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04-18-2014, 03:42 PM
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#21
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Guru
City: St. Lucie VILLAGE -NOT- Port St. Lucie!!!!!
Vessel Model: 15' Hobie Power Skiff w/90hp Yamaha-owned 28 years. Also a 2001 Bayliner 3788 that I took in trade
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 525
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I like Vanity Fair. Excellent in-depth well written stories. Great photography, and true worldwide orientations. There's sometimes even some spectacular yachts, contemporary and of yore.
Latitude 38 is a great one geared towards active cruisers oriented towards Pacific coast.
I get Esquire to give to the boys in hopes they will learn to dress better instead of following my example which apparently is based on Larry the Cable Guy.
Online I like that digital magazine mentioned above. For appreciation of the fair sex, one can't beat Playboy Romania on Facebook. Who knew? Well, now you do.
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04-18-2014, 06:23 PM
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#22
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pilothouse king
I like Vanity Fair. Excellent in-depth well written stories. Great photography, and true worldwide orientations. There's sometimes even some spectacular yachts, contemporary and of yore.
Latitude 38 is a great one geared towards active cruisers oriented towards Pacific coast.
I get Esquire to give to the boys in hopes they will learn to dress better instead of following my example which apparently is based on Larry the Cable Guy.
Online I like that digital magazine mentioned above. For appreciation of the fair sex, one can't beat Playboy Romania on Facebook. Who knew? Well, now you do.
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Wifey B: Now you know that made us look and then the links. Ok, if we weren't about to go to dinner......yes, I like hot girls too and hubby definitely likes. Jordan Monroe, Miss October 2006, is his fave.
Ok, going to tell you a mag I like. Psychology Today. And Parenting, even though we don't have kids. And we love reading all cruising books on our Kindles.
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04-18-2014, 06:26 PM
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#23
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Guru
City: Trenton
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,522
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Ocean Navigator was pretty good there for a while. Professional Mariner is also interesting. Power and Motor Yacht is good for the price (free) and has lately come down to earth.
__________________
Al Johnson
34' Marine Trader
"Angelina"
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04-18-2014, 06:35 PM
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#24
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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The PNW and the Chesapeake seem to have a lot of interesting magazines.
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04-18-2014, 09:01 PM
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#25
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Guru
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,329
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In Australia there are the usual glitzy publications, but the stand out mag is the free one called "Afloat" available at all kinds of marine establishments and online. The publisher prints "priceless", in lieu of a price, on the cover page, it is funded by advertising revenue, feels like a community publication, and hopefully turns a well deserved profit for its proprietor.
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
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04-18-2014, 09:20 PM
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#26
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Scraping Paint
City: Full-time onboard
Vessel Model: Trawler
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 929
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceK
The publisher prints "priceless", in lieu of a price, on the cover page, it is funded by advertising revenue, feels like a community publication, and hopefully turns a well deserved profit for its proprietor.
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So tell me this...
When, let's say, a bottom paint manufacturer goes to the publisher and offers a contract for 12 full page ads over the year, what do you think will happen when there is an article written about bottom paint sometime during the year? How balanced do you think the content will be?
It's all the old model of publication and promotion. It failed, not because of the media (paper), but because of the model. The objective of the publication is not to convey the truth. It is to increase the revenue to their advertisers. Quality publications used to have a strong boundary between content and advertising. Those were the days of journalism. That no longer exists and the readers are just pawns in the game they're playing.
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04-19-2014, 07:59 PM
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#27
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Guru
City: Tri Cities, WA
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,406
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AC, I understand what you're saying but here's my list of paper mags....
PassageMaker
PMY
SEA
Boat US
ShowBoat
Cruising World.
Now I don't really care if someone got free dock space for doing a writeup on his favorite marina or place to visit. The pics show what the place looks like and, even though the writer may rave about the food, as long as he gives me info on what the place has available (dock space, gas/diesel, provisions, water, etc.) I don't really care if he liked the food or not.
Yes, I'm on AC with 750+ posts and I like the reviews of places and facilities. I peruse both AC and magazines to find places that look interesting.
BTW, thanks for making AC such a great place.
