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.
In the digital world, content can all too easily become commodity. But, says copywriter Andy Maslen, tone of voice is still worth paying for. Here’s his guide to reflecting your brand’s personality in your copy.
Like print publishing, direct mail has been heavily impacted by the internet, and, like print publishing, it’s hanging in there. Indeed, says Jenny Moseley, with open rates for email campaigns continuing to decline, there has been something of a resu
Magazine publishers have launched a mentoring scheme to support and promote diversity among the industry’s workforce.
Future, the special-interest media group, has announced a new partnership with Sharon Osbourne Management to publish the first-ever officially endorsed magazine from the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne.
Intermedia Brand Marketing has announced the appointment of Katrina Gibson to the role of Business Development Director, reporting directly to Managing Director, John Bardsley.
The Lord Lieutenant for East Sussex, Mr Peter Field, visited Wadhurst, UK-based publishing company KHL Group this week to present the company with the Queen's Award for Enterprise – International Trade category.
The APA has announced the launch of the International Content Summit, to be held 24th November 2010.
Two Sides, the UK initiative to promote the responsible production and use of print and paper, and encourage its use as an attractive, practical and sustainable communications medium, has announced the addition of two UK representative bodies – PICON
H Bauer is promoting the current issue of Total TVguide (on sale 13 July for listings from 17th July) at 50p - half the regular retail price of the magazine.
Talking Issues, the producers of the audio edition of The Economist, has launched an audio edition of a leading US based parenting magazine, Mothering.
GamesMaster, the multi-format videogames magazine, serves up an extra dimension to its coverage of the world’s biggest games show, E3 – with its first-ever 3D issue.
In a ‘pioneering’ move, olive magazine has become the first BBC title to have a ‘reader generated’ issue.
Your News Industry, the dedicated newspaper and magazine feature area at last year’s CTN World, is returning to this year’s show, the NFRN has announced.
Egmont, the specialist children’s publisher, has announced the launch of the new Disney/Pixar Toy Story magazine.
Dinosaur King is a new one-shot from Signature Publishing, on sale from 23 July.
