Volume 3, No. 15. August 8,2003
Eric's Turn
A
new charter
We won’t pussyfoot around: THE LOOP is going to paid subscriptions. The
cost is only $22 per year, less than $1 per issue. Plus, subscribers will get
exclusive access to our Reading Room, which will feature every month a new selection
of guides and checklists for operating and marketing amusement parks, zoos and
waterparks.
From the beginning, we have intended THE LOOP to be a free service for the amusement
industry. Advertising was to pay its way. Despite THE LOOP’s rising popularity—each
issue now averages 8,000 visits (16,000 per month), the May 23 issue drew 12,000
visitors, and the number of visits has more than doubled in the past year—we
have not been able to secure adequate advertising dollars.
The move to paid subscriptions also comes at the behest of some of our readers.
They want to see THE LOOP continue, and with 61 issues now under our belt, we
think it has established a reputation, authority and following to keep continuing.
By switching to a subscriber-only database we will also be able to offer other
benefits to our readers. Many people have asked if they can receive THE LOOP
in some form other than the Internet. Now we can offer THE LOOP by mail or fax,
with additional fees to handle printing, postage and phone costs. We’ll
also be better able to notify our subscribers of special events and important
news bulletins.
Extra! Extra!, our page of news updates we post jointly with Amusement Today,
will continue to be a free service available through our home page, and our
Connections page will remain accessible to the general public.
We will be transitioning THE LOOP to its subscription site over the next two
months. Already the Reading Room is password protected. By September 30, THE
LOOP itself will become a subscriber-only service. Anybody who subscribes before
that time will have their annual subscription run through December 2004; that
means you get five free issues of THE LOOP.
Right now we’re looking for our charter subscribers. The first 500 subscribers
to THE LOOP not only will get the additional five free issues, their annual
subscription rate of $22 will be locked in for life.
You can subscribe on line and pay through an on-line payment program, or you
can subscribe by postal mail or fax using a credit card or check. To subscribe,
click here, or call Lynne Mosman
toll-free at 866-902-5667 (outside North America, call 1-937-294-3406, or fax
520-514-2255).
THE LOOP is written and produced by Eric Minton, Minton Enterprises, LLC. To see more examples of Eric Minton's work and Minton Enterprises services, visit www.ericminton.com.
©2003, Minton Enterprises
LLC
All rights reserved