B2B publishing has quietly become one of the healthier parts of the industry. The trade press that once lived on display and recruitment advertising now earns more of its money from subscriptions, data, events and membership, and private equity has noticed.
The shift meant giving up some old habits. Controlled circulation made sense in print, but open websites gave away what the magazine kept for qualified readers, and the publishers doing best have taken back control of their audiences through registration and paywalls. The Lawyer moved from an advertising-led business to one where paid content brings in over 40 per cent of revenue.
Don’t delude yourself because the barriers to entry in publishing are now non-existent.
Amanda Barnes B2B media
Specialist knowledge is the defence. AI makes generic information close to worthless, so the value lies in proprietary data, tools readers rely on in their daily work and journalism only a specialist could produce, as Computer Weekly's Post Office investigation showed. Print hasn't vanished either. Some publishers now sell it alongside digital at the same price and let readers choose.
Below you'll find some of our best feature articles on B2B and trade media, from subscriptions and data products to events, print, consolidation and specialist journalism, alongside our latest news and industry commentary.
We asked Amanda Barnes, chief executive of Faversham House, what does best practice publishing look like in B2B media? This is what she said…
Rory Brown has enjoyed great success in business media. Having last year sold AgriBriefing and now following new paths in the B2B space, he takes some time out to tell us what he has learned on his journey so far…
Print is certainly not dead, says Chairman Mark Allen. However, you need to offer readers choice and be neutral and agnostic about the outcome.
The Lawyer has been on quite a journey, successfully transitioning from a controlled circulation ad-driven model to a high value enterprise subs one. Andy Baker talks Meg Carter through the key stages and what they’ve learnt along the way.
In the first of our new ‘Digital Horizons’ series, Tom Lake, director of product and technology at Infopro Digital, looks at the tech opportunities and challenges facing his company and the wider B2B sector.
The future of B2B lies in serving your sector in three connected ways: information, intelligence and events.
John Barnes, chief digital officer, William Reed Business Media, tells Ciar Byrne about how the B2B media sector is managing the digital transformation journey.
Computer Weekly deserves much credit for its role in investigating the Horizon IT scandal. Dickon Ross looks at what lessons other B2B journalists can take from their work.
The general expectation is that the buying and selling of media brands is going to increase significantly in 2025. A number of companies have been quietly building up their war-chests during a wobbly 2024, reports Jim Bilton.
If you’re thinking of setting up a membership scheme, be prepared to play the long game because success doesn’t come overnight.
Facing challenges to their traditional business model, publishers have focused on finding new ways to monetise their brands. And, as Air Business’ Adam Sherman tells James Evelegh, Air Business has focused on developing services to help them do that.
For many publishers, the website is the linchpin of their digital operations. But, writes John Barnes, it might be time to reimagine its role.
Publishers wishing to reduce the cost of their printed publication or improve its sustainability credentials have a number of options, says Julian Townsend, publishing paper sales director at Denmaur.
Today’s technology and materials provide the best of all worlds, allowing for stunning creativity, sustainability, and sensory engagement, says Kirk Galloway, CEO and MD of Buxton Press.
If you want results; if you want to build something commercially successful, remarkable, and long-lasting, you need to think creatively, says Chris Ferrari-Wills, national sales manager at The Manson Group.
A well-structured PDF can serve as an ideal foundation for a compelling digital edition, says Jason Mengers, managing director at Touch Tree Technology.
The purpose of design is to engage readers and ensure they continue reading, says Michael Chinnery, founder of CPUK Print Publishing.
Print is certainly not dead, says Chairman Mark Allen. However, you need to offer readers choice and be neutral and agnostic about the outcome.
As publishers adapt to evolving audience expectations and environmental responsibilities, paper wrapping has become the gold standard, says Stuart Searle, managing director of First Mailing.
For subscription copies, mailing is the final piece of the jigsaw. Neil Carter, sales & commercial director at Posthub, outlines the key components of the distribution plan.
Elsevier has introduced Reaxys AI Search, enabling faster and more accessible chemistry research through natural language discovery.
How Google AI offerings are harming publishers: the PPA last week submitted recommendations to the Competition and Markets Authority.
Taylor & Francis Online showcases multimedia content to boost research engagement and impact.
Wilmington plc has announced the acquisition of Conversia.
Springer Nature, a global science publisher, has announced strong results for the first half of 2025.
