News
Welcome! Join us for client publication news and updates, plus explore our thoughts on publishing, marketing, and customer service, as well as new technologies and ideas to make your next project soar!
Hearst Helping to Set the Expectation of Paid Digital Content
While most of us are not publishing fashion and pop culture, it’s refreshing to hear that print magazines and paid online subscribers still compose a growing market worth pursuing. Hearst’s David Carey comments on how people are still reading magazines in this article and interview on All Things D.
In Carey’s interview, I took away a kernel of truth that I think we all forget…your paid readership will follow you if you provide quality curated content, a strong brand that is known for that quality content, and strategic cross functionality of online devices such as tablets that allow readers to interact with your publication and content in a personalized way.
Most interesting were his comments on the rise of paid subscribers across platforms. “While there is a free Web, and always will be, Carey said tablets are helping create a sustainable paid business.” Carey even says that “Digital subscribers are also renewing at high rates.” He adds, “We are training subscribers to pay for digital content.”
Paid digital subscribers are oftentimes a hurdle for smaller publications, but I am hopeful that the big guys like Hearst will reset the expectation that paid digital content, like a paid print subscription, is valuable.
— Andrea Exter, Cofounder, Monarch Media & Consulting, Inc.
Best Days to Post on Facebook
I admit that I’m on Facebook at some point everyday except Sunday when I try to take a break, but as a business trying to navigate this social media revolution, I often wonder what day and time is best to post.
I was surprised when “The Best and Worst Days to Post on Facebook” by socialmediatoday landed in my inbox. I’ll let you read the article in its entirety, but the gist is that weekends are the key. It goes on to say that Wednesday is the worst day.
In Austin, everyone’s weekend starts around 2 p.m. on Friday, so you’re likely good to go on Facebook, posting between then and midnight on Sunday! What day is your typical “post” day if you don’t post daily?
— Chellie Thompson, Cofounder, Monarch Media & Consulting, Inc.
Association Publications: A Catalyst for Positive Change
Whether print, digital or both–the member benefit of providing invaluable industry information in an accessible, professional publication increases organic change for an organization. Through added member involvement in providing and curating content and current news on relevant topics that impact member’s careers and lives, an association publication creates a robust communications vehicle for the organization as it evolves.
An article in this week’s Associations Now, “The Different Shades of Association Publications,” takes a closer look at two associations that recently launched new publications. While the two organizations chose different formats–one print and one digital, they both aimed to increase member benefits and fulfill the needs of their respective memberships.
The article stated, “Launching a new publication or relaunching an existing title can be reinvigorating for staff and an organization.” I couldn’t agree more. A publication that involves members in editorial, showcases members and their mission as a public relations tool, and elevates the organization to a new level ultimately increases member benefits. Tangible member benefits equal long-term stability for the organization.
And tangible benefits, such as a publication, also create the opportunity for revenue generation to support the organization as a whole. A membership of like-minded individuals has defined buying power in a target market. Use that power to mobilize the goals of the association. It’s a change worth the investment!
— Andrea Exter, Cofounder, Monarch Media & Consulting, Inc.
Website Content Edits On the Horizon?
Are you launching, revamping or just plain redoing your website? When we first formulated the idea on Monarch Media & Consulting, Inc. we knew there were some basic things we needed in place before we ever sought our first client. One was a website. Once we chose our name, we quickly solidified a relating domain and went to work creating content, locating graphics and adding pages to reflect what we wanted visitors to know about us and our company.
Now that we are 16 months old, we have made some slight revisions to our original content to better reflect the services we offer. In 2013 we are embarking on a bigger challenge to really hone in on our content so our web presence is precise, concise and visitor-directed. We’ll enlist the help of some of content marketing experts along the way, but right now we’re reading up on how to make the most of our website real estate. I ran across this article on three key website copyediting practices by Kathleen Fealy on Web Marketing Today that got us thinking about first steps. If your web content needs some work, this article might help you too!
— Chellie Thompson, Cofounder, Monarch Media & Consulting, Inc.
Happy 2013!
Thank you to all of our clients and friends who have supported us this past year. We are looking forward to a fantastic 2013!
• Ballet Austin Guild
• Hotze Runkle
• The Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects
• Kristynik Hardwood Flooring
• Leaf Magazine
• Melton for Texas Campaign
• The Modern Jewish Mitzvah
• The Modern Jewish Wedding
• SoCo Women’s Chorus
• Standard Magazine
• Texas Community College Teachers Association
• Texas Mobile Rehab
…A Few of Our Favorite Things!
Brown paper packages tied up with string (of course!)
Keeping Santa alive in the eyes of our little ones.
Decking the halls. (Thank you, Pinterest, for divine inspiration!)
Gathering with clients, friends and family to celebrate the season.
Taking in the Austin scene all a glow.
Happy Holidays to all our clients, friends, fans and colleagues!
May your holiday be merry and your heart be light! Thank you for making our 2012 so very bright!
Cheering for the SoCo Women’s Chorus
It’s time for year-end giving, and each year we highlight a 501c3 that we have had the privilege of working with over the year to help them further promote their mission. The SoCo Women’s Chorus provides Austin-area women, in all walks of life, a volunteer organization in which to express their creative souls through music; to form musical bonds which will build bridges between members and serve our community. Their goal is to not only perform music of varied genres with the highest integrity and passion, but to elevate women as they share their love for music with the community. Their belief is that music is a great healer.
