Almost a year ago, I wrote a column explaining how publishers live in a world of numbers. As a credit union executive, your numbers are designed to show how your business is pacing and help identify trouble if the ranges get of synch.
As a publishing exec, my numbers not only show my business valuation. but they tell a story. These numbers show if our editorial content is on track, if our advertisers are seeing response and if new media is resonating with our younger readers. And like most numbers, there is often good news and bad news.
I like showing bad news first. We are getting older and the younger generations are taking over the business. Yes, as hard as it is to believe, we are getting older every year, and our succession planning is working just as it should. CEO and senior executive retirements are up and new blood is coming into the C-suite.
So how do I react to this insightful knowledge as a publisher? How will this nugget help me build my business and maintain share of readership? Instead of wishing I was 35 again, I look at the 20- and 30-something readers with the same value we place on all age groups. We put social media in our mix and make a concerted effort to address the needs of digital media readers.
As of yesterday, March 1, you should have noticed a new Web interface on www.cutimes.com.
This is a news-centric site designed to provide more news and more updates than ever before. The marketing messages are unobtrusive, yet effective.
The redesigned site makes news searches faster and more relevant. The reduced advertising inventory puts more emphasis on news.
Google Analytics, an important tool for benchmarking website traffic, indicates our 50,000+ unique visitors per month generated 27% more page views, 26% more time on the site and 9% more total visits than in the same 30 days in 2010. This is due to your need for news and understanding where to get it.
So what’s new for 2011? Sarah Cooke’s blog page is growing stronger. Check out the Blog Talk Radio program every Tuesday at noon. Are you a techie? You will enjoy The CUTting Edge, our new monthly technology e-newsletter. Our Daily News Alerts, Breaking News Alerts, Conference News Alerts and e-Blasts continue to keep you informed every day.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Credit Union Leadership Forum, a joint venture with Stuart Levine and Associates designed to strengthen boards of directors by providing unique learning opportunities that ensure credit union stability and growth. You can find more about this forum on our home page.
Thank you for keeping Credit Union Times on top.
