More Value
Smart business people understand that success or failure depends almost entirely on the value that a company offers the consumer. One of the things I’ve tried to do with RodMaker Magazine is to offer my customers an unparalleled value.
Aside from constantly updating and improving the magazine, the recent move to a complete 4-color format aside, I have not increased the subscription rate in almost 6 years. This, even, in the face of no less than 4 postage increases during that same time period.
In 2007, each subscriber got a free decal featuring the International Custom Rod Building Symbol. I sprang for the good, heavy, 5-year vinyl, too.  This wasn’t done on the cheap.
For those who are able to travel, I added the RodMaker Reception back in 2005. This annual event is free for all RodMaker subscribers and their guests. It includes hearty hors d’oeuvres, liquid refreshments, and a ton of free door prizes. The 2010 prize list featured 75 items including rod lathes from Renzetti, Batson Enterprises, Pacific Bay and The Rod Shop (EcoWrapper). Again, the entire event and all its trimmings are free to RodMaker subscribers.
The 2010 International Custom Rod Building Exposition included an admission discount to all RodMaker subscribers – a $3 off coupon which knocked the admission fee down to just five bucks. I’ve always wanted to make the Expo completely free for my subscribers, but the overall cost of hosting and advertising the event has precluded that, so far. Still, it remains my goal and I hope to be able to do it for the 2011 event. And even if it remains impossible, at the very least RodMaker subscribers will be able to attend the Expo for the least amount at any time in Expo history. Stay tuned.
Tom Kirkman
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Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth but the magazine is already worth twice or more what you charge for it. Best info going. The Expo being only $8 or $10 to get in is worth ten times that amount easy. The free RM reception is icing on the cake. I eat $10 to $12 worth of food there and have won two prizes in the last four years worth about $150. I will take whatever you want to give but you already offer the greatest bang for the buck in the rod building world. No idea how you do it but I wish more companies would adopt your commitment to their customers.