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Post by lindamh on Nov 27, 2023 22:26:58 GMT
Catherine sent out an email today that SCT magazine would be cutting back to two issues a year, March and September. A short summary of her reasoning was this would allow them to focus more on education, citing the new one day classes and layout and stamping kits.
I was fine with cutting down on the large events, but I’m not happy with this decision and I’m wondering what direction they’re heading in from here.
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Post by grammadee on Nov 27, 2023 23:46:47 GMT
This makes me sad. I love flipping through the magazines again and again, but I realize that people are getting most of their inspiration on line rather than from printed materials. I have registered for the sketch class (I think that's the one) so not missing out totally on SCT fun.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
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Post by pinklady on Nov 28, 2023 0:52:59 GMT
I don’t read the magazine but all the scaling back that SCT is doing is concerning. I only know them thru the virtual events. I really hope those don’t go away permanently.
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Post by lindamh on Nov 28, 2023 1:03:30 GMT
I don’t read the magazine but all the scaling back that SCT is doing is concerning. I only know them thru the virtual events. I really hope those don’t go away permanently. I am feeling the same way. There's a lot of talk about doing more of what the customer wants and helping other scrapping companies which is all well and good, but you can't forget that you're a business first and foremost. All those good intentions are worthless if your company can't survive. I could be completely off base - SCT certainly has a dedicated following - but I'm wondering if this isn't their "jump the shark" moment. |
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Nov 28, 2023 1:52:31 GMT
IMO, I think they are scaling back due to what she said. Virtual classes are the thing since COVID, and print magazines have been on the way out for a while now. I mean how many articles can you write about scrapping or cardmaking? Especially since so much content is free on the 'net. And, even if it's an online magazine, someone still has to write article, proof, edit, create the layout and I don't know what else. Plus the online version is free. (Thank you SCT and Catherine) Maybe this is a good time for a rethink and reset for them since they've scaled back their big events.
Or I could be completely off base. haha
Personally, I'm not upset that the card event was scaled back to one per year. I just wish it was in spring not fall. Too many Winter/Christmas cards for me. I would prefer more birthday styles - masculine, kid, women, sassy. And, I'm over-flowing with product.
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Post by marg on Nov 28, 2023 2:24:47 GMT
I think they've overextended themselves these last few years. Their card event had 3400 people in the last one. Catherine and her team package everything on site. Just that one event alone is huge, but they do a total of 5, plus smaller events like the one-day Christmas card class last July, online classes, and kits. Plus the magazine. I don't know how they do it all with such a seemingly small team.
I'm assuming that Catherine and her husband had a discussion about what they wanted going forward, what they can handle, what's the most profitable, and came up with a business plan and are implementing it over the course of 2024.
I'm sad to see the magazine go to 2 issues per year - I think it is really important for working with their suppliers - the companies they work with all started off as advertisers in their magazine. I hope that scaling back the issues doesn't affect the relationship with the advertisers and hence the events, although I guess the events are profitable for the companies, as well as great marketing and exposure, so they'll stay on board. I hope so!
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Post by marie on Nov 28, 2023 4:46:00 GMT
I was disappointed reading that email, but I guess with so much content online now it makes sense for them.
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FurryP
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Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Nov 28, 2023 5:45:59 GMT
I've long been over no more SB magazines. Kind of glad about that because I don't need to be collecting any more things. So only 2 issues really does not affect me. Sorry for those that will miss the extra issues.
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Post by Night Owl on Nov 28, 2023 11:49:18 GMT
Kind of glad about that because I don't need to be collecting any more things They are free online, I admit I didn't buy the physical magazine I just read it online. |
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by kitbop on Nov 28, 2023 12:25:14 GMT
I am sad because I worry it signals a downturn (again) in our craft, but then I remind myself that I barely read them virtually OR IRL (I get them free with purchase from my LSS) and although they are beautiful: a) the advertising is old news because peas alert me to all the new stuff way before them; b) they can only print a limited number of layouts and examples. and you can't zoom in. Space is limited. Digitally we can find unlimited examples and examine details.
It was more of a flip through and done.
I want to see SCT succeed as we have very few sources anymore that aren't full on stores!
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FurryP
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Post by FurryP on Nov 28, 2023 14:24:42 GMT
Kind of glad about that because I don't need to be collecting any more things They are free online, I admit I didn't buy the physical magazine I just read it online. Oh I know, but grandmadee mentioned loving flipping through magazine. Guess I assumed she got the paper ones like SB.com gives away free? I think that is the one they give away. If I was reading them it would likely be the free ones, so actual paper. Online magazines are just not the same to me. I don't seek those out |
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ScrappingMe
Full Member
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Feb 3, 2023 2:05:16 GMT
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Post by ScrappingMe on Nov 28, 2023 19:05:33 GMT
Paper is expensive. I’m not sure if we still are in one, but there were shortages for quite some time during and post-Covid. Milling and production was getting crazy expensive. We have seen it in the price per sheet of scrapbook paper. For a “free” magazine, it’s hard to sustain the inflation and shortage issues. If that’s still the case.
Plus they need advertisers.
Plus they need paid subscribers who aren’t getting it free online or at SBC.
The magazine industry as a whole has been struggling for years and a niche magazine based on being mostly free is ESPECIALLY going to feel it.
Good on them for pivoting and recognizing the need to change before it’s too late.
The turn to focusing on what does work for them (education) is a smart move. The events got too big to manage so many a year so they’re scaling the number down. Good! Plus as consumers we can only do so many of those multiple hundred dollar events before we just… can’t. Either monetarily, physically, stash wise or a combo. I know I can’t keep up with doing 4-5 a year. Plus they have competition from other online events and companies now too. I can do smaller one day or kit based things easier with 1-2 big events thrown in. That is more sustainable for me as a customer long term.
I actually think they have a pretty great pulse on the market.
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Post by riversong1963 on Nov 30, 2023 11:34:02 GMT
I download them and read them on my iPad. I don't think I even finished reading the last one, so 2 a year will be more than enough for me. As with all the other scrapbooking magazines and crafting companies, you see the same people over and over. Same writers, same designers, same, same, same. Even if they are "new," they are on multiple design teams and staffs, and they are everywhere.
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ScrappingMe
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Feb 3, 2023 2:05:16 GMT
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Post by ScrappingMe on Nov 30, 2023 20:47:23 GMT
I download them and read them on my iPad. I don't think I even finished reading the last one, so 2 a year will be more than enough for me. As with all the other scrapbooking magazines and crafting companies, you see the same people over and over. Same writers, same designers, same, same, same. Even if they are "new," they are on multiple design teams and staffs, and they are everywhere. I agree that it’s the same handful of folks over and over. And a lot of those styles already look so similar! |
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