I received this marketing idea from the publisher of Australian Family Tree Connections magazine and share it here for newsagent feedback and comment:
This year the month of August is being trialled as ‘National Family History Month’ (having previously been a week).
I’m not aware of other promotions newsagents might be running in August, but I believe it would be an excellent opportunity for Family History, Genealogy and Historical Societies (about 2,000+ Australia-wide) to get together with newsagents and help promote their History/Genealogy magazines section.
Societies are not-for-profit and rely on members to run successfully; their members are very knowledgeable.
The kind of co-operation I envisage is for newsagencies to feature their History/Genealogy magazine section for part (or all, for larger stores) of August, and for Societies to have 1-2 members and a card-sized table nearby to help customers with any queries they might have.
For eons, Societies have tended to be inward-looking so linking with local newsagents would connect them with their “outside world” and maybe pick up a few new members. For no cost, newsagents would have a visibly direct link with an interesting sector of the community.
A natural fit, but win-win? I have the contacts if you think it a worthwhile idea.
What do newsagents think?
SOUNDS GOOD TO ME
Sounds good to me too.
Would AFTC be able to put me in touch with somebody from Hervey Bay?
Sounds good to me too,we are in
As a new recruit to the world of Genealogy – I think it would be a great idea.
Allan @2 We certainly can, arranging it now.
i like the idea
Thanks AFTC.
My e-mail is eliwaters@newsxpress.com.au
Phone number is 0741940788
We would obviously have to arrange for more stock of your magazine to have in store for this promo as well.
Al
We’d be in on this (Mittagong NSW)
Allan @7 – emailing you with details of Hervey Bay group.
Re stock – we hope newsagents will promote their entire “Genealogy/History” magazine section during August, but would be happy to make sure you have a few extra copies of our magazine just in case!
Jenny @8 – that’s wonderful, can you email your contact details to our editor please?
That’s editor at aftc dot com dot au
Will do AFT
Jenny, thanks for your email, I will get back to you soon.
I hope more newsagents will get involved. Genealogy intersects with history (and often fans renewed interest with those who didn’t like it at school). It’s a very popular pastime with at least one person in every family tracing their family history!
Just as May is all about mothers and September all about fathers, August is about the whole family! Time to start dusting off the bunting!?!
shauns, DAVID, Nicole, rick, and anyone else – if you need assistance locating your local Family History, Genealogy or Historical Society, we will be happy to help “introduce” you . Please let us know where you are by emailing editor at aftc com au