Josh, it looks like if you set up a category for a weekly roundup, folks could subscribe just to that. You might have to manually add the cross references in that post to things published over the course of the week, but that would probably function. As you're developing your tips, you might consider also encouraging folks to use the built-in features to share links to relevant free articles outside of the community. Back in the day, I would frequently hand a print copy to a friend at the marina when there was something that might interest them. Doing the same here might help continue to expand the readership
Josh, you might consider sending this "Substack how to" annually and automatically to new subscribers. While I'm a print guy myself, a dinosaur, perhaps, I do understand the need to go digital and am glad to be able to get your content while cruising. I think it is REALLY important to figure out how to support advertisers. Highlighting their work is a great idea, but enabling them to advertise is also important, perhaps even more so.
I too will echo missing the advertisements. Reading over the last print edition, I decided on a lark to go check out Dudley Dix's designs when I came across his ad, and to my surprise I think I might have found the next boat build!
One question - are you planning on (I imagine slowly over time) digitizing past articles and making them available online for searching? That alone would be worth the subscription, let alone new content.
I second this, as well as just improving overall searchability. When using digital formats for anything, I prefer to use the app for quick access and avoiding having to sign in to a website. Yet, the app is not really set up for quick searches from what I can tell (not really an SCA thing, more of a Substack issue). Being able to keyword/scan quickly is critical with digital formats.
Some people are never satisfied. A common complaint I saw in the letters to the editor was having to wait two months until the next issue. Now that we are getting an almost constant flow of articles you say there are complaints about that. Personally, I like the increased frequency.
BTW, I was able to create a file folder in my email folder I have labeled "Small Craft Advisor" for some reason! I then save the email from Substack into that folder and like any email I can print it out.
Thanks for pointing out the possibility of turning off the emails! I’m not going to do it, right now, at least, but I didn’t know that it was possible!
I am enjoying the digital format much more than I thought I would. I really enjoyed getting the magazine however getting frequent e-mails has been great. As you mentioned when you first introduced this format no more waiting month to month. One quick question, in the past I would save some articles of interest. With the new format I have tried to save and print but without success. It seems I save it but when I go to print it shows “page not found.” Any suggestions , as printing and storing in a binder would be most helpful. Thanks. Love what you are doing.
Thanks, Michael. A few options: I find I can print Substack articles and the formatting is actually pretty good. Not sure why you see "page not found." I just open the article at the SCA Substack page and print. Another option would be to "print" but select "PDF" in your printer settings. This should save a readable PDF for offline viewing, archiving, etc. Finally, you can of course "bookmark" any articles you care to get back to.
While searching the webs for some older information on Rees Prins, I found you had gone digital, and subscribed immediately. Great start on the new format, and I wish you much success moving forward. Perhaps some of the former advertisers can submit their product info in the form of articles with links.
Well, I'm still cranky about the end of the print version and find the generic formatting on the digital site unsatisfactory. Still, I see some of the advantages - ability to save articles and search them easily, unlimited and readily accessible comments, etc.
One suggestion though...Might you consider throwing us old-school print lovers a bone and continue publishing one paper print edition a year still? I, for one, would happily pay a good deal more annually if I was getting at least one traditional edition still. You might even be able to cover costs with a premium price tier, but even if not, it might be worth it as a loss-leader to drive traffic to the digital site. It would give people something to pass around at stores and marinas and share with friends.
I again refer you to the Bicycle Quarterly publication out of Seattle, which has steadfastly maintained its print edition for a niche of contrary and vintage bicycle enthusiasts, which bears a similarity to our boat niche. I don't know its economics and I suspect it is a loss-leader for BQ's high end specialized bike parts business. But it might be worth a call to Jan Heine who publishes it to see how he makes it work.
Thanks, Max. Yes, we hope to archive the old print editions as PDFs and make them available to subscribers at some point in the future.
Josh, it looks like if you set up a category for a weekly roundup, folks could subscribe just to that. You might have to manually add the cross references in that post to things published over the course of the week, but that would probably function. As you're developing your tips, you might consider also encouraging folks to use the built-in features to share links to relevant free articles outside of the community. Back in the day, I would frequently hand a print copy to a friend at the marina when there was something that might interest them. Doing the same here might help continue to expand the readership
Josh, you might consider sending this "Substack how to" annually and automatically to new subscribers. While I'm a print guy myself, a dinosaur, perhaps, I do understand the need to go digital and am glad to be able to get your content while cruising. I think it is REALLY important to figure out how to support advertisers. Highlighting their work is a great idea, but enabling them to advertise is also important, perhaps even more so.
I too will echo missing the advertisements. Reading over the last print edition, I decided on a lark to go check out Dudley Dix's designs when I came across his ad, and to my surprise I think I might have found the next boat build!
One question - are you planning on (I imagine slowly over time) digitizing past articles and making them available online for searching? That alone would be worth the subscription, let alone new content.
Thanks!
I second this, as well as just improving overall searchability. When using digital formats for anything, I prefer to use the app for quick access and avoiding having to sign in to a website. Yet, the app is not really set up for quick searches from what I can tell (not really an SCA thing, more of a Substack issue). Being able to keyword/scan quickly is critical with digital formats.
Some people are never satisfied. A common complaint I saw in the letters to the editor was having to wait two months until the next issue. Now that we are getting an almost constant flow of articles you say there are complaints about that. Personally, I like the increased frequency.
BTW, I was able to create a file folder in my email folder I have labeled "Small Craft Advisor" for some reason! I then save the email from Substack into that folder and like any email I can print it out.
Thanks for pointing out the possibility of turning off the emails! I’m not going to do it, right now, at least, but I didn’t know that it was possible!
I am enjoying the digital format much more than I thought I would. I really enjoyed getting the magazine however getting frequent e-mails has been great. As you mentioned when you first introduced this format no more waiting month to month. One quick question, in the past I would save some articles of interest. With the new format I have tried to save and print but without success. It seems I save it but when I go to print it shows “page not found.” Any suggestions , as printing and storing in a binder would be most helpful. Thanks. Love what you are doing.
Thanks, Michael. A few options: I find I can print Substack articles and the formatting is actually pretty good. Not sure why you see "page not found." I just open the article at the SCA Substack page and print. Another option would be to "print" but select "PDF" in your printer settings. This should save a readable PDF for offline viewing, archiving, etc. Finally, you can of course "bookmark" any articles you care to get back to.
Hi Ken. Yes, I think that's the workaround. We just need to sort out the details. Thank for feedback.
While searching the webs for some older information on Rees Prins, I found you had gone digital, and subscribed immediately. Great start on the new format, and I wish you much success moving forward. Perhaps some of the former advertisers can submit their product info in the form of articles with links.
Well, I'm still cranky about the end of the print version and find the generic formatting on the digital site unsatisfactory. Still, I see some of the advantages - ability to save articles and search them easily, unlimited and readily accessible comments, etc.
One suggestion though...Might you consider throwing us old-school print lovers a bone and continue publishing one paper print edition a year still? I, for one, would happily pay a good deal more annually if I was getting at least one traditional edition still. You might even be able to cover costs with a premium price tier, but even if not, it might be worth it as a loss-leader to drive traffic to the digital site. It would give people something to pass around at stores and marinas and share with friends.
I again refer you to the Bicycle Quarterly publication out of Seattle, which has steadfastly maintained its print edition for a niche of contrary and vintage bicycle enthusiasts, which bears a similarity to our boat niche. I don't know its economics and I suspect it is a loss-leader for BQ's high end specialized bike parts business. But it might be worth a call to Jan Heine who publishes it to see how he makes it work.