Golf Monthly mag subscriptions - can I get your thoughts please!

MikeH

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Howdy one and all

Hope you're all keeping well and looking forward to The Masters

I'm looking for a bit of feedback from Forumers who are either.... current GM subscribers, were GM subscribers (but stopped) and anyone who has considered subscribing but hasn't yet pressed the button

If you could cut and paste the headers, delete reasons that don't apply to you and of course add in any views that'd be great

thanks!
Mike

>>>

WHY DID YOU SUBSCRIBE TO GM?
Things like...
I didn't want to miss an issue
I like the convenience of having it delivered
Great introductory gift (ie balls)
Great introductory discount (ie offer price whether that was 50% off or 6 issues for £6)
I was given it as was a birthday/xmas present
I like a specific section of the mag (instruction) or a particular writer (Ie Wayne Riley or Bill Elliott)
I like reading the digital (tablet version)

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?
Less than a year
1-2 years
2-5 years
6-10 years
more than 10 years

WHY DID YOU RENEW?
things like...
I look forward to each issue
Convenience of having it delivered
There's unmissable content
It's good value
It was a gift and the donor didn't renew it for me!

WHY DIDN'T YOU RENEW?
Things like...It was a gift and the donor didn't renew
I couldn't justify the cost
I got bored with content
Can get the content online for free
Too busy to read each issue

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?
Things like...
Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY competitions and opportunities
Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY content
A special subscriber ONLY front cover
I don't want to miss an issue
Convenience of having it delivered
Introductory gift (ie balls)
Discount (ie a great offer price/deal whether thats 50% discount of 6 issues for £6)
You like a specific section of the mag (instruction) or a particular writer (Ie Wayne Riley or Bill Elliott)
 

Lord Tyrion

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WHY DID YOU SUBSCRIBE TO GM?

I was given it as was a birthday/xmas present


HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?

2-5 years


WHY DID YOU RENEW?

It was a gift and the donor didn't stop renewing it for me! I've told them mulitple times but it keeps coming through the letter box


WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?

If the current donor stopped:

Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY competitions and opportunities
Convenience of having it delivered
Introductory gift (we all love a freebie)
Discount (ie a great offer price/deal whether thats 50% discount of 6 issues for £6)
I like the articles by pro's, currently Eddie Peperell, Wayne Riley is usually fun to read as well. GM has a good mix, it doesn't lean to heavily in one area.


The difficulty for any single sport magazine is to keep it fresh. How many times can a coach show how to hit a bunker shot, a hybrid etc. How many eloquent musings can there be about Augusta National or St Andrews? Dipping in and out of subscriptions will be almost inevitable as people see a story or theme repeated and decide enough is enough. I do think throwing the odd reward, nominal, to an existing subscriber rather than just new ones would help engender loyalty.
 
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robinthehood

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used to regualry by GM, todays Golfer.

Just foubd the content pretty samey in the end and the rise of the internet and youtube offers me what I want.

Cant imagine I'll ever buy a printed mag again (of any sort)
 

chrisd

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HY DID YOU SUBSCRIBE TO GM?
To save having to go to a shop to buy it and to save money

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?

6-10 years

WHY DID YOU RENEW?

I look forward to each issue
Convenience of having it delivered



WHY DIDN'T YOU RENEW?

I cancelled this year as I wasnt getting any reduction compared to offers being made to non subscribers

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?

I like the feel of a magazine over a tablet/computer but at a good price
 

Imurg

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WHY DID YOU SUBSCRIBE TO GM?
Things like...
I didn't want to miss an issue
I like the convenience of having it delivered
Great introductory gift (ie balls)
Great introductory discount (ie offer price whether that was 50% off or 6 issues for £6)
I like a specific section of the mag (instruction) or a particular writer (Ie Wayne Riley or Bill Elliott)

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?
6-10 years

WHY DID YOU RENEW?
things like...
I look forward to each issue
Convenience of having it delivered
There's unmissable content
It's good value
[/QUOTE]
Being honest, I usually let my subscription lapse for a month and then renew to get the introductory offer.
There wasn't a gift this year, just the discount price.
I did waver for a while as, sometimes, the content doesn't grab me as much - but the same goes for YouTube channels, I don't watch everything.
It can get a little repetitive at times and reports on Majors are a bit softer the fact as I was watching it.
I've never paid much attention to the instruction sections but the gear and course sections are useful.
I like Bill's page, tend to skim Radar's and the Playing Editor's- depending on who is in the seat. Lee, Howeller and Eddie work well.
There used to be more "Subscriber only" perks, not sure they're around now..?
Personally I hate reading the "mag" on a tablet. I just can't get my eyes tuned in to it.
 

Old Skier

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WHY DID YOU SUBSCRIBE TO GM?

I was given it as was a birthday/xmas present and still do - bless the mother-in-law

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?

more than 10 years

WHY DID YOU RENEW?

