Blog posts here are conversations. I’ll publish a post and people, sometimes many people, comment on this and, from time to time extend the post into new areas.
The first comment posted by someone is moderated and from then on their comments are published immediately. People are responsible for their own comments.
The openness of this place means we need to be respectful the opinions of others and their right to their opinion.
Some people get grumpy when I publish something with which they disagree. The grumpiest responses are sent by email or a call. Some think that because this place is public I should write what they think and not what I think. It all makes for colourful conversations about ownership of opinions.
When I started blogging in January 2005 I didn’t know if there would be much interest in matters affecting newsagents. Today, 6,226 posts and 12,364 comments on and 1,500+ visitors a day, I have the answer.
Our channel is important to Australians, suppliers and the families of newsagents and employees. Hopefully, this place plays role in helping define the relevance of the Australian newsagency.
Let the conversations continue.
Mark
We read this site daily. We have spoken to other newagents and they are the same. Thanks for providing us with such a fantastic tool. Cheers
I think it great we can see how others do bussiness and get some ideas on how to improve ours Thanks Mark
I love it!! Being new to the industry it is good to be able to ask questions and get answers that are backed by actual industry experience.
The examples of displays and information on what is going in the industry is invaluable information and I am not sure where it could be sourced from if not for this site.
….And I get a good chuckle over the “discussions of difference in opinion”!!
Keep up the good work!!
‘B’
It would be nice if you used your real name please as it seems to irritate Warrick, Michael and Shane and that is the last thing we want on such a great site that Mark has created.
We have also found this blog very helpful, particularly since we were pretty much chucked in at the deep end. Given how unhelpful (in one case, downright obstructive) certain major suppliers had been at the start, this blog has been one of the best things we’ve found by accident.
As for opinions, we all have them, and sometimes the opportunity to have a wee rant is too good to resist. Guilty – but at least we try not to be rudely disrespectful personally.
And about anonymity, there are some here who know who and where we are. That doesn’t mean we lack courage in terms of not necessarily wanting EVERYONE to know our business. It’s just not relevant. Besides, the owner of the blog knows who we are, because at least we use our business email as the identifier, rather than a generic gmail or hotmail account for blogging purposes.
On top of that, some of us are still new to the industry, and still sorting out just where any new directions our businesses may go. In such instances, some anonymity in terms of suppliers is prudent.
As said before, in the process of all the above, again thanks for this forum. Even those who chime in with smartarse stuff clearly get something out of it. We wouldn’t hear from them if they didn’t.
cheers
Y&G
Australia
My real name is Belinda however people call me B, that is how I am known and prefered to be called. If it upsets the others then so be it!! That’s my name!!
How very Gossip Girl of you B 😉
Hi Mark,
The interest is far ranging. Although what I write about is somewhat on the periphery of what you cover, I’m always interested to read what you say, precisely because you do express an opinion.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
Hi Mark,can you explain to me how newspapers will make their money when they go online rather than hard copie? I thought they made their money from advertisers promoting their products in the paper. Will people be bothered to buy news on line when other sites will have that news for free. eg The Advertiser in Adelaide is the only major newspaper but I dont need them to look up real estate,car sales,careers and the latest news on line etc so how will they make their money when most advertisers have their own sites? I like to brows through the news paper and share it with my partner in the morning and does it mean the people who arent internet savvie dont get to read a hard copy of the daily news anymore.
Regards
Annie
Annie, I think you’d prefer a newpspaer publisher to answre that question. That said, there are advertising supported models as well as other paid model plans.
But I can’t find a way to create a new thread/reply in a category as I wish to ask questions
The blog is an interesting read (even for those whom it doesn’t affect directly.)
Mark, what happened to the forum that was in-works? Or is it up and running already?