I like Alpha. It’s a quality magazine. Even though issue 4 is smaller it’s remains a good read and worth paying for. My frustration is the sales mechanic. Requiring a customer to opurchase the Herald Sun (in Melbourne) leads to frustrated customers. As noted here previously if I were in charge I’d make some changes:
Increase the cover price to $6.95 – the quality of the product supports such a price.
Include teaser articles some of the features in the News Ltd newspapers with a coupon at the bottom of the article encouraging an Alpha purchase for $2.00 off.
Offer a competition entry with purchase of the magazine and promote this on the coupon in the newspaper. Maybe a car giveaway each issue or a holiday or a hit out with a tennis star or a training run with a footy club.
Based on what I see cross the counter I am certain that these changes would boost sales of Alpha.