Convenience of having it delivered

WHY DIDN'T YOU RENEW?

NA

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?
Things like...

You like a specific section of the mag or a particular writer Wayne Riley or Bill Elliott course info


Biggest grip : As i get a regular subscription I don’t get any of the mags offers And no reduction offers.
 
D

Deleted member 15344

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Why did you subscribe to GM

Ease of finding all the content in one area
interactive on the iPad

How long have you subscribed for

2 years

Why didn’t you renew

The removal of the forum page
Most of the content can be gained by going on the GM twitter page or Facebook etc
 

The Fader

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I don't subscribe directly. In my opinion physical magazines are old hat as are online subscriptions to individual titles

I pay £7.99 a month for Readly where Golf Monthly is one of several golf publications available along with literally hundreds if not
thousands of other magazines across every genre imaginable.

One the best value apps ever in my opinion.
 

GB72

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WHY DID YOU SUBSCRIBE TO GM?
Things like...

It was an annual Xmas present.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?

Subscribed for about 4 years.

WHY DID YOU RENEW?

I used to get a renewal as an annual Xmas gift

WHY DIDN'T YOU RENEW?

I stopped reading it cover to cover. The content was similar each year in a lot of instances and I was less interested in the latest gear and equipment.
The rise of Youtube Channels gave me much of the golf content I needed.

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?
Things like...

I would prefer something along the lines of a Patreon supported youtube channel. I prefer video content these days and still imagery just seems a little outdated now in many instances. I guess with having no real access to golf on TV, coverage of the professional aspect has become less relevant to me and aspects aimed at improving my own game just seem better in video format.
 
D

Deleted member 16999

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WHY DID YOU SUBSCRIBE TO GM?
I was given it as was a birthday/xmas present

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?
On and off more than 10 years

WHY DID YOU RENEW?
I looked forward to each issue
Convenience of having it delivered
Habit

WHY DIDN'T YOU RENEW?
Content got a bit stale,

Majority of content seems available on other platforms.

New Subscription offers were better than offered to existing subscribers

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?
Reward Loyalty.

Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY competitions and opportunities.

Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY content - big one for me this, shallow, but what exactly am I getting for my money? If it’s not much, then why bother, as mentioned above, a lot of stuff is available on FBook, Twitter etc which are free.
 
D

Deleted member 1147

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I don’t subscribe to any magazines. I just buy them as and when I want them.
Mainly because they are always a bit too similar from one month to the next, for my liking.
I might take out a subscription if I could just get them once per quarter or every two months.
 
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Karl102

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?
Less than a year

6-10 years

WHY DID YOU RENEW?
things like...
I look forward to each issue. Cheers me up when I get home from a bad day at work and see the envelope there.
Convenience of having it delivered
There's unmissable content - new equipment reviews and interviews
It's good value

WHY DIDN'T YOU RENEW?
N. /a

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?
Things like...
Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY competitions and opportunities
Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY content
I don't want to miss an issue
Convenience of having it deliveredr
Play interviews
UK course reviews (not just the well known top 100 courses)
Eddie Pepp piece
What's in the bag sections and the head to head part of the new equipment
 

Fish

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I was subscribed for about 2+ years, but then bought them when I used to go to the paper shop for 5+ years, which I stopped doing years ago.

However, I also found them becoming too samey, I didn’t like all the foreign courses featured, and the instructions were of no interest when you have lessons with your club pro.

When you stripped that away along with pages upon pages of advertising, which I appreciate is needed, it didn’t leave enough content for me, and then when the forum page went, it was an easy decision, and haven’t purchased or looked at one since!

It lost its ‘personal appeal’ for me, I couldn’t relate to any of its content, local club events or club achievements became lost also, or minimized, it took too much of a turn towards being over commercialized imo, following the £ too much and forgetting about the bottom dwelling club golfers.
 

HomerJSimpson

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WHY DID YOU SUBSCRIBE TO GM?
Things like...
I didn't want to miss an issue
I like the convenience of having it delivered
I was given it as was a birthday/xmas present
I like a specific section of the mag (instruction) or a particular writer (Ie Wayne Riley or Bill Elliott)

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?
more than 10 years

WHY DID YOU RENEW?
things like...
Convenience of having it delivered
There's unmissable content
It's good value


WHY DIDN'T YOU RENEW?
N/A

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?
Things like...
Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY competitions and opportunities
Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY content
I don't want to miss an issue
Convenience of having it delivered
You like a specific section of the mag (instruction) or a particular writer (Ie Wayne Riley or Bill Elliott)
 

MikeH

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folks, many thanks for the brilliant feedback! very insightful and super useful for me to be able to take away to our subs team and work up some ideas
any more from any more is of course most welcome
cheers
Mike
 

drewster

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WHY DID YOU SUBSCRIBE TO GM?

Introductory offer, forum page (i joined the forum first), new gear exclusives

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?

1-2 years

WHY DID YOU RENEW?

