet for a print publication that has indirect benefits overall, or that an org deems "right" for it to do because it increases the public profile of the org. For example, might the recidivist rate (annual non-renewal rate of USMS membership) be higher without a mag? It's awfully difficult to say. A mag has something for the members to come together over; it contributes to organization's sense of itself as an entity.
I have now forwarded this entire thread to the Swimmer editor, who is doing a creditable job, for which I thank him. Please continue with brainstorming and responses!
VB
