2018 – What a year for CONTACT!

2018 was a huge year for CONTACT, full of ups and downs – but mostly ups.

There was some amazing audience/data growth this year (I’m so glad I’m locked into an ‘unlimited data downloads’ plan with my service provider!)…

  • 3.7million page views on our web site
  • 46,000ish average unique visitors per month
  • 1695 gigabytes of data dowloaded by visitors (mostly magazines, of course)
  • 580 news stories published
  • 140 YouTube videos uploaded
  • 104 Blog posts published
  • 29 newsletters emailed
    • to more than 10,000 subscriber each time – i.e. more than 290,000 emails sent
    • with open rates higher than 30%
    • and click-through about 11%
      • (which is well high, according to experts I’ve spoken to)
  • 5 magazines published (March, June, September, December, Invictus Games), and,
  • 1 grand plan to print CONTACT again – dead and buried!

 

The one big downer of the year, of course, was calling time on the grand CONTACT print plan. I really thought that would work. But, sadly, the audience just didn’t support it (except for the 69 out of 1000 needed who actually did support it – I am eternally grateful).

But, as they say, no point dwelling on the past. It is what it is, and we move on.

So, what will 2019 hold for CONTACT?

That’s actually a massive question, yet to be answered.

 

But, for now, I just want to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones health, happiness and prosperity in 2019 – and ask for your continuing support and best wishes as I navigate CONTACT’s future.

 

Sincerely,

Brian Hartigan
CONTACT Editor

editor@militarycontact.com

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Posted by Brian Hartigan

Managing Editor Contact Publishing Pty Ltd PO Box 3091 Minnamurra NSW 2533 AUSTRALIA

5 thoughts on “2018 – What a year for CONTACT!

  • 30/12/2018 at 3:18 pm
    Permalink

    Best Wishes to you and your Family Brian and I hope you have a great Christmas and New Year!

    Its been a big year for Contact, sure its a disappointment not to see print going ahead, but I expect you’ll dust yourself off and move on from this. I’m keen to hear what new plans you have in development.

    Roll on Contact in 2019!

    Reply
    • 31/12/2018 at 9:48 am
      Permalink

      Thank you Dave.
      The print failure was hard to swallow. To be honest, it near broke my heart.
      But I have taken some time out to think – about CONTACT – about what’s important to me – and can assure you and others, I am ready to get back to work – as soon as these holidays get out of my way 😉
      Many happy returns to you and yours,
      Brian Hartigan
      CONTACT Editor

      Reply
  • 30/12/2018 at 2:44 pm
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    Sir,

    I produced a quarterly, email-based, newsletter, for the members of the Officers’ Mess, at RAAF Edinburgh, for two years. I stopped when work took up all of my time – and no one wanted to take over.

    Further (probably like you) I did it all myself while holding down that full time job (probably unlike you) and I had no advertising, subscriptions nor submitted articles.

    I researched everything, interviewed all relevant personnel, wrote the articles, checked it and sent it out to the members. I also made my quarterly deadline – Every three months.

    My point is – I did it because I wanted to do it.

    If you are finding CONTACT too onerous perhaps its time to stop?

    Regards

    Wayne
    Past Editor
    Mirrabooka Mumbling
    RAAF Edinburgh

    Reply
    • 31/12/2018 at 9:44 am
      Permalink

      Hi Wayne,
      the fact you ‘feel my pain’ means a lot to me.
      I have actually come close enough to set a closing-down date three times over the years (most recently – about a month ago), but just can’t bring myself to do it when push come to shove. I – and more importantly for CONTACT’s survival, my wife – think it is worth the effort.
      This blog might give you some idea how ingrained CONTACT is in my life – https://www.contactairlandandsea.com/2017/01/22/defence-reporter/
      It’s just too hard to give up on something that important – that engrained in your very soul.
      Sincerely and with thanks for your understanding and support,
      Brian Hartigan
      CONTACT Editor

      Reply

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