Delivery convenience, and all the reasons i originally subscribed

WHY DIDN'T YOU RENEW?

Dropped the forum page
Too much tuition and coaching for me

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?

Reinstate the forum page and embrace it even more.
Exclusive deals for subscribers
Subscription gift ....annually .
Less tuition
Subscriber only merchandise - GM golf towels, Bags , etc,etc
 

TigerBear

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First 4 headings don't apply to me as I've never subscribed to any golf magazines. I used to like to keep my options open and buy different magazines when I wanted to. Basically now I only buy golf mags if looking at equipment reviews, has an article on Tiger or if travelling.

I get all my content and reviews from YouTube like many others have said,and videos are the main platform, only platform i use day to day.


WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?

Given that I get everything I need from YouTube I'd need good incentives to consider taking out a monthly subscription i.e. deals on course offers similar to bunkered (they use to do brilliant deals on the top courses in the UK), exclusive access to subscribers content so YouTube content videos, promotions on anything really but i need a hook for my monthly dues, discount for signing up and complimentary gift. Not that I'm needy lol!
 

pokerjoke

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Things like...
I didn't want to miss an issue
I like the convenience of having it delivered


HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?
6-10 years


WHY DID YOU RENEW?
things like...

Convenience of having it delivered


WHY DIDN'T YOU RENEW?
N/A

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?

I am subscribed
Used to read the mag religiously from page to page for years,now I don’t read it at all but I will flick through it when bored stiff.
Used to go to the forum page first and keep the ones with my name or picture in.
Kept my subscription going to get the chance of an exclusive opportunity but haven’t had one for 10 years when others have had 2 or more even when serving a ban and nearly stopped subscribing then.
Really was pleased when the mag was put into a paper protecter rather than the plastic bag,actually nearly suggested that.
Will probably keep subscribing because it’s relatively cheap compared to other things I buy.
Agree with others that it’s getting a bit repetitive.
Don’t mind the adverts as long as there’s plenty of other interesting things as well.
When I first joined I certainly felt Golf monthly was a big part of the forum and it combined well,now not so much.
 

Blue in Munich

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WHY DID YOU SUBSCRIBE TO GM?

I like the convenience of having it delivered
Great introductory discount (ie offer price whether that was 50% off or 6 issues for £6)
I like a specific section of the mag (instruction) or a particular writer (Ie Wayne Riley or Bill Elliott)


HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?

6-10 years (I think)


WHY DID YOU RENEW?
Convenience of having it delivered
There's unmissable content


WHY DIDN'T YOU RENEW?
N/A

Why wouldn't I renew? If it went digital only. Call me a Luddite but there is something wrong about reading a magazine or a book on a computer.

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?
If I wasn't already subscribed...

Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY competitions and opportunities
Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY content
A special subscriber ONLY front cover
Convenience of having it delivered
Discount (ie a great offer price/deal whether thats 50% discount of 6 issues for £6)
You like a specific section of the mag (instruction) or a particular writer (Ie Wayne Riley or Bill Elliott)

Mike, one thing missing from why did you renew was any thought of a loyalty bonus for continued subscription. Motorcycle magazines that I have subscribed to have stuck to the original good deal & consequently I've stuck with a number of them. Whilst GM has offered some very good introductory offers (2 dozen TP5's spring to mind), there was nothing at the same time for continued loyalty. Out of interest, how many of those that took the 2 dozen still subscribe and how many ran away after a year with their free balls? It's a gripe that comes up with some regularity on Random Irritations regarding car insurance. As others have said, I miss the Forum page.
 
D

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WHY DID YOU SUBSCRIBE TO GM?
Things like...
I like the convenience of having it delivered
Great introductory gift (ie balls)
Great introductory discount (ie offer price whether that was 50% off or 6 issues for £6)
I like a specific section of the mag (instruction) or a particular writer ( Bill Elliott) - My favourite page

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED FOR?
10yrs on and off.

WHY DID YOU RENEW?
things like...
I look forward to each issue
Convenience of having it delivered

It's good value

WHY DIDN'T YOU RENEW?
Things like...It was a gift and the donor didn't renew
I got bored with content


WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION?
Things like...
Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY competitions and opportunities
Access to exclusive subscriber ONLY content
A special subscriber ONLY front cover
I don't want to miss an issue
Convenience of having it delivered
Introductory gift (ie balls)
You like a specific section of the mag (instruction) or a particular writer (Ie Wayne Riley or Bill Elliott)
Do miss the forum page.
Could you also look into adding a specific golf fitness feature few months or something?

On a point i think Pokerjoke made was exclusive opportunities via the mag/forum.

What gets right on my wick is when there's a full kit rigout opportunity and *Barry from Portsmouth* with 56posts in 10yrs gets chosen, comes on the forum to say how great it was and disappears with said full kit never to post again or get involved with the forum.

*disclaimer- no offence to any Barry's from Portsmouth.
 
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