A blog on issues affecting Australia's newsagents, media and small business generally. More ...

Newsagency

Just read: Killing Fairfax

Killing Fairfax is an excellent read, I couldn’t put it down over the last couple of days. Beyond telling the story of how successive leaders of the once giant media company missed online opportunities, the book takes us deep into Australian media family rivalries thanks to excellent on the record sources.

Newsagents wondering about the future of newspapers ought to read this book. It’s pages are drenched with insights newsagents could benefit from as they plan their future.

Beyond the question of the future of print, this is an excellent business book and most instructive for businesses facing the challenges of disruption to the model they were founded.

Kudos to author Pamela Williams. I highly recommend Killing Fairfax.

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Media disruption

An homage to the local UK newsagent

Check out the homage to the local UK newsagent by Son’ Emirali – Founder and Director of Plog Magazine and Online Designer at Estée Lauder Companies UK.  Here is what he has done in creating his new book, Fosters:

In the heart of Brockley Rise, South East London, lies a corner shop like no other, Fosters Newsagents. A 90 year old newsagents that is renowned for its vast amount of excessive stock, overpowering layout, welcoming service and of course the greatest sweet selection one could ever dream of. This 136 paged book de-constructs the overload of stock, colour, and categorisation whilst introducing dialog of conversations which replicate the daily atmosphere. Thanks to Rodney, his wife and the customers for making this book possible.

As I noted, this book is an homage. Just wonderful.  Be sure to click on the link and look at the photos.

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Newsagency

Greek Beat magazine opportunity for newsagents

Elias Farogiannis, the publisher of Greek Beat magazine has contacted me offering distribution of the title free to newsagents who would like to sell it – cover price $2.95.

Greek Beat is new.  It’s in English and Greek and targets readers between 18 and 60. Newsagents would know from the newspapers they sell whether they are in the right location to support a Greek magazine.

Here is the pitch from the publisher:

The layout is modern and unique covering different topics that include: Entertainment, Fashion, Travel, Recipes, Lifestyle, Beauty and Sport, which makes it a magazine suited for all ages.

Newsagents can simply order to stock the magazine by sending an email to distribution@greekbeat.com.au including their contact details and delivery address for the magazines.

Greek Beat will be FREE for 2 months for newsagents to trial the magazine.

This looks like a good opportunity for newsagents to find a market for the new title with little risk. It’s a cool way for a publisher to launch a title.

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magazines

Vale Ian Turner

Ian Turner, former owner of Rutherford Newsagency in New South Wales, passed away last night.  A long term member of the Board of NANA and a strident supporter of the newsagency channel, Ian was well known among newsagents and suppliers.  Ian liked to innovate the newsagency retail offer and often played outside the traditional model, providing inspiration for other newsagents.

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Newsagency

Vale Gary Angus

I was saddened to hear this morning of the death of Gary Angus of newsXpress Pall Mall.   Losing any newsagent is sad, losing someone at their workplace is even more so.

Gary was a genuine character in the newsagency channel as well as in Bendigo, a loveable larrakin some might say.  He was a great supporter of our channel and key suppliers.   Gary will be sadly missed.

 

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Newsagency

Sunday marketing tip for newsagents: Newspaper headline art

If you want to run a customer competition which gets them creatively engaged with newspapers, consider a headline art competition.  Keep it simple.  Ask that they create an item of art using recent newspaper headlines.  It could be visual or written art, as long as headlines are used.  Get a local panel of art experts to judge the winner.

The prize does not need to be grand.  The real reward is in entries and finalists being on show in your newsagency or somewhere nearby where you can leverage your involvement.

If the competition revolves around headlines in the local newspaper which is sold in your store all the better, especially for coverage of the event.

This marketing tip would be especially useful for newsagents facing competition from other outlets selling newspapers nearby.

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Newsagency

Being better sales people

How much time do we put into training our front line, the people who have the most to do with our customers? Whether these people are newsagency owners or employees, regular training on how to sell is vital – especially since we think that customer service is a kay point of difference for us.

Sale training could be as simple as a regular staff meeting talking about events in the business, seasons and selected products or as complex as structured training delivered by external experts.

We are in a highly competitive environment with all retailers working hard to win in the customer service stakes. The difference we have is that we are more likely to spend effort on actions rather than smoke and mirrors around customer service.

To me, good selling in a newsagency is about:

  • Natural friendliness.
  • Local knowledge.
  • Proactive service – getting out from behind the counter and genuinely helping a customer.
  • Understanding the importance of the customer to the business and reflecting that.
  • Being at work because you want to be there.

This last point is vital. People who front up to work out of grudging necessity can do plenty to harm the business. The same is true with newsagents. We should only be serving customer because it’s what we want to do.

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Customer Service
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