I've been relatively quiet on the blogosphere in the last couple of weeks. Focusing on transition issues has been demanding. Nevertheless, I have a number of items to discuss, and hope to do so in coming days. This will include my continuing transition series. But for now ...
Late last week our church received a packet from ONEvoice! magazine for promoting our official publication. The "Bring it Home!" campaign is intended to increase awareness of the magazine and, more importantly, to increase subscriptions.
I think this campaign will work, and should easily increase the subscriber base by several multiples. Why am I so optimistic? They've finally made it easy to subscribe. Congregation members just have to fill out the card and leave it at the church. Billing will occur later. So, no need to write a check or fill out credit card information.
In the past it has been extremely difficult for me to get our congregation to respond to ONEvoice! promotions. Yesterday's brief mention generated a number of new subscribers. (One could argue that their interest was piqued because I am now a regular contributor to the magazine, but even so the ease of subscription seemed to facilitate the process better than before).
In case you haven't seen the latest issue (October/November 2006) a number of changes have been implemented to make the periodical more attractive, accessible and meaningful to our constituents. In my opinion, there is still much more that could be done to enhance the publication, but with a dramatic increase in subscriptions the possibility for expansion is more likely.
ONEvoice! cannot be considered the only vehicle for communication and dissemination within the Church of God, but it has the potential to be an even more important one than it is now. I will be interested to hear how this latest campaign is received across the church.
2 comments:
Very interested to read your comments on the OV promotion, Lloyd. We've been getting an unusual number of phone calls and e-mails in response to it---all very positive.
I am of course intrigued by your comment, "In my opinion, there is still much more that could be done to enhance the publication..." Would you share some specific comments about other changes you'd like to see in the magazine? (Feel free to e-mail me privately if you prefer. However, I would like to see some dialogue about this on your blog if others would like to share their ideas.)
We're eager to make ONEvoice! the most useful periodical for the Church of God that it can be.
Joe Allison, Coordinator
Communications and Publishing
Church of God Ministries, Inc.
Joe,
I too would like to hear from others on the topic.
Actually I don't think there is really anything wrong with ONEvoice! as it is now. I think you have captured the right balance (although I know that in doing so you frustrate those with a very narrow vision for our national publication).
The only area of improvement is in the depth and quantity of content. But, that is less of a publishing or editorial matter and more of a financial one. With the small subscriber base up to this point it has not been feasible to produce large issues. I have heard this criticism from a number of lay persons who have had trouble putting down $20 for six sparse issues.
This is why I am hopeful because of this new promotional campaign. With a larger subscription base you will first be able to meet your financial obligations, and second, hopefully be able to feel free to allow for more expansive writing and coverage.
Keep up the good work!
Lloyd
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