Across the country, people are questioning the value of the printed word. Most newspapers are hemorrhaging red ink. General readership magazines are folding. Trade publications are experiencing severe reductions in advertising revenue, necessitating salary reductions, page reductions, and job eliminations. Some people claim that the internet has replaced ink on paper and that publishing is the new buggy whip industry.

The business model for publishers is conceptually simple, you find a group of people with common interests, find people to write articles that will interest that group of people and then sell advertising space to firms that want to reach that group of people, ---and nothing could be simpler, right?

Like most publications, our advertising revenue is down a bit, but not as much as we feared. Our circulation has remained high; although there has been churning as new people enter and some exit the industry. We are still going strong, and we are paying attention.

So what is the Slippery Rock Gazette doing in the face of the new reality? Well, for starters we started publishing the Braxton-Bragg Courier, an e-newsletter, a few months ago. We are updating the search function of our website, www.slipperyrockgazette.net, and we are sending email blasts highlighting new products. We have also enhanced our paper with a UV coating to improve readability and added four additional pages of coated paper to improve photo reproduction. We have also added new writers. We are including more photographs and have tried to find subjects that are of interest to our readers.

Are we providing value to our readers and our advertisers? Well, the measurements are readership and advertising revenue. In the near future, you may receive a postcard asking you to confirm your desire to continue receiving the Slippery Rock Gazette by registering on our website. If you enjoy the Slippery Rock Gazette, then tell us by signing up, if you think the printed word is an anachronism, send us an email and we will take you off the circulation list.

Time will tell if publications are relegated to museums. There are several fine publications in this industry and we hope that they all survive. If you enjoy a publication, tell their advertisers. If you do not, then write a letter to the editor. I hope you enjoy this issue.

Thanks for reading,

Rich Hassert

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