What's up with PS? part two

SteveB makes some great points.

But print media depends upon subscribers as its lifeblood, and it needs 'new' subscribers to replace those who retire from the sport. PS has thus far been invisible to me, a beginner. I have not seen any marketing on the websites that I frequent, and PS's inablilty to process subscriptions online is a massive barrier to the young who prefer to do nearly everything online. As for requiring comments to be submitted by mail, that's a dead concept and a dead medium.

I realize that dealing with your older customer base works just fine without electronic communication, but failure to reach a younger customer base forces you into a death spiral.
 
Rock,

I understand your point, and I'm talking with Dave on a few of these issues, but it may take some time for any changes like that to take place.

I know snail-mail is a pain in the rear, but at this time it's the best path to order a subscription (you can print out the orderform on-line).

s.
 
steve b. said:
Rock,

I understand your point, and I'm talking with Dave on a few of these issues, but it may take some time for any changes like that to take place.

I know snail-mail is a pain in the rear, but at this time it's the best path to order a subscription (you can print out the orderform on-line).

s.
Click to expand...

That is very logical.

However I don't buy stamps nor envelopes nor checks anymore. All bills are paid online here. I do understand that change takes time and is never easy.
 
PS magazine

P S magazine does do alot of articles on different things other than strictly short range benchrest. But look at the page count and the advertisers base compared to 15 years ago. Advertisers pay the bills. I have only shot a few informal rimfire sporter matches. Last year was my first one. I have been reading P S for about 20 years. I agree the content has included a lot of other items other than strictly shortrange centerfire. But I think it is better now. Max
 
I'm not saying I could write better articles or that the mag is not "group br" oriented enough. There are many facets of precision in many sports.

What I am saying is that I could come up with better cover photos (at least more appropriate ones) and better OS patches. Simple fixes. What's so hard to swallow here?
 
PS and Other Shooting Media...

I know Wilbur does not like post that exhibit negative opinions about his web sites advertisers, so I will make this generic and cover them all not just PS.

I subscribed for more than 20 years to PS and to many other Shooting Journals. I let my PS subscription and many others lapse.

I was going to run a year long ad in PS. When I called and talked to Dave Brennan, he was so abrasive and unprofessional, I decided to advertise elsewhere. I regret having given PS the money for another years subscription, that ran out last September 2007. I was so moved that I gave away my collection of over 20+ years of PS magazines.

Looking at the Big Picture

If you look back over the last 50 years the outdoor and shooting magazines have shifted. The once shooting oriented Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, Rifle Magazine, Handloader Magazine, Shooting Times, Guns, Guns and Ammo, Precision Rifle, and Accurate Rifle magazines are now gone or filled with advertisments and less technical and quality shooting related reading. A few years ago Field and Stream took a course following the bunny lovers and tree huggers, changing their format to Mountain Biking, camping, and Kyaking. It lasted about two of three issues and their subscriber base dropped by 80 percent. They corrected the error of their ways and have improved their magazine significantly. Their first swing may correlate to the decline in number of shooters today. This is further demonstrated on the decline of sporting goods stores that sell guns and reloading equipment.

In my opinion the internet has replaced the once strong paper media. With an instantanious and interactive way to share ones love and knowledge of shooting. Benchrest Central, 6mmBR, Accurate Reloading, Snipers Hide, LongRangedotcom, and many others have come to replace the once loved printed media.

It is sad that so many shooters have lost their love for the printed media, it is a loose loose situation. I directly or indirectly know many of the PS Board Members, Shooting Columnist and Advertisers. It would be very interesting to me and others what the current number of subscribers are of PS magazine. What was the number of subscribers 10, 20, and 30 years ago. It would also be interesting to read the minutes of the annual board meeting to see if they discuss any issues related to subscriber numbers, subscriber issues, advertiser numbers, advertiser issues, magazine content, and magazine marketing and management issues. I have not researched but would assume PS magazine is a privately held corporation. There has been a lot of negative discussion on this board and others over the years. I would welcome some inside input frome those who know the inter-workings of PS magazine and participate on this forum.

I personally wish PS magazine could get it turned arround and make it a win win situation.

Nat Lambeth
 
When Dave Brennan took over at P.S. the mag was in the toilet. He built the mag up from nothing. He had a profound effect on the sport because he had an interest in all facets of the sport. The Man worked tirelessly for the betterment of the sport.

I think what has happened is he has been beating his head against a stone wall for years and is just tired of it. I think it reflects in the pages of the mag.

If you could find another Dave with the passion he had when he took over, you would see exactly what you want in the magazine. The trick is, where will you find another younger version of Dave? It is sad what has become of a once great magazine and yes this has been the history of publications throughout America history. This rise and fall. When all that was needed was an infusion of younger blood.
 
One of the other comments Dave made - -

Rustystud said:
I know Wilbur does not like post that exhibit negative opinions about his web sites advertisers, so I will make this generic and cover them all not just PS.

I subscribed for more than 20 years to PS and to many other Shooting Journals. I let my PS subscription and many others lapse.

I was going to run a year long ad in PS. When I called and talked to Dave Brennan, he was so abrasive and unprofessional, I decided to advertise elsewhere. I regret having given PS the money for another years subscription, that ran out last September 2007. I was so moved that I gave away my collection of over 20+ years of PS magazines.

Looking at the Big Picture

If you look back over the last 50 years the outdoor and shooting magazines have shifted. The once shooting oriented Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, Rifle Magazine, Handloader Magazine, Shooting Times, Guns, Guns and Ammo, Precision Rifle, and Accurate Rifle magazines are now gone or filled with advertisments and less technical and quality shooting related reading. A few years ago Field and Stream took a course following the bunny lovers and tree huggers, changing their format to Mountain Biking, camping, and Kyaking. It lasted about two of three issues and their subscriber base dropped by 80 percent. They corrected the error of their ways and have improved their magazine significantly. Their first swing may correlate to the decline in number of shooters today. This is further demonstrated on the decline of sporting goods stores that sell guns and reloading equipment.

In my opinion the internet has replaced the once strong paper media. With an instantanious and interactive way to share ones love and knowledge of shooting. Benchrest Central, 6mmBR, Accurate Reloading, Snipers Hide, LongRangedotcom, and many others have come to replace the once loved printed media.

It is sad that so many shooters have lost their love for the printed media, it is a loose loose situation. I directly or indirectly know many of the PS Board Members, Shooting Columnist and Advertisers. It would be very interesting to me and others what the current number of subscribers are of PS magazine. What was the number of subscribers 10, 20, and 30 years ago. It would also be interesting to read the minutes of the annual board meeting to see if they discuss any issues related to subscriber numbers, subscriber issues, advertiser numbers, advertiser issues, magazine content, and magazine marketing and management issues. I have not researched but would assume PS magazine is a privately held corporation. There has been a lot of negative discussion on this board and others over the years. I would welcome some inside input frome those who know the inter-workings of PS magazine and participate on this forum.

I personally wish PS magazine could get it turned arround and make it a win win situation.

Nat Lambeth
Click to expand...

Was a complaint about dealing with people who wanted to advertise in the magazine. I could hardly believe a person who depends on advertising revenue would complain about people wanting to do it. I can well understand how you feel. P
 
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