Jonesy's World: Attack of the Killer Team of Columnists!

Jonesy's World: Attack of the Killer Team of Columnists!: "Feedback is a wonderful thing...and we get lots of it. It's not unusual to get a pile of e-mails whenever we run an interesting piece about ..."

Using the iPad at Trade Shows

We're in the midst of turf trade show season and more folks are getting iPads. Here's a very good article from the folks at Lessing-Flynn (who handle Standard Golf's marketing) about using iPads at trade shows.

How the Apple iPad Can Transform Your Tradeshow


BTW, this is a good blog to follow for all of us in the marketing business.

Jonesy's World: Trade Show Survival Tip of the Day

Jonesy's World: Trade Show Survival Tip of the Day: "Our good friend and colleague Kevin Gilbride suggested this to me a few years back and I've become a big proponent of it: When your feet ar..."

The Trade Show Blues

A number of suppliers have asked about my recent column on why golf/turf trade shows are hurting. Here's the column: The Cash Cow -- R.I.P.?

Discuss amongst yourselves!

Blogging for Fun & Profit



The super-rare alternate version of the GCI Kaminski cover!



I know many industry companies are blogging or considering blogging as a way to reach and build relationships with customers. Here's a good resource to keep your corporate blog focused:

 WRITING ON THE WEB

As for the specifics of blogging for superintendents, a few thoughts:

1. Don't expect them to "follow" you. Find a way to push the blog posts out to them through customer e-mail lists or other means.

2. Be short and specific.

3. Post things they can repost on their blogs or otherwise use to communicate with their staff and customers.

Blogging is catching fire among savvy superintendents who recognize that it is quite simply the best way ever invented to communicate with golfers. Be savvy with your social media and you can ride that trend to success.

Reason #975 No One Believes Readership Studies Any More

A friend forwarded this lovely golf/turf magazine online readership study (below) fielded by what appears to be an "independent" research concern. Curiously, the domain name for IECSC Research takes you to the home page for the International Esthetics, Cosmetics and Spa Conference group. Why, you ask, would a group devoted to facial creams, mud baths and eyeliners be interested in the magazines in our happy little industry? Because the IECSC is owned by Questex Media which owns Golfdom.

Seriously? As the Wizard of Oz said, "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"

Look, I've seen all the real independent research on readership, editorial quality, editorial leadership, etc., among golf magazines. Here's the bottom line: GCM is still the "most useful" and "best read" magazine because superintendents view it as their official publication. But, GCI is clearly number two with a bullet and we beat GCM in "readability" and "best editorial mix" and several other categories every time. Beyond that, there's a large -- and growing -- chasm between the top two magazines in the industry and the rest. That, friends, is the plain truth.

So, while we're growing our ad base dramatically, producing a killer print product, investing in quality circulation, expanding our editorial staff, giving voice to amazing columnists, launching a world-class website, airing cool videos and providing social media coverage on Facebook and Twitter every day, they are fielding a faux readership study. Hope that works out for them... 


From: IECSC Research



To: XXXXXXXX

Sent: Tue, January 25, 2011 12:15:23 PM


Subject: We Need Your Help with a Golf and Turf Magazine Survey


Hello:


We'd like to learn what you think about the golf and turf magazines you receive. Which ones do you really like? What other types of information do you use to help you do your job? If you'll take a few minutes to click on the link below and give us your thoughts, we'll enter you into a drawing for the chance to win one of three $100 gift cards. You can use it for yourself or to buy lunch for your crew.






Click on the link below to begin. Thanks in advance for your participation.


Bobbi Ware


IECSC Research Department

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/U2HGL2E2JUDD

More on the GCI iPhone/iPad App

Best toy ever!

I just checked and, thus far, 2,689 of your customers have downloaded the GCI app since we introduced it last year.

That's damn good considering that represents about 10 percent of our total circulation of 28,500 superintendents and other industry folks. But, only about 4 percent of Americans own an iPhone and/or iPad, so that suggests we have a higher-than-average share of iGeeks in this market. So much for the "grass monkey" myth, huh?

By the way, you can also get the app for our sister publication, Lawn & Landscape, and keep up with your non-golf turf and ornamental information needs as well. Download that one here.