Subscriptions – Going Forward

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I suppose it depends on the publishers whether they want to push things like “the Modeling Hub” at least with all three wheels the same things should roll along better.

The other threads on the Future of the mag all seem to suggest that the association of the public with Model is not ideal at attracting new readers so maybe it should be played down. And as MEW was the better seller of the two titles again another reason to push the “Workshop” more than Model. They also suggest that traditional “Model Engineering” is fading out and a new types of home workshop activity are taking its place so why not aim at that.

Maybe I should have used something different in the title as going back to Model Engineer and it’s old font is hardly going forward to attract new blood.

Also seems confusion over what the new header is as the hub is different and at least they have attempted to keep it a bit closer to the other titles.

Quick thought, wants a bolder font to match the other two titles but pulls in the & of RCM&E as well as the smaller Model of Model Boats

Though personally, I would drop Model in place of Home or Hobby

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

Got to agree with Jason now would be a good time to drop “model” Andy replace it with Home or Hobby, perhaps at a stretch Hobby engineer, maker and workshop.

[Bill PhinnParticipant @billphinn90025]

Even though I’m not a model engineer, I can see a huge amount of appeal, as well as merit, in the hobby.

I think it would be a shame if the hobby’s long pedigree (and the magazine’s) is partly eroded by a name change that leaves out the word “model” in the new publication’s title.

 

 

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

Perhaps ‘Machining and Metal Work for Makers’ that might fit in with the apparent current trends.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Flipping things around:

‘The Amateur Workshop: for Models and More’

?

MichaelG.

.

Edit: __ for the avoidance of doubt:

Amateurs do it for love

Professionals do it for money

 

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

You’re debating the number of angels dancing on a pinhead.

Model Engineer (in its various guises) is one of the longest continuously published special interest magazines in the world. If it was a building not a magazine it would be listed Grade 1.

 

Keeping existing subscribers is the first priority. As ‘Model Engineer’ is prominent in both existing titles losing it is as likely to alienate existing readers who are obviously comfortable with the term (even if some would advocate change). There are already those who have expressed suspicion of the change on the grounds of the title.

Continuity is important here, for multiple reasons.

[Neil Wyatt]

On Neil Wyatt Said:

You’re debating the number of angels dancing on a pinhead. […]

Is that specifically directed at me, Neil … or to the recent conversation in general ?

I don’t much care either way, but I would like to know.

MichaelG.

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

Could you take Jasons idea and go a little further:

The spacing is a little rubbish, but iIdont do pretty graphics. 🙂

Colin

 

[Neil Wyatt]

On Neil Wyatt Said:

[…] Model Engineer (in its various guises) is one of the longest continuously published special interest magazines in the world. If it was a building not a magazine it would be listed Grade 1.

[…]

Continuity is important here, for multiple reasons.

Then just call it Model Engineer … and let it live or die depending on how the content is received.

MichaelG.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

It’s Model Engineer ! MEW was an attempt to get 2 bites of the same cherry, it’s time to put Jack back in his box and revert to the original title. The experiment has failed and left both titles the worse for it. Add & Workshop if you must and some other in small print.. Since MEW seemed to revolve around machine tools and machining why not Model Engineer & Machinist ? Continuity is vital ! Noel.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

At the St Albans club meeting tonight I mentioned the impending change. Nobody was aware of it, not even the member who occasionally writes for ME!

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Model Engineer (in its various guises) is one of the longest continuously published special interest magazines in the world. If it was a building not a magazine it would be listed Grade 1.

Keeping existing subscribers is the first priority.

 

The problem is the mag currently has Model Engineer on the cover and it has been loosing subscribers which is what has brought the change about. The mag with Workshop on it is doing better so logic would seem to suggest that is what should be the main thrust. Why continue with what was no longer working? People now associate the title with a mag filled with Locos and little else and if that is not what they are into then you are unlikely to attract them with the same title.

How many listed buildings are there that are deralict and in decline all because those that want to hang onto the past won’t allow sufficient scope for alteration so that they can live on in a form that suits their use in todays world.

I think the proportion of sales is about 1/3rd ME and 2/3rds MEW again logic would be that if you want to keep subscribers then the content needs to be split about the same so why not the title? The existing ME subscriber is likely to find less ME content in one mag per month at £4.17 than they did in a single ME for £2.60. That is going to see some give up their subscription so why not think ahead to those that will be left and those who will replace them.

It would be interesting to know that of those offered Railway mag instead of ME how many contact Mortons will ask for a refund and how many will ask for the balance to be put towards more issue sof the new title.

[Ches Green UKParticipant @chesgreenuk]

How the World sees ‘Model Engineering’ via Wikipedia, which uses international contributors….

