New Subscription Freebies

[Jim KParticipant @jimk]

I know that the various mags have to attract new subscribers no and then and offering a freebie is a good way of doing it.

But what about the subscribers that have been supportive over the years they get nothing. Now that there is this website it is a good vehicle for supporting the long term customers.

I see it askes for the subscription Number in your profile when you register so i presume the site recognises this and it could make a certain section open for subscribers only to download freebies this might also keep subscribers active if they know they are treated special.

Jim

[Jim KParticipant @jimk]

Free items for new subscriptions

[Paul BoscottParticipant @paulboscott25817]

Jim

 >>

I support this idea it could also be a good way of helping M.E to retain subscribers

 >>

Paul

[Ian AbbottParticipant @ianabbott31222]

On the other hand, none subscribers pay more for the magazine and keep small newsagents in business.

Plus, readers who move frequently, where subscription isn’t practical, can never get the perks of the “Subscribe  Now” pitch.  I think that enclosures in the magazine are a far better deal.

And,  ”Watercraft” magazine have joined the band wagon, with drawings and offsets for a Paul Gartside 16′ cruiser in the magazine. 

Ian 

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

Management have said that a small proportion of content will be locked for subscribers only. This is being worked on at the moment but is likely to go live soon. I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing. I also need to decide what content to lock up.

 

I have suggested we put a PDF of back issues of MEW onto the locked portion for subscribers only starting with issue 1 and adding another issue each fortnight.

 

We can legally do this as long as the magazine is published in its entirety including adverts and with no changes.

 

That would satisfy MEW subscribers but what would Model Engineer subscribers like to see?

 

regards david

 

 

[Jim KParticipant @jimk]

David

You have raised something here, It would be nice in the Model Engineer to see something like issue 1 available for who you chose that will have access to the locked section. There is a lot of interesting bits in these old issues and i doubt if many model engineers have access never mind seen these old issues.

If you dont have these i am sure there are willing viewers out there that could furnish you with them for scanning. I certainly can help with some of them but i never have seen the first issue.

Jim

 

[keithmartParticipant @keithmart]

HI

 

some of the old adverts are very interesting.

 

It is also a good way to see how prices have gone up over the years!

 

There is always something interesting in each and every magazine, and engineering principles don’t change.

 

Keith

 

Leeds UK

 

 

Edited By keithmart on 28/06/2009 21:33:43

[RobboParticipant @robbo]

I have just received an e-mail adressing me as an “ex-subscriber” to MEW, and inviting me to take out a subscription (with free gift).  As I subscribe by Direct Debit there is no logic in this, it is irksome and worrying (has my subscription stopped for some reason?).  
  I don’t agree with Locked areas for subscribers only, unless non-subscribers are allowed a couple of visits to see what they’re missing.  I’m not sure about it then anyway, it’s the old  “clique” thing again.

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

I bought some old ME magazines at Doncaster market, dating from 1960/61.

Very interesting, with adverts for cigarettes, hacksaw blades and articles for quite a lot of ship models.

 

Regards

Geoff

[LADmachiningParticipant @ladmachining]

As a subscriber to both ME and MEW, I like the sound of the MEW and ME back issues being made available in PDF form.

 

I too like reading through the old issues of ME, and have some of the older issues myself.

 

My own personal opinion is the more issues I have in PDF or other ‘electronic’ format the better, as they take up much less storage room.  I appreciate that others prefer to have the actual magazine to read.

 

Maybe the  ME issues that are provided for subscribers could be the same cover date as the current issue, but 20, 40 or 60 years previous (e.g 29/06/1969…).  As others have mentioned, it is interesting to compare the adverts then and now, and see how much prices have changed in real terms.

[TibaneParticipant @tibane]

David, I think your idea is excellent. Maybe you could also put all the pdf issues of MEW on a DVD and sell it. ME would probably require a whole library of DVD’s.  (maybe you could start with issues 43 to 90 I am only missing those).

Another idea for non-subscribers would be to put an abstract on the site with subscribers getting acess to the whole issue.

 

Fine Woodworking have just done this with their first 200 issues and it works a treat.

[WALLACEParticipant @wallace]

Hello All.

 

Just joined up – and thought I’d add my two-penneth worth. .  .

