Trail Magazine - Should it stay or should it go?

[kevpg]

Found this on Devon TRF forum. Thoughts?

Kev


Trail Magazine - Should it stay or should it go.............?
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For those members who get - and read - our monthly TRF Trail magazine will have probably read, in 'The Forum' section, an open letter concerning the need for an expensive-to-publish monthly magazine.

To be honest I did not realise how much this magazine costs "us" every year - an estimated £49,000 ! This is with total subscription costs of £127,000. So 38% of your annual subscription goes into this magazine.

Personally I probably dont spend more than 10 minutes tops with this magazine in my hand before it gets thrown in the bin -- basically a cursory glance and maybe read a story if it captures my attention enough.

My personal reason for paying my annual subscription is one sole purpose. To invest in the pro-active protection of our lanes to keep trail riding open for us all. I really dont feel this magazine helps this cause in the slightest. These days any necessary information can be passed on via email, forums etc etc.

I know the magazine asks for members to express their views to the editor ([email protected]) but wondered what members and non-members thoughts were on this mag.

[Billy]

I stopped my paper edition coming through this year and now get it online.I also think my subs could be better spent in better ways.

[Fleegle]

I agree with the old bloke

[Billy]

I agree with the old bloke

Kevs not old he`s just had a hard life....................

[G-Bru]

In the interest of saving a tree I sent Debbie a E-Mail and requested that she stop sending me my paper copy and send me the PDF instead. I also politely said that our subs should be focused where needed........ fighting TRO's!!!

Should we not have a say in where our money is spent? In the age of the computer, iPhone, Android device, Tablet etc... there is really no reason why TRF should waste money on printing the "Trail" magazine. There is probably a minority of members that do not own a computer (senior members that are not tech savvy ) and therefore expect their printed copy to arrive by mail, but it IMO these few should pay extra for this costly expense, just my 2p..... "Let the stoning begin "

G.

[Beerbelly]

In the interest of saving a tree I sent Debbie a E-Mail and requested that she stop sending me my paper copy and send me the PDF instead. I also politely said that our subs should be focused where needed........ fighting TRO's!!!

Should we not have a say in where our money is spent? In the age of the computer, iPhone, Android device, Tablet etc... there is really no reason why TRF should waste money on printing the "Trail" magazine. There is probably a minority of members that do not own a computer (senior members that are not tech savvy ) and therefore expect their printed copy to arrive by mail, but it IMO these few should pay extra for this, just my 2p..... "Let the stoning begin "

G.

+1

[Dominic]

I'm not a member of TRF (yet) but for what its worth I would say an electronic copy would do me fine

[kevpg]

I agree with the old bloke

Kevs not old he`s just had a hard life....................

Pot, kettle, black!

[Dave]

I have really, thoroughly enjoyed reading the magazine each month. Having it in paper form, I feel elated when I see its letter each moth amongst the 3 trees of junk mail I get asking me to join different companies for IT support and other BS.

But if the old fags think they can do without it and a PDF exists I'm happy to settle for that if its just as professionally done.

Furthermore with the first years saving I vote that a percentage is geared towards putting a TRF app on the Android App Market (Google Play Store) and the Apple App Store for the purpose of reading monthly the issues.

Further to this point, app integration to a membership list, via email, can be linked to an account holder of the App Stores ensuring that it is accessible to TRF members only and it would be automatic.

There could also be a donate feature, a free app or paid for app for explaining about the TRF and such like, for non TRF members.

Sell this at 2 pounds per person to 20,000 people and you've already made your money back.

Developers are dirt cheap at the moment and would only cost a fraction. Of the initial years saving from removing the hard copy of the magazine.

Anyone else?

[martywashere1970]

MC

As a newbie feel free to discount my opinion but I don’t get anything in paper format if I can avoid it, so an app or pdf or even an email quite frankly would suffice for me.

Cheers
MC

[JossNorm]

Why not hold a poll amongst Surrey members? The result can be notified to TRF with a suggestion that other branches carry out the same exercise.
If the vote nationally is to dump the paper copy then, being a democratic organisation, presumably we will dump the paper copy?
Perhaps a cheaper printed toilet paper copy can be supplied to those that want a hardcopy or can't use an online copy, or like to have toilet paper in the traditional style?

NJ

[Dave]

I want an app! It might cost 10K but would be so worth it! Why hasn't the Trf kept up with the times!? App, app, app, APP, APP, APP, APP!