Change and all that..

[grahamb]

a few weeks ago, I included a comment in the article about "fundamental review of the magazine" or something similar. It generated some correspondence between Rodger (our Chairman)and I, that I havent discussed or shared but I suspect, not all of it came from Rodger.

As a result, I have been invited me to come up with some ideas from the forum for how aspects of the magazine in particular could be improved and put those to the committee. There has been a couple of requests for volunteers from me that hasnt generated the level of responses that come about when the magazine is late but that is human nature. I have a couple of volunteers to help with content - most probably re-using articles from here in someway but that helps others, not us, so we need to get our thinking caps on for ideas as I am meeting the committee on Friday evening.

To get the ball rolling, I have searched for previous posts on such matters and came up with two funadamental questions and some suggestions for change.

Questions

What is the magazines purpose and how much of the magazine and therefore the cost is aligned to the purpose?

As we have declining net membership, that is predicted to get worse in the next two or three years, is the magazine aimed at supporting existing members or the needs of new members, what ever those needs may be? (the assumptions being most people on the forum couldn’t care if they had the magazine or not?)

Suggestions for improvement and/or change:

Reduce number of magazines per year

Electronic circulation of existing magazine to reduce pricing postage costs on same number of magazines

Reduce fees with new membership options : forum only, electronic pdf version of magazines, overseas with option to give difference to tooling fund

Limit non-members forum posting rights if forum only membership introduced

Published plan for topics to cover in magazine with input from the forum and wider memberships

Parts and supplier recommendations from the club based upon the approach of other clubs take. Members only prices with suppliers or referral links from members section of club website to generate income indirectly.

If we can discuss this over the next couple of days and get some more suggestions, I will summarise and find a way of getting the messages across Friday night. Its not an open invitation, but dont suppose it would matter if anyone else wants to come along with me - Oxford area.

Thoughts?

[V Mad]

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grahamb wrote:

Questions

What is the magazines purpose and how much of the magazine and therefore the cost is aligned to the purpose?

I think the magazines purpose is twofold: 1. to keep non-internet users informed and enthused 2. To give some prestige to the club

As we have declining net membership, that is predicted to get worse in the next two or three years, is the magazine aimed at supporting existing members or the needs of new members, what ever those needs may be? (the assumptions being most people on the forum couldn’t care if they had the magazine or not?) I would say mainly supporting existing members as new members are mostly internet users and do not really need the mag. However, potential members may see lack of any mag as a lack of SOC prestige.

Suggestions for improvement and/or change:

Reduce number of magazines per year - Yes, to quarterly

Limit non-members forum posting rights if forum only membership introduced - No thats negative; keep the forum open, it has recruited many new members and brings in fresh ideas an enthusiasm!

Parts and supplier recommendations from the club based upon the approach of other clubs take. Members only prices with suppliers or referral links from members section of club website to generate income indirectly - Members need to feel they are getting support in this area as it is what members expect

[rogerk]

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Graham

I for one would be upset if we lost the magazine and I think eleven issues is right

(the assumptions being most people on the forum couldn’t care if they had the magazine or not?) I do not agree with this statement


there are members and possiblly new members who are still scared of the internet and therefore the magazine is a major part of keeping in touch (even if late)

I do not mind the A5 format but would not object strongly if it went to an A4 size



Just a start of some of my thoughts



Roger

[Kevin Garrod]

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Graham

I'm not too fussed about the mag, if the number of issues was reduced or there was an option to view the mag online, and that could be shown to help the club survive financially that's fine by me. I think there should be a discussion at least on non-members accessing the forum, perhaps a limited period where prospective members could join to find out if the club/forum was for them? Perhaps the ability to view pics could be withheld for non-members etc.

I don't think it is fair that those who contribute financially to the forum by their club membership should subsidise others who have no intention of joining. Having said that I recognise that there may be non-members who make a valuable contribution to the forum, so let's discuss it and see what everyone thinks.

If membership is going to continue to decline, things can't carry on the same.

[rogerk]

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V Mad wrote:

As we have declining net membership, that is predicted to get worse in the next two or three years, is the magazine aimed at supporting existing members or the needs of new members, what ever those needs may be? (the assumptions being most people on the forum couldn’t care if they had the magazine or not?) I would say mainly supporting existing members as new members are mostly internet users and do not really need the mag. However, potential members may see lack of any mag as a lack of SOC prestige.

I have had a new member join this year who hates the internet and will not get a computer:shock:

Magazine is good as a hard copy to hand out to prospective members at shows, etc,premotes a prestige image.,

Roger

[Andrew S]

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Kevin, I totally agree with your statement and support it. I think also, going down this route would retain membership which is just as important as new members.

As a coordinator, having the magazine as a monthly is better for events etc. My Father belongs to the Triumph 2000 register and they have been having problems with their mag but its boring to me being quarterly as its all old news when it does come out. I was looking at their 1st quarter 2009 and there were Christmas do articles. :?

