We're working on strategy for E Edition
In my blog last week about the Gazette’s improved Web site and how it might affect print circulation, several commenters asked if they could subscribe to the E Edition and not get the print edition.
The answer is yes … and no.
For those who don’t know, the E Edition is a complete replica of the daily paper online.
Lon Haenel, the Gazette’s circulation director, explains that customers outside of the Gazette’s circulation area can buy the E Edition exclusively and not receive the print edition.
“This is a great fit for customers wintering in other states, or even college students,” Haenel said.
The cost is $4.95 a month, compared to about $17 a month for the print edition.
The Gazette is researching options for offering just the E Edition to customers within its print delivery area, Haenel said. One model being considered is a hybrid E Edition, in which customers receive seven days of the E Edition plus the Sunday print edition, with all of its inserts.
“Other newspapers providing a similar service have been able to do so at a much lower cost when compared to daily delivery of its print newspaper,” Haenel said.
The E Edition is available at no extra charge to subscribers. Sunday-only subscribers get access to Sunday editions; weekend subscribers receive access to the weekend editions, and daily subscribers have access to all editions. E Editions are available for up to seven days. That means subscribers can read E Editions up to a week old, depending on their print delivery schedules.
It’s important to remember that the print edition still pays the bills at the Gazette, and we need to retain as many print readers as possible. We’re trying to strike a balance to give people the information they want when and how they want it, but it’s complicated. We’re sorting through it all, and we’re making progress.
Jul 14, 2008 at 4:02 p.m.
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As a internet user and frequenter to the Gazette online, I would be more inclined to purchase the online version. There are many reasons, but the main two are the price and the fact that the paper copies produce so much waste. I am not sure how many people recycle their used papers (the recycling center or packing things in boxes or as fillers for those gift bags).
I understand the costs to the paper, but I am sure there is some happy medium. Does the E Edition have to be just $4.95? What if it were $6 or $8? It would still be economical.
Jul 14, 2008 at 8:23 a.m.
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One thing I’ve noticed about some other newspapers online presence is that they have member blogs. The topics range from sports to politics. I’m not sure how the pick those who have their own blogs, but it adds an element of variety. I’m sure the paper would have to have a terms of use agreement for that section, which would abstain the paper of any liability from comments made in that section. This would be another avenue of regular discussion, which would increase traffic.
Jul 14, 2008 at 1:39 a.m.
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completely off topic but...
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are there any reports of people syphining gas(sucking gas through a tube into some container to put in another car)
Jul 14, 2008 at 12:10 a.m.
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Why pay to get news here, when I can get the same major stories free from the channel 3 news site.
I would not pay to use this site.
Jul 13, 2008 at 6:49 p.m.
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An E Edition would solve some accessibility issues also.
For example, I have a vision impairment and find reading newspaper print very fatiguing to my eyes. Some days, I could come home from work and read some of the paper, but other days my eyes hurt too much or are too tired. Therefore I don't subscribe to the paper because I never know when I can read it.
I love access to the Gazette online (I can make the screen larger with software and can even make the software read the paper to me when my eyes are really tired) but I'm pretty sure I miss out on some things in the regular print edition. I know there are others out there with print disabilities (blindness, dyslexia, etc) that would find an electronic edition much easier to get through.
Jul 13, 2008 at 3:52 p.m.
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I used to get the sunday paper for the coupons
but somehow mine were always missing . so I ended that asap. I would use the e-edition and would not mind paying a reasonable price for it...
Jul 12, 2008 at 6:56 p.m.
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The Market Place is just another "tool" for the circulation numbers. As for the inserts they are mainly the left over ones that came in and did'nt get inserted. You see, the Market Place is considered "free" and they dont care if you don't get the full Sunday inserts in it. And if they run short on the inserts for the regular Sunday paper they will just short Walworth Co. So you consider your self lucky if you get any inserts at all in the Market Place, and if you want the inserts just ask your paper carrier where he throws them out at.
Jul 12, 2008 at 4:31 p.m.
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I think the E-Edition makes a lot of sense for some people and will be popular with those outside the circ area.
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Zoom, it's true that advertising doesn't work the same way online. The plus that the online edition can have is that its advertising can be better targeted and can result in measurable click-throughs and other contacts. The challenge will be to replace revenue because there will be people who will discontinue the print version altogether. I don't blame the Gazette for taking their time.
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It is very interesting that two Wisconsin papers, the Capital Times and now the Superior Daily Telegram, are among the first to attempt to move the majority of their distribution online.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/...
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The Gazette is obviously in a much more secure position, so joining this trend is not in the immediate offing.
Jul 12, 2008 at 2:04 p.m.
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I would guess that the Gazette gets only a fraction (5%?) of it's advertising revenue from the web, compared to the printed paper. If circulation of the printed paper goes down, advertising customers will want to pay less. You can't just convert a customer from a printed paper subscription to a web subscription, and receive the same advertising revenue.
localboy,
The free Marketplace section doesn't include all the inserts and coupons.
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:59 p.m.
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Scott,
I'm glad the issue is still alive and well. I am an avid fan of the e-Edition, and read it every time I'm out of town. It is a wonderful service for those of us who travel or winter away from the area. I also read GazetteXtra online every day, as does my wife.
I'm not opposed to paying an adjusted subscription fee for the e-Edition. That way your advertisers have a headcount of those who see their ads. I know that good reporting is never free, and I'm willing to pay my fare in support of journalism. I would be happy if I did not need to pay for the ink-and-paper-and-delivery part of the enterprise.
Study this enterprise well. We want it to work.
Jul 12, 2008 at 8:43 a.m.
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Please don't limit it to the circulation area. That really isn't fair.
Jul 12, 2008 at 7:58 a.m.
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By the way, I am the only one who reads the newspaper, as my wife is only interested in the stuffers. But, isn't that what the "Marketplace" is for? I could never understand that distribution strategy.
Jul 12, 2008 at 7:55 a.m.
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I have had several discussions with Scott regarding this option and this was close to a year ago. I don't know how much more the Gazette has to study? I am sure they are weighing in on the financial impact of the offering and an approxiamate amount of people that would take the E-print. I know I would, and as I explained to Scott, I am willing to pay full subscription amount to have it. I will no longer have a wet newspaper, one in the bushes, or one that I am waiting for. I also would not have to cancel it every time I wanted to go up north for a week or two. I think it would be a great deal! I hope they go through with it.
Jul 11, 2008 at 9:10 p.m.
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$4.95 a month for a e edition would be very welcome news to me. I can't afford the paper on a regular basis but love to read it. I look forward to some version of the e gazette hopefully sometime soon.
Jul 11, 2008 at 4:28 p.m.
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This is a re-write of the 5 and 6th sentences of my last post. I don't know what happened with the last post.
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Then of course there are the all E-Edition or print edition options. The key to the web and nearly any service or product is being customer centric.
Jul 11, 2008 at 4:25 p.m.
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I think with time the process will work itself out. It may get complicated, but there are many potential options for the Gazette. There could be multiple package offerings. One package could be E-Edition and Sunday print. Another package could offer Wednesday through Sunday print and E-edition (Mon and Tue papers are normally smaller with no sale ads). The off course all E-Edition or all print edition offerings. The key to the web and nearly any service or product is being custom centric. The more options customers have the more likely they will be to buy a product or use a service. Either way I’m confident that the Gazette will provide quality product. Keep up the good work and thank you for allowing us to voice our opinion.
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