Popular/Woodworking Magazine Combined GASP!
So yesterday...I go to the mail box and am going through the mail and thought wow that's strange why did I get a Woodworking Magazine in the mail (instead of subscribing I eagerly wait for the hardback every April and read it over and over and over again).
Then open it and the first thing I notice is that it has ad's. I think to myself What the hell..ok oh maybe they sent out a free subscription with ad's in it to hook subscribers to the regular magazine..then to my HORROR i read...we have combined popular woodworking with woodworking magazine.
Sigh ...I'm going to miss the totally long insane detail on the smallest of details, the I don't care if it takes a paragraph or a page " I'm going to explain this topic even if we have to get rid of another column", the yes we can say that about a product because we don't have ad's. The articles focused the best approach and the simple but challenging projects.
Most of all I'm going to miss the meat, popular woodworking to me was always candy less candy then most magazine but still candy a magazine design to get people into woodwork and Woodworking Magazine..well it was my "go to book" my grail, holiest of woodworking books that I have ate with, slept with, spend as much time by my bedside as in my shop, the book that no matter what your level that every article you'd learn something new to bump up your skill.
Sigh...I'm going to miss Woodworking Magazine and now will have to endure flipping through ad's and silly columns like "Arts and Mysteries", and nice color glossy photo's that have zero purpose another than to sell a magazine on a shelf.
Woodworking Magazine ...you will be missed.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sharon on -
oh wow, from all the commotion I would have thought this combined process would create the opposite effect in favor of the magazine - maybe it's in favor or popular woodworking then.
I don't subscribe to neither so don't have a personal experience. but sucks to see that it's taking value off for some people.
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Permalink Reply by Marc on -
While I thoroughly enjoyed the new magazine, I can totally see your point. To me, the new publication definitely falls more on the side of Popular Woodworking than Woodworking Magazine. I subscribed to and enjoyed both publications, but rarely had time to sit down and read both from cover to cover. So the new combo effort works well for me. But my first thought after reading the new version was, "Wow. Hardcore Woodworking Mag fans aren't going to like this."
Would it be fair to say that Pop. WW'ing received a nice upgrade, as opposed to a true merging of both magazines?
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Permalink Reply by Marty Knowles on -
I'm waiting to see of the Schwarz holds true to his statement that the new PW will hold true to the "deceased" WM editorial view on tool reviews. Their honesty in regards to tool reviews and the tools value were worth the price of the subscription alone. It's something I wish other woodworking magazines and websites, including this one, would take more to heart.
I realize that if you bash someone's shiny new tool that they are less likely to send you more free stuff, but that is exactly what we want to hear, an honest opinion.
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Permalink Reply by Onboard on -
Besides cost savings in these economically depressed times, and reduction of administrative overhead, why did they combine the two magazines?
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Permalink Reply by Marty Knowles on
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Onboard said:
For the two reasons you mentioned, apparently both mags were profitable according to his Schwarzness.Besides cost savings in these economically depressed times, and reduction of administrative overhead, why did they combine the two magazines?
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Permalink Reply by Mark Anderson on -
I saw that ... and while I'm not an economist..that didn't make any sense to me. It's it kinda like a business saying we have 2 stores that are profitable and everything is great..so lets close down one of them? Huh?
Marty Knowles said:Onboard said:
For the two reasons you mentioned, apparently both mags were profitable according to his Schwarzness.Besides cost savings in these economically depressed times, and reduction of administrative overhead, why did they combine the two magazines?
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Permalink Reply by Marc on
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If I am interpreting their words correctly, I think what they were saying is that although the two magazines were both profitable, this move was intended as more of a pre-emptive strike. So the magazines are profitable now, but given the writing on the wall, will they be 5 years from now? My guess is the consolidation gives them their best chance of surviving as things continue to get tougher in that market. Proactive instead of reactive, basically.
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Permalink Reply by megan fitzpatrick on
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I'm talking out of school here ('cause I'm sitting at home now with a cup of tea), but essentially, Marc is right. We want to continue to be profitable, useful, entertaining, informative, inspiring and more in the coming years, and we're being tasked with expanding into new arenas (such as DVDs, more Internet presence, online videos, etc), with the same number of staff members.
Now it's true that Chris doesn't seem to need sleep, and the rest of us are hard-working as well (if not quite as crazy as Chris), but there are only so many hours in the day, and we want to produce a magazine that is worth reading...heck...the best one available in the category. So our hope is that in Popular Woodworking Magazine, we provide the best of what both Woodworking Magazine and Popular Woodworking had to offer, and present it in a more visually appealing way (bigger pages, better drawings, nicer paper) with the same staff, and a well-balanced mix of hand tools and power tools. It is indeed a work in progress, and we're very interested in what readers have to say. While we can't, of course, please everyone, we're sure going to try our best to do so.
Megan (managing editor)
Marc said:If I am interpreting their words correctly, I think what they were saying is that although the two magazines were both profitable, this move was intended as more of a pre-emptive strike. So the magazines are profitable now, but given the writing on the wall, will they be 5 years from now? My guess is the consolidation gives them their best chance of surviving as things continue to get tougher in that market. Proactive instead of reactive, basically.
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Permalink Reply by Eric Franklin on
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For what I have read of the new magazine, I like it. Woodworking Magazine was beyond my ability right now and was loosing interest in it. I was struggling with keeping my subscription because I knew I would eventually want the magazines when my ability improves. I liked Popular Woodworking but liked the look of Woodworking Magazine better. Popular Woodworking Magazine gives me the look of Woodworking Magazine which I liked and content that applied to a wider audience.
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Permalink Reply by Shawn Nichols on -
I just want to know how you guys have the magazine and I don't. I live about 10 miles from Pop Wood headquarters and my issue hasn't arrived yet. = )
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Permalink Reply by Andy Cloud on -
I subscribe to neither. But while reading your discussion, it seems combining the magazines could broaden their customer base. According to what you all are saying woodworking magazine is for the more experienced woodworkers. and popular woodworking is more of a skill building publication. Seeing a merger, and the description by Megan, this seems to interest me in a publication I have never read. This sort of thing can create a more "all inclusive magazine" and I like the sound of that. Not to mention tha all important "Buzz" in the marketing world. There is only so much I will spend on subscriptions, when free web based knowlege is availible, although not of the same quality as magazines (not counting you Marc). This could be a tool to draw new readers, and hopefully not alienate the current subscribers. I'll find a news stand and check it out. If I like it, then, "mission accomplished" for the new magazine.
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Permalink Reply by Scot McKibbin on -
I have not seen the new combined issue, owever, I am ondering if they have done anything about the too light to read typeface for eyes over 40? I ended my subscription to PW last year afer sending several email messages about how hard it was to enjoy reading the fine print and never getting a response. My money is better spent elsewhere!
Sharon said:oh wow, from all the commotion I would have thought this combined process would create the opposite effect in favor of the magazine - maybe it's in favor or popular woodworking then.
I don't subscribe to neither so don't have a personal experience. but sucks to see that it's taking value off for some people.
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