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.
Yes, non-USMS swimmers may purchase a subscription at: www.usmsswimmer.com/subscribe.
It's described as a benefit of membership. That's a very common relationship: one becomes a member and receives the membership mag, the production of which is supported in part by member fees (I don't actually know how the money moves, in this case).
Perhaps a few copies could be strategically placed in swimming venues as a trial, to see if membership increases. I think any increase through this tactic would be non-trackable, and probably not worth the effort.
Is there a reason that Swimmer is only for the membership? Would it be horrible if other swimmers--such as those on the forums who love swimming and being a lap swimmer but have not yet decided to join masters were to subscribe to the magazine?
I think opening up the pool of recipients might generate some good turn-out and in return-generate a greater awareness of masters swimming and maybe even encourage some of those lurkers to join. I'm sure if it was open to others to subscribe that you could get doctors offices to subscribe (esp. those that deal with athletes on a more regular basis) and gyms that have magazines for those in the cardio rooms, and that would be in addition to any other individuals who might subscribe. I know its a nice perk to have this exclusive master's swimming magazine--but it would be a more effective magazine if it hit two or three birds with one stone--making it more worthwhile for the money and efforts it costs.
Yes, non-USMS swimmers may purchase a subscription at: www.usmsswimmer.com/subscribe.
It's described as a benefit of membership. That's a very common relationship: one becomes a member and receives the membership mag, the production of which is supported in part by member fees (I don't actually know how the money moves, in this case).
Perhaps a few copies could be strategically placed in swimming venues as a trial, to see if membership increases. I think any increase through this tactic would be non-trackable, and probably not worth the effort.
Is there a reason that Swimmer is only for the membership? Would it be horrible if other swimmers--such as those on the forums who love swimming and being a lap swimmer but have not yet decided to join masters were to subscribe to the magazine?
I think opening up the pool of recipients might generate some good turn-out and in return-generate a greater awareness of masters swimming and maybe even encourage some of those lurkers to join. I'm sure if it was open to others to subscribe that you could get doctors offices to subscribe (esp. those that deal with athletes on a more regular basis) and gyms that have magazines for those in the cardio rooms, and that would be in addition to any other individuals who might subscribe. I know its a nice perk to have this exclusive master's swimming magazine--but it would be a more effective magazine if it hit two or three birds with one stone--making it more worthwhile for the money and efforts it costs.
