Publishers were also asked how all these new media channels will expand their brands, and what they thought was the future of print.
They are an interesting group, with a strong bias to MDs, publishers and owners in niche consumer and b2b media businesses, under £10m turnover.
With an even split across consumer and business, 89% publish printed magazines, 89% publish online, 70% publish e-newsletters, 47% live events and 19% mobile.
Among the group, confidence is good, with plenty of experimental activity in a variety of new media sectors, confirming our view that innovation is taking place in specialist markets ahead of many mainstream publishing sectors.
Take-up of digital media channels is good, with plans for further expansion.
* 34% are charging for online content now – and another 15% have plans to do so in the next two years
* One-third of those can charge several hundred pounds for annual subscriptions
* 16% already charge for web-based digital editions, and a further 12% bundle with a print subscription
* 22% already have a mobile app or are about to launch – a further 15% plan a launch in the next year. Business models are split between sponsored and paid, with lots of testing in process
* 34% plan a digital archive – either subs-driven or ad-funded
* 42% are planning a tablet edition
* 53% are planning to add video content
* New innovative online services are also being considered for the next two years: 70% are considering running online networking services, 63% webinars, 53% virtual events and 39% distance learning
It’s not all digital, though, as over half have plans to run live events – consumer or b2b - in the next 2 years.
Confidence is growing, albeit slowly, with most businesses expecting turnover growth next year, and steady increases in margins.
And, perhaps most interestingly, they are bullish on the prospects for print, with 85% expecting consumer magazines to be in print beyond 2020, with specialist consumer titles the most resilient. However, 42% expect all printed business magazines to be subs only within 5 years.
The survey is organised by the Specialist Media Show and backed by InPublishing, PPA, University of Leicester and Wessenden Marketing. It was carried out by eDigitalResearch.
