DELAYS ARE COSTING PUBLISHERS
Every weekend I spend far too much time exploring the shelves of bookshops in Bangkok, not only to check my own magazine is being correctly displayed but also to see what's happening in the Thai magazine publishing world.
Last Saturday, November 1, I spotted just one monthly magazine with its November edition on sale. The majority were October editions with some even still displaying September covers.
When I first came to Thailand someone mentioned the a number of magazines will not print until they have enough advertising to cover the costs. At the time I thought that was crazy and unlikely, but I can tell you first hand that it's true.
I aim to have my own magazine on sale by 7th of each month. Subscribers should (Thai postal system allowing) get their copies before, but that still puts us in the first 10 per cent of magazines to appear each month.
The delays must be costing publishers revenue in terms of lost sales. Why would someone buy an October edition of one magazine when, right next to it, is the November edition of another?
2 comments:
It strikes me that magazine racks in Bangkok are often sheer chaos. I usually but Bangkok BigChilli when I'm in town and it can be difficult to find.
A few days ago there was only one copy left which surprised me. Then I noticed a huge pile of magazines under a table and there they were. Loads of current magazines not tting sold. It must be heartbreaking for the publishers.
For my own books there's a potential problem too and while they're well distributed in Thailand, sales must be lost with slow ordering.
If I find a shop and they're not in stock it either means they're flying off the shelves or nobody's bothered to re-order for ages.
Andrew Hicks
Thanks Andrew, a perfect opportunity for a blog posting reply to your commment.
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