Summary: Magazines will occupy a shrinking place in the public’s reading habits, but there are still opportunities. This article outlines how to find those niches. Bo Sacks distributed an article about how magazines could thrive in the digital age, which got me thinking about that subject. I have some clients who publish magazines, so it’s…
BoSacks makes some very good points about print magazines The whole “print is dead” mantra is misguided. I’ll include a link or two to some things I’ve written about that at the end of this article. We are clearly experiencing a transition from print to digital. The question is whether it will be a complete…
Summary: The article discusses the value of questions in social media and AI interaction. The author shares experiences with ChatGPT, both its capabilities and limitations, and reflects on an essay by unCharles about the hierarchy of social media engagement—likes, comments, and questions, with questions ranked highest due to their interactive nature. Questions reveal much about…
Summary: This article discusses the low trust in media, identifying the root problem as not solely related to AI, but because of a lack of viewpoint diversity at media companies. The article concludes that media outlets knowingly cater to audience biases, meaning the problem isn’t just a lack of trust, but also a market-driven preference…
Summary: In his article on A/B testing, Sascha Bossen emphasizes monitoring the novelty effect, ensuring statistical significance in test groups, focusing on one KPI per test, and using usability testing when traffic is low. Additional advice includes avoiding prolonged tests, not getting overwhelmed by uncontrollable variables, and mimicking successful companies like Amazon. A/B testing can…
Summary: The print to digital transformation in publishing led to a decline in the quality of content as publishers pursued reach and traffic. AI threatens to accelerate that decline. Publishers need to stop and think about the future of their industry and how to arrest this decline in quality. Bo Sacks visits my inbox every…
Summary: The article discusses the challenges publishers face in a rapidly evolving content landscape. With diverse formats, platforms, and audience preferences, creators must adapt to text, video, audio, quizzes, and more across various devices and social media. The complexity includes the personality traits of the reader, payment options, and location. To navigate this chaos, the…
Summary: Chris Adams argues for a makeover in B2B marketing, emphasizing that B2B purchasers are individuals with emotions and preferences, akin to B2C customers. But B2B and B2C have important differences. B2B purchasers are just people like everyone else. So why do we treat them differently? Yesterday, Bo Sacks posted an article by Chris Adams…
Summary: The article discusses the benefits and challenges of personalization. While personalized content, like using a person’s name in an email, is effective, excessive personalization can raise privacy concerns and discomfort. The article questions the reliability of data, clashes with user preferences, and the potential negative effects of perfect personalization. It suggests users may prefer…
Summary: The article criticizes Google’s transformative shift in how it utilizes content by directly displaying answers on search engine results pages. The author argues that Google is no longer facilitating content discovery but replacing publishers without their consent. This change negatively impacts publishers as users are less likely to visit their sites, and copyrighted material…
Summary: Discover key insights from the Global Media Congress in Abu Dhabi, covering content ideation tools, the evolving landscape of communication preferences, the rising importance of video, tools for video optimization, measuring influence over influencers, and trends like the merging of physical and digital realms. Explore perspectives on AI security, combating disinformation, and the significance…
Summary: Prehistoric cave art shows the human instinct to create. Tens of thousands of years ago, our ancestors made art in hard-to-reach places, illustrating the enduring desire to express themselves. In this light, should AI be seen as a tool rather than a threat? Can businesses, including publishing, help customers harness AI to create unique…
Summary: Google is offering to cover legal costs for AI users facing copyright lawsuits, sparking speculation about its motives. Some believe Google’s confidence in winning lawsuits or legislative support drives this, while Dominic Young sees it as a game of chicken. Another perspective suggests that Google’s mission to make information universally accessible challenges copyright and…
Summary: What are the best engagement metrics for subscription models? This article emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between content engagement and propensity to subscribe, with actions like e-newsletter sign-ups and registration being key. Exposing readers to diverse topics and authors is encouraged, along with increasing time spent on the platform. The ultimate goal is to…
Here’s my summary of a very interesting talk by Roger Martin on Harvard Business Review. He raises the question, “what is the difference between planning and strategy?” Strategy, he says, is 1. an integrated set of choices 2. that position you on a playing field of your choice 3. in a way that you win….