We received Netball magazine yesterday for the first time. As happens with Network Services, we were not asked if we wanted this title or whether we had the space. The title (new for us) arrived without any collateral so we put it on the shelf and hope that someone notices it. This in itself is a challenge because it is the only title of its type and we only received two copies.
In placing the title, I wondered, do we put it in the sports (mainly men’s) area or in with women’s health titles? We went with sports. I may give it a counter push next week because it strikes me as a title people will purchase if they know we have it.
I’d prefer magazine distributors to ask before they send me new titles. I’d also prefer them arrive on our shelves with coillateral tactics which are designed to help them find customers. Just getting shelf space in a newsagency does not achieve this. that said, we permit our national network to be used this way.
The barrier to entry for magazines reaching our cahnnel is too low.
As for the Netball title itself, it looks pretty good. The challenge is finding those with this narrow interest.
Netball is not a narrow interest.
It is played by many thousands of girls all over Australia every weekend.
Good point Ralph. I meant in the context of buying a magazine on the topic.
Hi all
We are a small independent publisher in Qld looking at publishing new title for national distribution in Kids Fashion. A quarterly magazine backed up with A3 posters possibly using Fairfax.
Would love any feedback on potential problems, sales, etc. Appreciate low margins you receive make it hard and are happy to increase if possible thru distributors. Having meeting next week. Any feedback most appreciated.
Tom,
if you are going to use a distributor, use a magazine specialist and ot Fairfax. magazine disgributors will get you direct to more newsagents.
Tom,
Marks advice is spot on. As a retail only newsagent i begrudge stocking Faifax mags (cant even get a local rep to call me back) as i recieve a much smaller commission so please use one of the magazine distributors and then we all win!
Cheers
Al