__________________
Mike and Tina
1981 Boston Whaler 13'
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04-19-2014, 08:05 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
City: Qualicum Beach, British Columbia
Vessel Name: Change of Heart
Vessel Model: Grand Banks 42
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 236
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Pacific Yachting and Classic Yacht whenever I crave a good drooling. Classic Yacht Magazine - devoted to the authentic boating experience
__________________
Everything on your boat is broken...you just don't know about it yet.
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04-23-2014, 06:34 PM
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#29
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Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ActiveCaptain
So tell me this...
When, let's say, a bottom paint manufacturer goes to the publisher and offers a contract for 12 full page ads over the year, what do you think will happen when there is an article written about bottom paint sometime during the year? How balanced do you think the content will be?
It's all the old model of publication and promotion. It failed, not because of the media (paper), but because of the model. The objective of the publication is not to convey the truth. It is to increase the revenue to their advertisers. Quality publications used to have a strong boundary between content and advertising. Those were the days of journalism. That no longer exists and the readers are just pawns in the game they're playing.
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You seem to be painting all magazines with the same broad brush and without any documentation.
What do you have to say about Seaworthy from Boat US Insurance?
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04-23-2014, 08:04 PM
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#30
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwidman
You seem to be painting all magazines with the same broad brush and without any documentation.
What do you have to say about Seaworthy from Boat US Insurance?
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That is a bit unfair to paint them all that way and I believe the method of delivery, paper, versus the ease and lower cost of obtaining information on line was critical to the downfall of many. I also think he was generalizing and not necessarily saying all. But, yes, magazines and websites are subject to a careful balance of content and advertisers.
Separating the content side of your publishing from the advertising side is a constant battle. Why do you see no bad boat reviews in print or online? Just good, better and great. Because all the builders are potential advertisers. Nearly all websites depend on advertising. Nearly all publications. Consumer Reports being the primary example that doesn't.
Even a site that has reviews which are visitor opinions treads carefully. They have to allow legitimate bad reviews but they also have to be aware that competitors sometimes try to hurt a business and be prepared to handle the vicious unsupported comments.
There is absolutely nothing new about the impact of advertisers on publishers. In fact there was a time in which the reaction was probably stronger and more personal. If you want to see a huge conflict, go to a doctor's office and pick up all the free educational brochures. All done by pharmaceuticals.
Seaworthy is a different story. It's someone using a publication to promote themselves. Boat US uses it to promote their entire business and especially their insurance. But there is nothing in my opinion wrong with that. They are an aggressive organization selling a wide range of products and services. But the information in Seaworthy is also very useful.
And magazines can also have excellent content in spite of the fact advertisers are critical to them. As an example, they can write a great article talking about salvage costs and being sure you're adequately covered by your insurance. Then they will attempt to place an Insurance company ad right opposite the article. That doesn't mean the article isn't good or valuable. That's just good ad placement.
Look at product placement on television and in movies. It all started big time with ET. Reeses Pieces. M & M's made the huge mistake of turning that opportunity down. No one had heard of Reeses Pieces before.
The influence of advertisers is here with us, real, has been, will be. As consumers we just have to be wise to avoid the pitfalls of allowing it to unduly influence us. Take reviews of products with a degree of cynicism. But still you can pull useful information. Product characteristics to compare to competition. If I read a boat review on one of the major review sites online, I don't read to find out if they like it or not. I know they will. But I find out features, performance, and other things I might not otherwise know. Plus I pick up on any details that may expose something I don't like. For instance, I read a great review of a Hatteras 100 but it talks about the poor vision from the lower helm. Well, the Hatteras 60 has similar design and I'd worried about that on it. I've read great reviews that mention within the course all the teak and the work involved. Or tight engine rooms. I just know they're not going to say, "this is a bad boat, don't buy it."
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04-23-2014, 09:32 PM
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#31
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Scraping Paint
City: Full-time onboard
Vessel Model: Trawler
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 929
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwidman
You seem to be painting all magazines with the same broad brush and without any documentation.
What do you have to say about Seaworthy from Boat US Insurance?
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If the magazine has traditional advertising in a vertical market like boating, I don't need documentation. It's exactly what happens.
If you find a publication without advertising like Practical Sailor, then you've got something special. I don't believe that model works in a sustainable way today either but at least you're not being sold biased information within the editorial content, unknowningly.
