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.
IPC Inspire Men & Music brands Nuts and NME unveil a major solus campaign in partnership with the 2011 Census England and Wales to encourage the nation’s young men to engage with this year’s population count and data gathering.
The launch issue of Playgirl, the UK's latest women's magazine, goes on sale on 10th March.
United Business Media has announced that it has sold its French medical newspaper and magazine business to a management buyout team led by Gérard Kouchner, the business’s Chief Executive since 2005.
United Business Media has announced that it has signed an agreement to dispose of its UK licensed trade portfolio to William Reed.
heat has penned a one-off episode of Hollyoaks, written by the magazine's acting editor, Lucie Cave, and deputy editor, Jeremy Mark.
Leading NatMag young women's titles, Cosmopolitan and Company, have joined forces to offer what they claim is the largest cash giveaway in monthly magazine history.
Future, the special-interest media group, has revealed the latest findings of Techmonitor, its authoritative annual look at the state of the technology nation.
Healthy Food Guide, a new monthly title from Eye To Eye Media, goes on sale on 3rd March, cover priced £2.80.
The annual Print Futures Awards, sponsored by the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF), Unite the Union and The Printing Charity, are now open for entries. The closing date is 12 April 2011.
Following an article in the Daily Mail this week, quoting Mumsnet as allegedly saying that the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) has refused to display “Lads Mags” above children’s eye level, the NFRN says it has been inundated by journ
The winners of the Jameson Empire Awards 2011 will be revealed at a ceremony on Sunday, March 27 at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, hosted for the third year running by award-winning Irish comedian and television presenter Dara O Briain.
Marketforce, the newstrade sales, marketing and distribution company, has appointed Kirsty Mulhern to the senior role of head of circulation for its Independent Publisher Group.
Quark has announced the release of QuarkXPress 9, the newest version of QuarkXPress.
Issue No 1 of Victorian Dolls’ House Collector, a new partwork from RBA Coleccionables, goes on sale on 2nd March, initially priced at 99p.
The National Magazine Company’s fashion magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, has announced the appointment of Gabriele Hackworthy as Fashion Director.
