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.
According to the latest quarterly Digital Publishers Revenue Index from the AOP and Deloitte, 78% of digital publishers view advertising revenue growth as a high strategic priority across the next year.
What’s the outlook for the consumer media sector in 2021? DC Thomson Media’s Sally Hampton looks into the future.
Publishing companies have been impacted hugely by the ongoing Covid pandemic. Gavin Miller, MD of Ultima Media, looks at some of the business management imperatives that will help publishers navigate their way out of this crisis.
Consumer magazine media has a bright future, James Wildman tells Meg Carter, because of the substantial opportunities to build new revenue streams on the back of deep reader engagement.
Bicycles might have been around for 200 years but they are still in fashion for exercise, transport and fun. Alan Geere takes a tour round the cycling magazines on offer.
Podcasting is an incredibly intimate medium that can add an exciting new dimension to your output. But, writes Meg Carter, you need to set realistic expectations and plan properly.
As a professional publisher of a traditionally printed brand, you will need to quickly adjust to a new landscape if you’ve suddenly found yourself focused on or even fully pivoting to a digital distribution strategy.
The pandemic has accelerated the need for digital transformation. And going digital can bring cost savings and new revenue, writes Full Fat Things’ Stewart Robinson.
What’s the outlook for B2B media in 2021? One thing that publishers should not be expecting, writes Colin Morrison, is any return to “normal”.
Incisive Media’ flagship financial brand Investment Week has expanded its Select event format into Italy with the launch of Select Italia.
Cyclist, Dennis’ monthly magazine for people who are passionate about road cycling, has launched a competition for readers to design their own cycling jersey.
First year under new ownership, Western Business Media claims to have had a “phenomenal” 2020, despite you know what…
MPP Global and Agillic are partnering to provide what they say will be a comprehensive, end-to-end subscription solution.
AgriBriefing, a leading agribusiness price reporting, information, market data and intelligence company has announced the acquisition of Tallage SAS.
Incisive Media is to present the first Cyber Security Festival, taking place this summer over three days: Wednesday 16th, 23rd, and 30th of June.
