MATT GETS TALKING

I was going to start this piece by talking about how we’ve had to be agile, adapt our service offering and make hard decisions, but that has been the case for any business looking to survive during the pandemic.

Instead I thought I would talk about talking. At the start of January I made a concerted effort to pick up the phone more. It’s very easy to get stuck in a habit of just communicating by email, something I’ve been guilty of at times. I also think it’s important to remember not every conversation has to be over zoom, which seems to have become the default position. No-one really wants to see my lockdown hair, terrible lighting in my house or my kids in the background moaning about the lack of quality teaching (Ofsted have placed my home school under special measures!)

Armed with a shiny pair of apple airpods (thanks Santa), I’ve often walked the streets of Gerrards Cross and started talking to people again. Current clients, ex-clients, potential new clients, colleagues, ex-colleagues, industry friends, suppliers, potential suppliers and it’s been really useful to gauge the temperature of the publishing industry.

In my role on the ACE GC, I’m fortunate to sit in on some of the fantastic modules of the ACE Empower course (highly recommended) and a speaker recently highlighted the importance of not burning any bridges in this industry. That’s very true and I would even take it further to say you should also try and build more bridges and take time to expand your network in this current climate.

So, what have I been talking about? Amongst other key industry trends, I’ve discussed flexible working, prioritising quality of life, experience over possessions, sustainability, the potential comeback of the local high street and just when are we going to be able to go to a football match again. Apart from the consensus that football behind closed doors is losing it’s appeal, there have been a few common themes:

HOW CAN I SAVE MONEY?

Print and paper, the logistics of moving magazines from A-B, fulfilment, getting a magazine to market, all of these areas are increasing in cost so publishers are really drilling down to see where savings can be made by consolidation or looking at better rates available across their business.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Most publishers seem to have done well on subs acquisition during the pandemic, but often on discounted offers, the key will be retaining these. Many publishers are taking a subs first approach to titles.

IS MY MAGAZINE EVERYWHERE IT NEEDS TO BE?

Shopping habits have changed, the on-line grocery shop has of course increased, which traditionally hasn’t been great for magazines. It’s an opportunity for Independents to embrace the magazine sector but also for non-traditional magazine retailers to thrive.

The good news is Global Media Hub can help in many of these areas. We have a wealth of experience across the business and I would be delighted to offer publishers a free health check on any of the following areas, or indeed just have a chat, as I said at the start of this piece, it’s good to talk. I’m on matt@globalmediahub.co.uk or 07834 949692

Print – We have access to a number of printers and print-brokers so we can match a publication with a specific printer to find the best deal on print and paper and let you know about recent innovations.

Logistics – Print site pick up, time sensitive deliveries direct to wholesale, parcel deliveries, mailings and bespoke van networks. Make sure you’re not paying over the odds for these services.

Newsstand Circulation – As a fully Independent company, we can give you objective advice on your current distribution and make recommendations accordingly.

Non-traditional retailer – Through our distribution partners, we have access to retailers not supplied by wholesale where they have a thriving magazine category.

Sampling - We would be delighted to recommend an optimum circulation mix, incorporating targeted placement and brand to hand to achieve your brand goals.

Subscriptions – We can help with both acquisition and fulfilment, through targeted distribution and competitive mailing and fulfilment costs (including a comprehensive hand delivery network).