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
Swimmers are among the best educated, highest paid interest group in the world. There is no reason that the magazine cannot get better advertisers as do many other interest group magazines.
This is a remarkable comment, and I completely agree. It would also help to have a commissioned sales person make that case to potential advertisers, "selling" space in the magazine. This could reduce the production cost away from the "membership", given that the board agreed to the products being promoted. Initial prices would be a bargain compared to other magazines, which would be an attractive feature for a business wanting to get into print.
Swimmers are among the best educated, highest paid interest group in the world. There is no reason that the magazine cannot get better advertisers as do many other interest group magazines.
This is a remarkable comment, and I completely agree. It would also help to have a commissioned sales person make that case to potential advertisers, "selling" space in the magazine. This could reduce the production cost away from the "membership", given that the board agreed to the products being promoted. Initial prices would be a bargain compared to other magazines, which would be an attractive feature for a business wanting to get into print.