“Model engineering – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_engineering

Model engineering is the pursuit of constructing proportionally-scaled miniature working representations of full-sized machines. It is a branch of metalworking with a strong emphasis on artisanry, as opposed to mass production. While now mainly a hobby, in the past it also had commercial and industrial purpose. The term ‘model engineering’ was in use by 1888.[1] In the United States, the term ‘home shop machinist’ is often used instead, although arguably the scope of this term is broader.

Model engineering is most popular in the industrialised countries that have an engineering heritage extending back to the days of steam power. That is, it is a pursuit principally found in the UK, USA, northwestern European countries and the industrialised British Commonwealth countries.”

The rest of the Wiki article focuses mainly on steam engines and machine tools.

Although I think the use of ‘Model Engineer’ in the title of the new magazine would keep up traditions, I feel that there may be some need to move with the times regarding both the title and content.

However I find it difficult to pin down what those should be.

This may be because the home engineering hobby now covers a much wider range of activities than it did 50 yrs ago, and a lot of them undertaken inside a warm building.

Ches

[JasonB]

On JasonB Said:

Model Engineer (in its various guises) is one of the longest continuously published special interest magazines in the world. If it was a building not a magazine it would be listed Grade 1.

Keeping existing subscribers is the first priority.

 

The problem is the mag currently has Model Engineer on the cover and it has been loosing subscribers which is what has brought the change about. The mag with Workshop on it is doing better so logic would seem to suggest that is what should be the main thrust. Why continue with what was no longer working? People now associate the title with a mag filled with Locos and little else and if that is not what they are into then you are unlikely to attract them with the same title.

 

How many listed buildings are there that are deralict and in decline all because those that want to hang onto the past won’t allow sufficient scope for alteration so that they can live on in a form that suits their use in todays world.

 

I think the proportion of sales is about 1/3rd ME and 2/3rds MEW again logic would be that if you want to keep subscribers then the content needs to be split about the same so why not the title? The existing ME subscriber is likely to find less ME content in one mag per month at £4.17 than they did in a single ME for £2.60. That is going to see some give up their subscription so why not think ahead to those that will be left and those who will replace them.

 

It would be interesting to know that of those offered Railway mag instead of ME how many contact Mortons will ask for a refund and how many will ask for the balance to be put towards more issue sof the new title.

There is a lot of common sense in what Jason says about the future of the magazine. I dont really mind what the title is, its the content that matters.

I think the ‘model’ bit could be played down a little and more emphasis given to ‘maker’, certainly I would not introduce ‘metal’ as that is only just one of many material.

Ian P

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

There’s NO going forward YET ! Issue 4760 is still offering subscriptions to old ME. Nor is there any mention of what is going on from the editor or Mortons. WHAT IS GOING ON ? Noel.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

They went to print before things were decided on. I’ve said it before as the cat was let out the bag early Neil had to post here and that is why the mag content is behind.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

So the plan was to wait till the last edition ( 4761 ) of ME to tell us all that MEW was dead and ME was to be a different animal ?

In this day of instant action does the term STOP PRESS not have any meaning any more.

Now I know Mortons are treating us all with contempt !

As a subscriber since the 1980s and just renewed I feel badly let down ! Noel.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, if you click on the subscribe button under the latest issues, the only option to subscribe too is the new title.

Regards Nick.

[Nicholas Farr]

On Nicholas Farr Said:

Hi, if you click on the subscribe button under the latest issues, the only option to subscribe too is the new title.

Regards Nick.

… which, it would appear, has already been named and its masthead fonts determined.

Mmmm

MichaelG.

[Nicholas Farr]

On Nicholas Farr Said:

Hi, if you click on the subscribe button under the latest issues, the only option to subscribe too is the new title.

Regards Nick.

Actually if the orange button that says ME&W is clicked it takes you to MEW not the new mag.

You can also still take out a sub to ME on Pocketmags so looks like nobody has told them yet.

[JasonB]

On JasonB Said:

On Nicholas Farr Said:

Hi, if you click on the subscribe button under the latest issues, the only option to subscribe too is the new title.

Regards Nick.

Actually if the orange button that says ME&W is clicked it takes you to MEW not the new mag.

[…]

Would you mind checking that, please Jason

Not the behaviour I am seeing

MichaelG.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I only see the availability of pre-ordering the next issue of MEW, and back issues.

Regards Nick.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Here you go Michael, clicking on the subscribe buttom under latest issues

Also as I have posted previously there are two different mastheads depending where you click so who knows if anything ha sbeen decided try this one

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I will wait for the dust to settle !!

There used to be a silly cartoon in ME

”Chuck … the Muddle Engineer”

.

It seems that Chuck is reincarnate !

MichaelG.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, all I can find is this, whichever subscribe button I press.

Regards Nick.

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