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.
As an LMSC chair and a participant at the annual convention, I would suppose that you know that there are about 30% of members that are not internet connected for one reason or another.
To suggest that we go entirely to web based publishing is short sighted at best. Parts of the magazine are already on the web, but to lock out many world record holders because they choose not to be connected would be counter productive. We must have the magazine in a tangible form, the trick is to print things that everyone wants to read. About 80% of the membership is non-competitive. They do not necessarily want to read pages of splits and race results, even though that is fascinating to many competitors. I think a true, competitive product evaluation is a bully idea, and will promote the concept.
Once USMS has grown to 150,000 members, we will start to attract sponsors and advertisers that can pony up some serious money, presuming we are ready to promote their products effectively in the magazine and at events. Are you all prepared for 8 foot high banners touting the benefits of viagra or ex-lax?
As an LMSC chair and a participant at the annual convention, I would suppose that you know that there are about 30% of members that are not internet connected for one reason or another.
To suggest that we go entirely to web based publishing is short sighted at best. Parts of the magazine are already on the web, but to lock out many world record holders because they choose not to be connected would be counter productive. We must have the magazine in a tangible form, the trick is to print things that everyone wants to read. About 80% of the membership is non-competitive. They do not necessarily want to read pages of splits and race results, even though that is fascinating to many competitors. I think a true, competitive product evaluation is a bully idea, and will promote the concept.
Once USMS has grown to 150,000 members, we will start to attract sponsors and advertisers that can pony up some serious money, presuming we are ready to promote their products effectively in the magazine and at events. Are you all prepared for 8 foot high banners touting the benefits of viagra or ex-lax?
