[NSRCA-discussion] Electronic versus Paper K-Factor Poll

Sat Jan 24 19:27:07 AKST 2009

Ok, so just to clarify... the paper copy won't go away.  It'll be an option
just like the electronic version.  So if you want the paper copy just like
you get now then you'll continue to get it (and have the ability to download
the electronic one if needed too).  The biggest difference is going to be in
how the dues structure will be - obviously if a paper copy is wanted then
your dues will be more than the electronic version will be.  Just how much
more is unknown at this time as it really is dependent on the number of
paper copies we print.  Another big difference is that the electronic
version will be in all color (at least I hope it will be) versus the paper
one which will continue to have 8 color pages.

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From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Paul Brine
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 8:01 PM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Electronic versus Paper K-Factor Poll

The problem with print versions is that, in my experience, the most of the
money is in the setup costs.  There isn't alot of change in production cost
with the change in numbers.  I think I have mentioned here before about a
small print run publication we did for work.  Doubling the numbers only
changed the total cost by about $200.  That was a cost increase of about 5%
on the whole job.  If you want significant cost saving you will have to go
all online.

My preference is for a print copy.  I don't read the K-factor on-line.  It's
too hard follow and too much scrolling to read on the screen.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Mark  <mailto:atwoodm at paragon-inc.com> Atwood 
To: General pattern discussion <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>  ;
Troy  <mailto:troy at troynewman.net> Newman ; Derek Koopowitz
<mailto:derekkoopowitz at gmail.com>  
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 10:18 PM
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Electronic versus Paper K-Factor Poll

While I don’t dispute anything of what Troy had to say, I for one do enjoy
the paper magazine version, and I would be willing to pay a premium in
addition to my dues to get it.  I realize that enough people would also have
to sign up for the printed version to even keep the costs the same, but I
would HATE for us to no longer have a printed version to distribute or to
keep for posterity.  

Just my .02.  

-Mark

On 1/24/09 9:35 PM, "Troy Newman" <troy at troynewman.net> wrote:

Hey guys,

This is a little long. Please read it’s important to the NSRCA.

I would like to say something regarding the printed KF vs. a online only KF
Today the KF is costing the organization a ton of money every month. I spoke
to Derek about this at the AMA show a few weeks ago. Today the KF is running
us about $2100 a month for just round numbers. Most folks don’t know this
or understand the huge cost involved every month. We are funding it from
dues and NATS money when advertising comes up short. John Konneker is
struggling to sell advertising and doing a great job….but we already owe
our check to the company store.

We are bringing in advertising money that is short of that number, Let’s
call it 1700 or 1800 a month typical for the last few years. Now I know John
K has been working very hard to increase advertising money. The problem is
even its breaking even…..is it really worth it to you to have it in your
mail box? AT $2100 a month to the group?

Look at it this way. Re-structure the KF to a new layout. An online
magazine. The advertisers are not going to like the idea at first…but here
is the what I think would work.

#1 tell all the advertisers. Today is a new day.  We are going to give you
free ads for 2 months at your current ad level. And we are going online
only.

#2 make all KF downloads free to the public. Absolutely free in every
respect. But put a counter on the downloads. Get the modeling public looking
at what we have to offer.

#3 at the end of 2 months….take the counter numbers to the advertisers and
say look…we were producing 800 copies a month. Now it’s downloaded
2000copies a month. You just doubled your exposure.

#4 Oh by the way Mr. Advertiser, we understand the economy is tough on you
too. Let’s do this. We want you to stay with us advertising and since it’s
a web only magazine, we are going to cut your ad rates in ∏. You get the
same number of pages for the ∏ the money…..would you like to double your
ad space for the same $$ you were paying? This makes the online only
magazine larger…more prestige, more info for the public to see and like.
Today we are limited on content…we can only afford so many pages. Online
there is no limit essentially. At least not the budgetary limit we currently
have.

Now let’s look at what this will do. John Konneker is selling $2000 a month
in ads for just round numbers. It’s close to this from the info I have been
told. 
$2000 a month is $24,000 a year. We are using that to pay the US mail, and
printer company. That’s 24K a year guys!

Now let’s go to online and ∏ the rates….more circulation as its free to
all that want to get it.  We get to take $12,000 a year and put in our
pockets to support and grow pattern.  What can you do to grow pattern if you
have money in the bank? Can we give more to the USA Team. Can we hold
invitational contests like the Tucson shootout and give cash prizes  in all
classes or buy products to give away to pilots. Could we completely fund the
NATS banquet?

The advertiser people want more exposure…so we give it away for free after
all the more that download it the better it is to sell ads right?   Then we
get new members by showing them we are friendly and open folks that want
them to come play with us. We get them to join our organization because we
support pattern not because we make a magazine.  Telling them to join to get
the news letter is like saying we have a club but you gotta pay to play.
They will be helping to pay by downloading it. Oh and download often they
will.  People want this information…..when they like what they see they
will join the organization. If you hold it as a sacred cow then they don’t
want to play in that environment. Elitism: remember the stereo type we all
know it’s not true or is it….You have to pay to play: is this elite? Just
a question there not slamming the argument…just pointing out what we have
been doing in the past. I think it’s time for a change.

Oh and by the way back to John Konnecker’s job on those months when
advertising is low meaning not breaking even on the printing costs we
currently have…Guess what we are using MEMBERS DUES and NATS funds to pay
the printer company and the US mail.  On the new system low month for ads is
just that, a low month and it’s still profit mostly profit…Today we go in
the hole on the KF and make up the difference. Would it be neat to say well
we only made $5K in advertising last year but we put 4K of that in our
pockets.  Instead it we brought in 24K in ads, and spent all of it plus
another 2-3-4K out of the NSRCA treasury to pay for a printed KF.

This new idea allows us to have money to advertise ourselves hold events and
promote pattern and get new members. The idea of paying to get the KF is not
attracting new members….the members we have are footing the bill to pay the
printer on those months that the KF advertising comes up short.

This is common sense guys…run this like a business and it can grow and
expand. Live pay check to pay check like we are….. and we are always
struggling to stay afloat.

Is the KF in its current form worth $2100 a month to you? Yes a small setup
fee would need to be charged to layout the Online version…so Online doesn’
t mean free setup…just free printing and distribution.

Look Al Gore invented the internet…lets think like business people and use
it to spread the word. The US mail is not going to go belly up, the price of
stamps will just increase and so will our costs to print and mail each and
every member a copy.

Please keep this information in mind when you vote in the poll

My two cents on the subject. 

Troy Newman

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