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From: "Christopher Gray" <>
Subject: Re: [TGF] Digital vs. Print Publications
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:12:07 +0100
References: <59DFFF4DE09248CC9EE910DB28D99A3B@ChristyPC>
In-Reply-To: <59DFFF4DE09248CC9EE910DB28D99A3B@ChristyPC>


Christy,

> Is there still a need for a society to print and mail
> their publications if they are placing them online as well?

I would suggest that one of the aims of a genealogical society is to still
be in existence in 10-20 years. To do this, I would assume that they have
to keep their current members and attract new ones. Part of the strategy to
achieve this will be to offer them they products and/or services they want
in a way and format they want of it, and at a cost they can afford. Not
rocket science is it?

So - printing a publication if there is no market, or you are left with
copies in the store-room, is a waste of money. Moving totally away from
print could mean that you lose business and members. Selling more and more
on-line does not mean that the number of print copies sold decreases and so
could be seen as a red-herring. One should concentrate on how to satisfy
the market for your print products in a cost-effective manner.

There would seem to be a growing number of companies specialising in low
cost, low volume print runs. However, you may need to re-design your
documents to take advantage of these offers - e.g. page sizes, binding, etc.

If members of the society gain free copies of some documents - maybe it
should be free for on-line users while those who want printed copies pay for
them. You may find that they no longer want the document if they have to
pay for it. However, it should keep the membership fees down.

Many thoughts.

Chris

[Christopher Gray]
Guild of One-Name Studies member 3286
Society of Genealogists - 022836
The Gray / Grey One-Name Study (Worldwide) http://www.gray-ons.org/





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