The SoCo Women’s Chorus recently formed over the last few months and debuted their first annual Winter Concert, a two-night performance at AustinVentures Studio Theater at Ballet Austin, this past weekend. Fifty-five voices strong, the group filled the room with angelic melodies. Audience members were treated to a variety of songs and some well-timed comedy from the group’s fire-cracker director, Ms. Janey Hall. The Chorus was a true pleasure to work with, and we hope you will add them to your holiday gift-giving list as we have.
On a side note, they are looking to grow the group! Auditions for their Spring Concert are Sunday, December 9 (4 – 7 pm) and Saturday, January 5 (10 am – 2 pm). For more information about giving or joining, visit www.socowomenschorus.com. Happy Holidays!
The Modern Jewish Wedding – “Brilliant First Edition”
Thank you to all The Modern Jewish Wedding readers! What a first month! Since the e-magazine launched on Oct. 14, readership continues to climb. With over 12,000 impressions and 520 readers (readers are people who actively engage with your content, spend time in your publication, navigate and perform searches), the publication inspire brides planning a Jewish wedding or a wedding with Jewish touches!
One reader commented, “Brilliant first edition. Mazel Tov on this achievement. Photos are picture perfect and the articles relevant and entertaining. Looking forward to the next one!!”
And we couldn’t be more thrilled for our client and friend, The Modern Jewish Wedding founder and editor, Michele Schwartz. Monarch Media is proud to have partnered with Michele to publish The Modern Jewish Wedding, an e-magazine complementing the popular blog, www.themodernjewishwedding.com. We provided complete custom publishing services including promotion, advertising sales and administration, design, and production.
Published annually, The Modern Jewish Wedding 2012 features five real rave-worthy weddings, representing Orthodox to Interfaith traditions; a Groom’s checklist from The Man Registry’s Chris Easter; a Q&A with dessert designer Amy Atlas; a timeline for planning your Jewish wedding or wedding with Jewish touches; and a special Paris-themed styled shoot: All designed to help guide you on your way to the chuppah!
Check it out now!
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Overused Phrases
PR News Online has been keeping track of some of the most tired and “annoying” sayings and from their recent list, here are some classics. I think we may be guilty of using some of these sometimes–are you?
“Let’s agree to disagree.”
“A place at the table”
“Bang for the buck”
“We’ll address it later.”
“I know, right?”
“You know what I mean?”
“I’m going to bat for you.”
Anything with “literally” or “virtually” in it
“Epic fail”
“Because of uncertain conditions…”
“Out of pocket”
“Quite frankly”
“I couldn’t care less”
Here’s the complete list. What are some tiresome phrases that you could stand to hear a lot less in communications? Some of ours are:
“Game-changer”
“At the end of the day…”
“Think outside the box.”
“This is the bottom line.”
“In a round about way…”
We’d love to hear what phrases you think are overused and annoying–so we can all avoid them of course! Making sure we communicate effectively and pleasantly is a huge part of creating real, lasting relationships with clients, advertisers and readers.
Print & Digital is The Way to Go
Why a Print Magazine with a Digital Offering will Survive
Having been in the advertising sales world for more than a few years now and having worked on a variety of publications – some print only, some print with a digital version and some digital only – it has been interesting to see how potential advertisers view each platform. A recent Adweek article by Lucia Moses on Newsweek’s move to an all-digital platform has spurred lots of conversation. When you take print out of the equation, what are the direct consequences to both advertising dollars and subscribership? Here are my observations (100% my opinion only). I welcome your comments.
Print Magazine Only
Print only versions are great to attract advertising, but have challenges when it comes to marketing. “Can you send me a link to your digital version?” That is a question that I guarantee will be asked. “Well, we’re only in print, but I’m happy to drop a copy in the mail.” Don’t think for a minute that snail mail still isn’t utilized to market a magazine. It may take an extra step in the sales process and a little more time, but it oftentimes accomplishes the same end result – an ad sale. It also puts a copy in their hands.
Digital Magazine Only
This obviously is a cheaper way to produce a magazine since there aren’t any print and postage costs involved. To a potential advertiser this means the ad rate should be significantly less than a printed version. And for all intensive purposes that is an accurate assumption. There should still be a reader-based rate for advertising in a digital version, but not at the same rate as a printed magazine. I’ll admit e-magazines have some logistical barriers on devices such as tablets and iPhones; but, they do perform well on my 17-inch laptop. Still, it doesn’t provide the same ease of reading as an actual printed magazine. (One of the best uses of e-magazines is archiving – taking your publication’s relevant information and allowing it to live indefinitely within a searchable online environment.)
Print Magazine with a Digital Version
This is the best solution hands down. Print magazines have and always will have intrinsic value for one simple reason—it is a product that can be held in your hand. An advertiser knows there are hard costs involved in the production of that magazine beyond someone’s salary. It takes dollars, real dollars, to print and ship a print magazine. It takes work to make sure each image is correctly sized so it looks professional when it comes off the press. It takes coordination to make sure articles are received and edited in a timely manner since you have a set time when your publication will be on press and any delay could cost you money. And you can add value to a print ad in the complimenting online version—a link to their ad so they can then track ROI on the digital version, which may frame up to 20% of the advertiser’s overall picture of how their ad is being received by readers.
Should I Go to an All-digital Platform?
So when asked if a magazine should forgo their print version for a strictly digital version, I will say no. If your subscribers or advertisers are decreasing, then you need to take a hard look at your overall publication. The content may not be what it used to be. The design may need a facelift. Your audience may have changed. So, no I don’t think moving to an all-digital platform will stop the sinking ship from taking on water. Going all-digital may allow you time to reorganize, but I think if you are considering this move then you may need to retire the publication, re-evaluate your audience and re-launch a new title in print with a digital component.
— Chellie Thompson, Cofounder, Monarch Media & Consulting, Inc.