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.
Forbes has unveiled a “dramatic” redesign of Forbes magazine, which debuts with the annual Forbes 400 issue hitting newsstands this week, as well as the next iteration of a Forbes.com redesign.
Two of Informa’s reference texts have been highly commended at this year’s BMA Medical Book Awards.
A one shot, from Sport Media, celebrating Cliff Richard’s 70th birthday, goes on sale on 1st October, priced at £4.99.
Look – the high street fashion and celebrity style magazine – is making the fashion news with the launch of The Look Shoe for Office with “undisputed” leaders in high street footwear fashion, Office.
A oneshot, from Boston Hannah International, celebrating Coronation Street’s 50th anniversary goes on sale on 7th October, priced at £2.50.
The special 10th anniversary issue of Linux Magazine goes on sale on 2nd October, priced at £8.99.
Creative Beads & Jewellery Annual, from Practical Publishing International, launches on 7th October, priced £7.99.
IPC Connect publishing director Sandy Gale has announced the appointment of Sally Eyden as editor of celebrity weekly, Now.
IPC Media's licensing and syndication business IPC Plus - working together with Baker Lifestyle, part of the GP&J Baker group, and international brand licensing company Global Brands Group – has announced the launch of a new fabric and wallpaper coll
Perennial favourite beans on toast is falling out of favour for modern students, who favour more experimentation in the kitchen, according to a new survey from BBC Good Food magazine.
The PPA is working to help retailers across the country boost magazine sales through the nationwide roll-out of Just Ask, its relaunched Shop Save and Home News Delivery (HND) initiative.
Madgex, the job board outsource specialist, has announced a value-added commercial partnership with U.S. based job board service provider Amped Market Place Inc., (AMP).
Wyndeham has announced that Roy Kingston has rejoined the Group as Chief Operating Officer.
BBC Magazines Bristol has announced that its successful international title BBC Knowledge Magazine will be made available in the UK from issue 14, on sale 13 October 2010.
Gerry Woolf, editor and publisher of Batteries and Energy Storage Technology Magazine explains how his company hit upon publishing in the Chinese language, for Chinese readership.
