Re: Magazines - Want One?
BobT,
I'm basing my answer on the fact that I seem to always be willing to pay $50-60/year for Woodenboat magazine (published monthly), and I'm guessing that I'd get more info that I would ACTUALLY PUT TO USE from a compact-tractor magazine. (both would be pleasurable reading... but I'd probably file WB under "romance", and CT under "practical"
I would vote for a bi-monthly or quarterly publication. This would allow time for the submission/editing of sufficient material from which to choose "meaty" content, and a reasonable limit on the amount of "fluff" ( here's a picture of MY tractor, etc. ).
Don't get me wrong, ... I like a sprinkling of such "fluff" and "downhome" touches, too (the "Launchings" section in Woodenboat is an example. But I'll spend my money much more readily for a nice balance of technical, safety, applications/techniques, product news, etc., along with the sociable/neighbourly stuff.
I offer this cautionary thought ; It is very easy for an "enthusiast" (of any stripe) to imagine/convince-himself that surely everyone must find his "interest" equally exciting, only to come to realize that the relatively small group of afficianadoes with whom he is already-familiar actually constitute the bulk of those really interested. The fraternity of "human-powered vehicles"-enthusiasts and the sub-category of human-powered boats, both of which I have some background in, serve as examples.
Many have dreamed-of, and worked-hard-for the promotion/acceptance/commercial success of an idea, to fade-away, in the end , after discovering that the real "market" was nowhere near the imagined-in-the-grip-of-excitement one.
Still, with that being said, there ARE successes! And my own estimate is that the compact-tractor group (steadily growing, as you have noted, COULD support/reward such an effort. The participation and content-quality of Tractorbynet constantly amazes me! And it is very probable that the posters are just the tip of the "lurking"-iceberg.
One such "success", of a more "homegrown" flavor than the bigtime Woodenboat, is "Messing About in Boats" (I think I have the title right), which I recommend you have a look at, as an example of how a "special-interest" magazine, started "desktop"/on a small scale, can thrive and survive.
I think you have a good idea, and would pay, let's say, $35/yr. for a bi-monthly...and maybe $25/yr. for a quarterly. (my guess is that trying to publish monthly, at least in the beginning, might result in the inclusion of more "filler" than I personally would like... but I could easily be surprised about this - might be way-off).
Something that would be a BIG plus to me would be at least a "section" that was advertiser-independent, where "straight-talk" about the relative-merits of competing equipment/attatchments, etc. could be found. Unless I miss my guess, THAT ALONE is the biggest "draw" of Tractorbynet.
In todays world of hype and power-marketing, honest opinion given by knowledgeable "friends" you can trust is PRICELESS!
( I offer "Practical Sailor" as a model of this type, also worth your looking at ).
It will be interesting to see what others here think.... Good Luck!
Larry
