Specialist Media Show * Exhibition * Workshops * Conference * Intelligence * Networking * 24 May 2012 ThinkTank Birmingham

In the Specialist Media Insight research earlier this year, we asked 130 publishers what they saw as their biggest opportunities and challenges.  This provides a unique insight into how specialist media owners see the world right now.  

Whilst they can glimpse the potential of digital platforms, online interaction, repackaging content and enhanced ad propositions, there is still a fear of new competitors, making the wrong technology choices, and traditional revenues evaporating before digital grows to replace them.  Plus a real skills gap especially in sales and technology. 

Successful specialist publishing businesses are built around a niche community.  Both consumer and business publishers have always run live events for their readers, and many have had lively letters pages or forums.  But as digital media bring communities of interest closer even across geographical boundaries, so publishers have become more focussed on nurturing their online communities and developing live events. 

In b2b in particular, events are one of the revenue streams expected to grow in the next two years, potentially exceeding print circulation, according to the 2013 Specialist Media Insights research.  Even consumer publishers are developing more live events, and social media is becoming an important source of web traffic, data and insight.

One of the fastest growing revenue sources for publishers is paid online content. But as a new publishing and marketing discipline, it is hard to know how well you are doing and what is best practice.

US based Subscription Site Insider has researched over 130 subs site execs and compiled a benchmark report on the results.  Here are some of their findings and info on how you can get a copy of the full report.

How are other publishers tackling digital media?  There’s some fascinating insights already from the 2013 Specialist Media Insights research.  The survey is still live, but here are key findings from the 140 publishers who have completed so far.  You can still take part and receive a free copy of the results:

Take part in online survey now

How are other niche publishers taking their content and audiences onto the web, mobile devices and what are their plans for events and ecommerce?

In 2012 we polled over 160 specialist media businesses and learnt about how the shape of their business is changing.  Here's the highlights plus news of how you can influence the questions in the 2013 Specialist Media Insights survey.

Have we reached a tipping point for digital publishing?  Initial stats from the first week of the Specialist Media Insights 2012 research indicate that publishers are rapidly adopting digital media, and are becoming more confident in charging a reasonable rate for online subs and mobile editions.

How many specialist media businesses already have or are planning an app, and for which platforms?

Are consumer and b2b publishers charging for online content and what rates are they achieving?

Is social media starting to have a measurable impact on traffic, commercial revenues or subs and event sales?

How many specialist media businesses are planning to publish on e-readers?

Are consumer and b2b publishers maintaining print prices on the app store or are they discounting?

What proportion of downloads are non-UK?

How many niche media businesses are planning to run live and digital events, webinars and networking?

How do specialist publishers think their revenue split will change: between print, web, mobile and events?

What are the big strategic opportunities and challenges for independent media businesses?

Graduates from the University of Leicester interviewed visitors at the show to find out their views on digital media and why they had come. Visitors are aware of the speed of change and the challenges it brings, and wanted to stay informed and meet others in a similar situation.

Magazine publishers are wrestling with the decision of when to put their content online or on mobile devices. In this video Prof Barrie Gunter discusses what could help with that decision.

Consumer and business to business publishers are both grappling with digital media, but their emphasis is very different, according to a survey of 200 publishers commissioned for the Specialist Media Show.

Forget the speculation about paid content; where are the hard facts on what publishers are charging for right now? Our recent research polled 200 publishers on their activity in paid online content, digital editions, mobile apps, tablets and digital archives...

Our recent survey of publishers shows adoption of mobile apps at tipping point, but other research shows readers want print as well. Prof Barrie Gunter of University of Leicester suggests publishers hedge their bets.

Specialist publishers are actively planning live events as extensions of their media brands - and are already experimenting with online networking, webinars and virtual events, our new research finds.

Just in are the top-line results from our survey of around 200 publishers polling their views on paid online content, live events, apps, digital editions and social media and how all these new media channels will expand their brands.