As the INSIDER Guide to New Product Development (NPD), I’m constantly keeping an eye out for bite-size information that will help you develop and scale better subscription products.  Here’s my “Five on Friday” compilation for March 18, featuring the five best trends, tips, quotes or stats from my reading this week.    

1. Are Scents the Competitive Advantage Print Media’s Been Searching For?

While print magazine subscriptions have been on the decline for over a decade, a recent uptick is being explained by the addition of complementary scents to the pages of each issue. The new Lavender and Lace Monthly magazine, devoted to all things Victorian era, scents articles with essence of watercress, credenza dust, and, of course, lavender. Another example, published by MT Publications, is StinkeeTime, a line of serialized stories in print form for the YA market, specifically targeted at boys. “The sports stories will reek of dirty socks, the outdoor adventures of dead squirrel” says CEO Jack Asimov, “what 14-year-old boy won’t love that?”

2. New “Chicken of the Month” Subscription Interesting to Chicken Keeper 

The subscription-box revenue model continues to grow, with new entrants pushing the boundaries with unique product offerings.  The latest to come to Subscription Insider’s attention is CheepBox, a subscription for urban chicken-keepers who struggle to find unique live birds in their area.

“It can be tough finding a Golden Polish or Silkie Bantam here in Austin” says local chicken-keeper Liz Peeper, “CheepBox sends them right to my doorstep!” However, the business is still working out some growing pains. “Returns continue to be problematic,” states product manager David Feathers, “but we’re launching a Recipe of the Month add-on to the subscription that shows great promise.”

3. Subscription Business Tips from Average Joes (and Janes)

Subscription Insider is always looking for indications of what’s on the horizon for the industry, and a recent research initiative proved especially fruitful.  Over the course of 10 minutes one morning last week, no fewer than 23 individuals walking in to (or out of) a local Denny’s were surveyed to gather suggestions on the next best direction for subscription businesses.  The data collected will be analyzed and delivered in a white paper one year from today.  For now, my top three insights include:

• “Give away more free stuff. And get rid of ads.”

• “What about a Money of the Month club!”

• “Tell me more about those chickens…”

4. Noted Medical Journal to Include More Pictures ‘n Stuff

Citing an effort to increase consumer subscription to top medical journals, Dr. Alamande Lefft, editor of the prestigious Nasal Daily, has announced an increase in pages for the journal to add more illustrations, a cartoon section and crossword puzzle. “The cartoons will be contests in which our new readers can compete to add a tagline to an existing image” says Lefft, who adds that the contests will focus on sneeze humor.  Sign up for a free issue here.

5. News Outlet Launches with the Strategy “All the News That Didn’t Fit in The New York Times“

The latest entrant in the online news market, The Other Times, is focused on publishing news specifically rejected by national newspaper of record The New York Times.  While this tactic assures The Other Times a steady stream of content, the strategy could backfire.  Research is beginning to uncover indications of news overload.  Consider the quote below from a recent study:

Enjoy April Fool’s Day, and have a great weekend.

Diane

Diane Pierson has deep experience in product management and marketing, having delivered results to companies including Dun & Bradstreet, LexisNexis, American Lawyer Media and Copyright Clearance Center. She has built products & services that have delivered over $100 million in revenue and knows what works, and what doesn’t, when executing product plans and strategies. She is also a contributor to Subscription Insider. (Read Diane’s full Bio)