I'm not saying that websites are immune from this too. Sadly, many sell out to gain additional advertising as if that actually works in the market for anyone (it doesn't). But few companies know how to use the internet yet and so they use the old models in the new media. They don't realize that the failure of magazines is the model and not the media. But they can't see that. It's too easy to blame something physical like paper instead of looking at their own practices from within.
The BoatUS magazine (which I haven't seen in about 6 months) takes advertising outside of BoatUS too. But make no doubt about it - that magazine is a marketing piece with the goal of making you happy about being a member and finding other services you can purchase from them. If you really think that BoatUS pays writers for content, publishes a full magazine 12 times a year, prints it, and mails it for free just so you can have more boating information, you're nuts.
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04-24-2014, 06:16 AM
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#32
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Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ActiveCaptain
If the magazine has traditional advertising in a vertical market like boating, I don't need documentation. It's exactly what happens.
If you find a publication without advertising like Practical Sailor, then you've got something special. I don't believe that model works in a sustainable way today either but at least you're not being sold biased information within the editorial content, unknowningly.
I'm not saying that websites are immune from this too. Sadly, many sell out to gain additional advertising as if that actually works in the market for anyone (it doesn't). But few companies know how to use the internet yet and so they use the old models in the new media. They don't realize that the failure of magazines is the model and not the media. But they can't see that. It's too easy to blame something physical like paper instead of looking at their own practices from within.
The BoatUS magazine (which I haven't seen in about 6 months) takes advertising outside of BoatUS too. But make no doubt about it - that magazine is a marketing piece with the goal of making you happy about being a member and finding other services you can purchase from them. If you really think that BoatUS pays writers for content, publishes a full magazine 12 times a year, prints it, and mails it for free just so you can have more boating information, you're nuts.
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Well, you could have tried to answer the question without the insult.
Actually, you didn't answer the question. I have a copy of Seaworthy in front of me. No advertising whatsoever. None. Nada.
There are several good articles including one on why boats sink, one on the problems with lithium ion batteries (no, they are not trying to sell another type of battery), an article on seacocks and their problems, and an article on common electrical safety issues.
I happen to enjoy reading magazines including boating magazines and I think I am smart enough to know when I am being sold a product or service or just reading something factual. Passage Maker and Seaworthy have some well respected experts writing technical articles. Unlike anonymous web forum members who have no credentials and nothing to loose, these people are in the business and stake their reputations on what they write.
On the subject of websites, I can't help but notice that when I look up a marina on yours, I often get a suggestion to try a nearby Active Captain sponsor instead. Apparently your website is not immune to the "business model" you are placing on magazines.
Remember, you have a business and you are posting under your business name. Insulting people is not a good business model.
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04-24-2014, 07:03 AM
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#33
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Guru
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwidman
Well, you could have tried to answer the question without the insult.
Remember, you have a business and you are posting under your business name. Insulting people is not a good business model.
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Being called "nuts" is an insult!? Funny, I always seem to take it as a challenge followed by me saying, "oh yeah, well here, hold my beer"
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04-24-2014, 07:09 AM
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#34
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,147
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt.Bill11
Being called "nuts" is an insult!? Funny, I always seem to take it as a challenge followed by me saying, "oh yeah, well here, hold my beer"
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04-24-2014, 07:58 AM
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#35
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Senior Member
City: Qualicum Beach, British Columbia
Vessel Name: Change of Heart
Vessel Model: Grand Banks 42
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 236
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I wonder if maybe some here might just possibly be looking at this all a little too seriously.
Personally...I just want something to read while on the toilet.
__________________
Everything on your boat is broken...you just don't know about it yet.
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04-24-2014, 08:01 AM
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#36
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boydster
I wonder if maybe some here might just possibly be looking at this all a little too seriously.
Personally...I just want something to read while on the toilet.
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And don't forget, to line the bird cages...lol
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04-24-2014, 08:30 AM
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#37
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Scraping Paint
City: Full-time onboard
Vessel Model: Trawler
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 929
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwidman
Well, you could have tried to answer the question without the insult.
...
Remember, you have a business and you are posting under your business name. Insulting people is not a good business model.
