Looking for a little feedback on a print publication

[cyclones500]

Love the idea.

As others have said, I don't buy the mags as much as I used to, but ISU-related could be a different story.

Post details as you get them.

Do you seek ideas from Fanatics about content?

[Cyhart]

The goal of the print publication would be to make more profit for the company overall so that we can afford to pay people like Ben to write on the site on a weekly basis. Without charging subscriptions here on CF and relying on advertising alone, we have a pretty fixed budget for that sort of thing as it is.

Yes, I understand. Wasn't knocking Fanatic, just saying MCC's analogy doesn't hold up as you would expect more content from a magazine that actually costs money.
For a free site, Fanatic is great.

[Ames]

This is a serious comment too, can we do a cheerleader issue if this happens?

+1

[stateofmind]

Well, you are asking a bunch of free-loaders if they would buy stuff...

I like the idea of having a Cyclone photo album with some premium content stuff. Something that becomes a collectible each year. I think this would work at the right price point and stocked in the right places. (I highly doubt you would get many pre-orders)

Do I want an advertisement with a couple articles, oh heck no. But obviously this is how you could make money. Like the grocery stores, they don't make money from the consumer, they get their money from the supplier.

This would sell off the stands in Kum & Go, and places like that. There are so many Cyclone fans that still don't come to this site or the other one, so it has to be sold elsewhere. It blew me away in NYC to meet five college-aged kids that don't come here. (They will fly to NY for a bowl game, but don't hit the CycloneFanatic website for free). What that tells me is that you could sell this type of thing, you just wouldn't get many on here to buy. People that want "premium" information for a cost are on that other site. You might poll that site for better input.

I can't imagine that you could make money from this project. If you were just looking to get something out there with your name on it and hopefully improve traffic to this site, then this would be great. If you want to make more money for paying Bruns, I don't think this would be your best avenue.

Just my opinion of course...

[clone99]

I like the idea, not sure what i would pay for it, but less than $20 i would be interested. I don't buy other preview mag because they all pick us to be last in the conference and go 1-11. Plus they manage to say all that in one paragraph which i can read at the mag. shelf. Since neither of those predictions have come true the last 3 years why would i buy one. I remember dad used to get a book every year and i think it covered both men's basketball and football for just being in the in the cyclone club. they haven't done it for years but i think he still has all of them from the late 80's until sometime in the early 90's when they stopped. Getting that book was one of the most exciting times of the year for the football season in those days.I know he would buy one, and so would I. It would be nice to read about some of the new young players that will be likely playing during the upcoming season, instead of reading how losing AA and ARob is really going to hurt our offense buy some writer who sees we are losing our starting QB and RB so that must mean our offense will be struggling this year. Every Cyclone fan knew losing those 2 postions would be a change for this year, but we wanted to learn who the people replacing them would be. Not how hopeless we would be without them, which is what every magazine pretty much said last year.

[illinoiscyclone]

I'd be in under two conditions.


1. It is fairly cheap (like under $20)
2. I figure out how to parlay this awesome ISU degree into some sort of job by then.

[RING4CY]

Thanks for the info. Just to clarify, this would be a one time deal. We'd release a special football preview and nothing more. Not a month to month thing.

Now I'd be willing to shell out a little more if it is a one time thing. Don't want you losing money.

[CyBer]

Print is dying, I would say good idea in theory but not in practice. Have you thought about doing a electronic magazine Chris?

[RING4CY]

How about a print and online pdf purchase option. Give CF donors a free copy too, you could get more donors with that incentive.

I'd be willing to be a donor just to get the little icon under my name.

If that makes me sound selfish in any way, so be it.

[Freebird]

No.

And didn't the other two Cyclone sites try this and fail miserably? I seem to remember a bunch of people losing money.

Putting out a publication takes a lot more time that you would think. I don't think you will see a good return for the amount of time and $$ you would spend on this. I'm guessing you would end up making less than minimum wage by the time it is all said and done.

[CTTB78]

I would be a customer.

I would love to see some material that we currently do not see on the web. One idea is to do a series on "where are they now". Players and coaches from the 60s on talking about their ISU experience and what they are up to would be fun to read.

[CykoAGR]

Another idea if this goes any further would be player spotlights. Heavy on those players that are incoming to the program as well as "new starters" or potential starters.


I know that some people are diehards when it comes to recruiting etc but Im not and I assume that there are quite a few others like me.

Gives us non diehards a chance to learn about the guys we watch every week during the season.

[RayShimley]

I'd be willing to be a donor just to get the little icon under my name.

If that makes me sound selfish in any way, so be it.

Not selfish, it worked for me. :)

[mksmith2]

Honestly, I'm enough of a brand loyalist that I think I'd buy it just to support the site/company. I'd say what would ultimately keep me reading it would be information/photos/etc that are exclusive to the publication only. Also, it would be interesting to see you guys spend a couple pages or so on the incoming B12 teams, as well as a mini preview for each B12 teams.

[2020cy]

Print dead, Marmalard dead, Neidermeyer dead....