Going back to theforum, I think it needs restrictions so that it remains a membership benefit and those that are not members yet, can have a taste and those that lapse, will loose out. I am not being critical, just being fair

Andrew

[grahamb]

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Does anyone keep the previous magazines - I would love to know how much printing and postage cost last year - ÂŁ100k sounds familar?

Assuming that figure is right, at 11 copies per year and 4000 members that helpsquantifies prestige - ÂŁ2.27 per magazine.

[Guest]

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Hi Graham, it's a complex issue, to answer out of sequence, the mag deals mostly with the wants of existing members, not the needs of new ones, Kingpin was the largest attraction for those looking for expert advice, either old or new, perhaps we can convince him of his value and persuade him to return, failing that, persuade a forum expert to take his place, we certainly have people who could fulfill this role.

I think the Area pages should bere-vamped, to start with, they should be listed alphabetically, not by region, they're too hard to search, ( ref. TSSC mag. )the region could be includedwith the Area name. Content, despite forum opinion, we can do nothing about, if the month's activity, especially in the off season, consists of social activity then so be it, that's what a lot of members join for.

While I am an enthusiastic member of the forum, it does consist of a vocal minority, and opinions should be considered in that light.

I don't believe reducing the number of issues per annum would be a good move, nor delivering some electronically, the degree ofcomplexity would be enormous.

Non-members should be encouraged to post, we want to invite people in, not exclude them whatever the reason.

While all the issues you raise need attention, this is not a business, primarily it's a means for like minded people to get together, also, it may be worth remembering that NOBODY likes change, don't go after the new guy and chuck out the old.

It is of great concern that membership numbers are dropping, it's not justan excuse to say that the same is true of every other car club, it is !

A few thoughts, please forgive my frankness.

I'm sure a lot of forum members are happy that you are speaking on our behalf, and I wish you luck for next Friday. Martin.

[Andrew S]

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Graham I think you are doing a great job representing the forum and points raised so far highlight the need for contribution from the forum to those members that do not do the Internet, being the majority of the club. Your articles each month glue the two elements together and I believe that the main objective is to get more people involved in contributing to the magazine. If someone has a good idea, they should be supported and given the opportunity to expand this in the magazine. The Kingpin as others have said is a loss but may not be forever. I found this the best bit and another reason why I keep all mu magazines as they have the images and articles in them to refer to.

Cheers

Andrew

[Guest]

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Andrew S wrote:

found this the best bit and another reason why I keep all mu magazines as they have the images and articles in them to refer to.

Cheers

Andrew

SNAP ! Martin.

[alan_thomas]

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May be worth reminding ourselves of the composition of the mag this month

15 pages of editorial - features chairmans report etc

18 pages of suppliers adverts

3 pages adverts for club merchanise

4 pages of 'small ads'

40 pages of regional reports

and this month only10 pages for National weekend



This makes over 90 pages in total, I could find no technical articles of any description.

- Alan

[NickA]

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Personally I'd reduce the mag to 6 a yearor even quarterly with a option to receive it electronically. I'm not bothered with a discount but I would like to see the money saved going into the Tooling Fund [1]

I don't get the prestige bit; having an active internet forum is far more prestigious IMHO than a glossy mag.

I'd keep the forum open to all, prospective new member should be able to post. Just look small minded not to.

[1]and what I'd really like is discounts for member on SOCTFL products. seeing we're funding it to the benefit of all and sundary.

[brian0443]

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Andrew S wrote:

I found this the best bit and another reason why I keep all mu magazines as they have the images and articles in them to refer to.

Cheers

Andrew

Likewise, But wouldn't it be so much easier if they were in an internet version and regularlycollated and indexed.

Brian

[Giles]

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I think the mag is a important part of the membership - I know a few on here would like it electronically but I do not think that would be acceptable to the majority - I would rather have the paper version and to be honest I think a lot of people would feel that they were gettinglittle their money without it.

I do think that the main thing that people want is technical articles, but it does not just have to be sorting problems - how about engine conversions, suspension upgrades etc etc

I am afraid the area reports are just toomuch in my opinion - they could be condensed to a calendar of events and possibly a brief report if there has been something unusual - it forms far too much of the mag and unless it is your area you do not read it! Personally I think that this is the main area for change.

[TimShoubridge]

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rogerk wrote:

Magazine is good as a hard copy to hand out to prospective members at shows, etc,premotes a prestige image.,

Roger

Prestige image? Maybe this is fundamentally the root cause of our problems.

What is prestige about a stag or our club? I'm sorry, but as much as I would not change my car at present, I do not see it or the club as prestige in comparison to others. It is in the eye of the beholder and prospective member or purchaser as to the value of prestige.

I think that there are many more fundamental questions of value and contribution that need to be answered before we embark on a prestige value proposition.