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I'm sorry if you felt my response was an insult. It wasn't. I'm not even sure what was insulting about it - the disagreement with something you wrote? The statement where I think someone is nuts to think Seaworthy isn't a marketing piece?
If you or anyone else doesn't want to use ActiveCaptain because I "call 'em as I see 'em," then don't use ActiveCaptain. Please, don't. ActiveCaptain isn't about me, my wife, or either of my dogs. It's about the hundreds of thousands of people who contribute their knowledge to it.
The reason I use "ActiveCaptain" here as my name is because I'll get in trouble with forum owners who think everything "Jeff Siegel" writes is something hidden to promote ActiveCaptain (something else that's nuts). So I make it incredibly clear exactly who I am. In most ways, I can't win and will ultimately piss off someone. So be it. I'd rather write what I think. It's exactly this reason why you never see other marine electronics companies, developers, and other boating business executives on places like this - they're often treated like crap so they've learned to stay away.
Regarding Seaworthy, I didn't realize it was the BoatUS newsletter. I thought it was their magazine. I did say that I hadn't seen it in 6 months and I meant the magazine. I don't think I've ever seen Seaworthy - didn't even know it existed - and it does seem like a well done newsletter giving tips and help to BoatUS members. It seems obvious to me that the newsletter is a way for them to pass on information that could lessen the possibility of an insurance claim. And there's nothing wrong with that - I think it's an excellent idea. I'd venture a guess that 75% of boaters who are cruising in their boats have not heard about Seaworthy.
For what it's worth, I've been in contact and in conversations with BoatUS for years about alliances for more than just saying how we each like each other (an odd thing that many businesses do). A recent meeting with the president and a VP resulted in them issuing a press release about ActiveCaptain in February. I'd really like them to challenge us to come up with ways to bring them into the internet age because I think they're missing a lot right now. Seaworthy is just one example.
So I happened to open up the online BoatUS magazine. The current issue is 102 pages. 55 of those pages (53%) contains obvious advertising. I had to laugh that there was at least one full page ad for a bottom paint...and then an article about bottom paint, exactly like my out-of-thin-air example I gave previously. In flipping through it quickly it was also interesting to see a full page ad for inReach and then editorial about it later on. And I'm not saying inReach is a bad product - I have one and use it all the time (I am working with DeLorme on a project with it). In total, what I am saying is that while only 47% of the pages contain no blatant advertising, many of them contain hidden advertising and thinking that you can really tell the difference is, well, nuts.
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04-24-2014, 08:34 AM
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#38
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Scraping Paint
City: Full-time onboard
Vessel Model: Trawler
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 929
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boydster
Personally...I just want something to read while on the toilet.
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I wonder if you've ever used Flipboard. Here's an app that was won app-of-the-year awards from multiple organizations over the last few years (including from Apple). It combines and presents "magazine" type of information in a fantastic 2014 kind of way.
...even on the toilet.
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04-24-2014, 02:34 PM
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#39
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Guru
City: LI or Fla
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,148
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Really liked Passagemaker when Bill P (original owner) ran the magazine, now it’s lost its focus when he sold it off to AIM.
Cruising World, again certain editors are better then others, like dreaming about far away locations that they write about.
Yachting, they have some really good writers (George Sass Sr etc), also like the layout and photography.
Soundings and PMY as I get them for free. I commute a distance on the train, so I enjoy reading magazines as apposed to books which I like on the back of the boat.
Yes its obvious they are slanted to advertisers, but that would be true even if you ran the magazine Active Captain.
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04-24-2014, 02:59 PM
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#40
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Scraping Paint
City: Full-time onboard
Vessel Model: Trawler
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 929
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marlinmike
Yes its obvious they are slanted to advertisers, but that would be true even if you ran the magazine Active Captain.
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I'd bet it wouldn't.
The problem with magazines is that they miss the most basic of marketing decisions - knowing who their customer is. For magazines who charge readers to purchase the magazine and charge advertisers, that question is very, very muddy (the exact same issue faced by guidebook publishers). For magazines that have free subscriptions, they try to act like their customer is the reader but at every moment possible, they show that their customer is really the advertiser. They don't have the stomach to handle a business model where their real customer pays them no money. And that's what we do every day of the week. Magazines don't get that.
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