 

I agree with Jim – it’s slightly gauling to have been a ‘loyal’ subscriber since about issue 32 and not be offered any tempting goodies. I suppose I could just cancel and then re-subscribe, but it seems a bit of a cheat !

 

How about a special offer / price reduction (!)  after you’ve subscribed to ‘ x ‘  many 

magazines ?? 

 

 

WALLACE  

[WALLACEParticipant @wallace]

 

 

Opps – sorry – submitted it twice and can’t see how to kill of the extra one . .

 

W.

Edited By WALLACE on 08/07/2009 13:52:36

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I,d like to see the remaining parts for How to make a small Gas-Engine,I have the first parts in volume 1(1898),I’v started to build the little motor,it has a stroke of 3 3/4″ and bore of 2″,the fly wheel I made for mine is 14″ dia,made of a sandwitch of 3 10mm thick discs,the outside ones with 10″dia cut out to form rings and the center one cut to form 6 spokes.The original engine with hot tube ignition developed 1/6 hp,but i’v redesigned it for spark,and petrol,although I may try LPG.I’v got the facsimile edition of volume one,and its all interesting,ads and all.Ian.S.C

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi Ian

Why don’t you write it up for Model Engineer?

regards David

 

[Hilton MillarParticipant @hiltonmillar81014]

 

Hi David

You fellows in the civilised world have got it good. Where I live we dare not subscribe as the chances are that I will never see my mags. The local news agent gets MEW about six weeks after publishing and we pay nearly 2-3 time the recommended retail price depending on the exchange rate. Never mind that what a magazine for a wannabe muddle maker (read idiot newbie). Thanks MEW I love it at any price.

 

Hilton

South Africa

[malcolm RixonParticipant @malcolmrixon61746]

As a non subscriber I would find the idea of being able to obtain access to back issues either by CD or a locked area would be enough to entice me into subsribing. 

As a reader from the rest of the world I actually find it cheaper to buy from the news stand ( Currently MEW $12.70) with an exchange rate of almost 2 to 1.  I am wondering if you were to combine MEW and ME into the one post pack to reduce freight might help with the subscriptions.

[Jim KParticipant @jimk]

 There are a number of Mag’s that now publish the Mag. online, you download a reader onto your computer and they send the subscription on a monthly basis.

 

It is a good idea and it is of very good quality for both the picture quality and the readability aspect.

I think this sort of thing would be very good for overseas readers as it would cost them less and it would get them their monthly copy quickly.

I think the only downside might be the copying and printing of certain pages that you might want to copy or print for use in the workshop.

And I believe that their has to be some sort of protection for the publisher otherwise sales would drop and copies of the Mag. would be flooding the net with few subscribers.

There might also be some merit in a subscription annual system where you have access to a archive and the capability of downloading back copies lets say 1 or 2 years prior this is limited to so many copies depending on your annual subscription. i.e. you could pay a subscription annually that allows a download of 12 copies per year or multiples depending on the archive subscription you choose.
This would allow me to clear out my loft my wardrobes and cupboards and save a marriage.

What about for long term subscribers giving them access to download these best of editions now and again or wall charts that sort of thing?
Or what about your onsite partners getting involved by providing a code number to use when ordering tools etc. that entitles the long term subscription reader to inviting discounts.

Back to you Dave.

Jim

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

David Clark 1,hi I’ll leave writting until I get the thing running,its been on hold a while,I must get some cast iron for a piston,the origional had hemp packing in the ring grooves,I might try that.At the moment I have an alloy piston part made,but I don’t know what alloy,so I don’t know how it will ware or if it will”pick up” on the steel bore.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I think the mag should stay in its paper form,if its in electronic copy,in a year or so that form will be out of date,where as book form never will,it could be handy on both.

[Will BleekerParticipant @willbleeker81435]

I tried to subscribe online to MEW and being overseas in Australia there was a problem of some sort with data matching of my address and post code and consequently I still buy the magazine at the local news agent.Our postcode covers an area of around 250 square kilometres with numerous small towns in it, a bit different to the English system! Where you can pretty well get right to some ones door with a postcode.

Will 

[Terry ShieldsParticipant @terryshields10390]

Terry Shields. I began suscribing about five issues ago, but I was’nt offered any freenbies. Have I missed out

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Hi terry,you and I both,but perhaps I’m too far away in Kiwi land,tho my sub’s about nz£220 pa.,not complaining tho.IAN S C

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