I received a message to call a mobile phone number earlier this week. No name, just a number. I returned the call and had a good a lively discussion with someone who started by asking why I am so critical of independent publishers.
It turns out that the caller was Ruth Cunningham, Publisher of Fisherman and Boatowner, the title I have blogged about here and here.
We had a good, robust discussion. I learnt more about their challenges and Ruth learnt more about ours. I appreciated the discussion. We each corrected misconceptions held by the other – that’s my take away at least. Ruth thought I hd told newsagents to take the title off the shelves – I did not.
I was not aware that small independent publishers are doing it tough as they are. They are as cash starved by some aspects of the magazine supply as newsagents. While newsagents pay for magazines on 30 day terms, publishers can wait up to 90 days from supply before being paid.
Newsagents cannot fix the cash-flow challenge for independent publishers. What we can do is know about independent Australian titles and more actively promote them. This is something marketing groups could do for members – newsXpress has done this several times already. Magazine distributors could also package promotions around related independent titles – to help newsagents better promote these titles in-store.
For their part, independent publishers could consider talking up newsagents in their publications. For example, guiding readers to visit their newsagent and ask for a putaway – to ensure supply would demonstrate practical support. The melbourne Observer newspaper does this with considerable success.
By finding ways to provide mutual support, small business newsagents and small business independent publishers could leverage each other for a brighter future. The key is that terms are commercial – both sides need to make a buck and neither should be a charity.
Maybe it is time for a public forum between newsagents and independent publishers – the common objectives and challenges of the two groups would make for some valuable dialogue.
I am grateful to Ruth for the conversation earlier this week. I hope we do it again.
Mark;
Sound to me like they are in serious damage control. Whilst i applaud the phone call from the Publisher for making the telephone call, it does NOT excuse the letter that was published in the Editor’s column 2 editions ago asking all readers to bypass the newsagency channel. I have yet to see an apology in further editions. I have discontinued this title and will refuse to have it on my shelves until i see a full retraction. I don’t think i am being harsh about the issue; their are publishers out their that are breaking their neck to have a crack at the newsagency channel.
Vaughan Lawrence
Beechworth Newsagency
“a public forum between newsagents and independent publishers” – An interesting idea. If nothing else it could help develop a more sound commercial relationship between the two groups. At its best, both industries could come away with a mass of new ideas and innovations.
Maybee it is time for some more firect communication between independant publishers and newsagents. In some aspects this could be far more benificial to both parties than using the distributors as the communication link.
100% agree with you vaughan