[Shannon]

Hello All,

I received an email from a subscriber stating that he felt the last two issues had too many ads and that the issues keep getting thinner. Well we've been at 96 pages as long as I can remember and I went back and actually counted the ads in the last 6 issues. The last two issues actually had fewer ads in them than the previous 4 issues. I have been asking our designer to group the ads at the beginning and end of the magazine so that the "editorial well" or meat of the magazine is not interrupted by advertisements. Do you think that grouping of ads helps or hurts? I'd love to hear your opinions on ad to editorial ratio.

[Arnold Smith]

I enjoy looking at the ads to. I like it all. keep up the good work.

Arnold

[Micky]

I enjoy looking at the ads, and I really prefer them grouped together the way you have them now. Grouping lets me compare what the companies have to offer, but does not distract me from an article I am reading. I often overlook Ads that are interspersed between the articles as I skip over them to finish an article. So this may also be a win for the advertisers.
Just my two cents--hope it helps
micky

[mikeg]

I like the way they've been the last couple of issues as well.

mikeg

[mdallensr]

I don't have a problem with the ads. First, they are mostly for things I care about and want to know about. Second, I know they help pay for the magazine. I do like to be able to open a magazine and get right to the Table of Contents without wading through pages of ads. I also like the table of contents to relate clearly to the features on the cover. It seems some magazines force the reader to search for the feature that grabbed their attention on the cover. I think WCI does what I care about better than most other magazines I see.

Today, I went to the library to look in Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report for their articles on college rankings. Huge banners on the covers; articles burried inside.

[Mitchell]

I have not really noticed any problem with the number of ads.

The one thing I HATE with some magazines are inserts.....not that that has been a problem you WCI.

[Nancy_G]

What most of the others wrote is my reply too -except- I don't mind at all how the ads are grouped or not because I LIKE woodcarving ads and I read almost all of them.

[Kenny_S]

I like the Groupings of ads in the last two issues better than before.

Shannon, you and your staff are doing on fantastic job. I salute you and your small staff!

[Ron D]

i say keep them the way they are too.just like everyone else said i like reading them too
ron

[Claude]

I prefer the ads grouped front and back, just as you are doing now. Remind the advertisers that we're all looking at all the ads to see if you hid that blasted fox in one of them.

Oh, and ask Sugar Pine to re-shoot the photo with the two people wearing a glove and thumb protector! If they want me to buy anything from them, they'd better show more emphasis on safety.

Claude