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
"If the magazine were to be sold on a newsstand then how could it possibly be a special advantage to be a member? "
Because you would get it WITHOUT paying additional fees. It would be INCLUDED with you membership. Just like Sports Illustrated is for various sport clubs.
"National organizations are extremely difficult to form and to then make successful. USMS has been successful."
Yes, great organization, proud to be a member. (My decal is on my vehicle, all my friends know I am a Master's Swimmer.) But the word "been" is the point. I am concerned that an organization who is going to apparently going to operate at a loss, can continue as "successful" Success is constant, must always be renewed. I personally love the magazine for what it is, and always get my copy. But when the amount needed to keep it going puts a strain on the Organizations budget, maybe it needs another look at. Oh, and by the way if you dont read the meeting notes on this site, you are missing some important information. For example: I would agree with the board, that knowing the salaries of the employees is important, and to say(as some did a reent meeting)that the wages of the employees is confidential even to the Board that oversees same Organization,makes me laugh. LOL
"If the magazine were to be sold on a newsstand then how could it possibly be a special advantage to be a member? "
Because you would get it WITHOUT paying additional fees. It would be INCLUDED with you membership. Just like Sports Illustrated is for various sport clubs.
"National organizations are extremely difficult to form and to then make successful. USMS has been successful."
Yes, great organization, proud to be a member. (My decal is on my vehicle, all my friends know I am a Master's Swimmer.) But the word "been" is the point. I am concerned that an organization who is going to apparently going to operate at a loss, can continue as "successful" Success is constant, must always be renewed. I personally love the magazine for what it is, and always get my copy. But when the amount needed to keep it going puts a strain on the Organizations budget, maybe it needs another look at. Oh, and by the way if you dont read the meeting notes on this site, you are missing some important information. For example: I would agree with the board, that knowing the salaries of the employees is important, and to say(as some did a reent meeting)that the wages of the employees is confidential even to the Board that oversees same Organization,makes me laugh. LOL
