First a little self-promotion: The upcoming February issue of BCM is stronger in content and more compelling than any issue in recent months. This is primarily due thanks to the contributions from our BCM bulletin board. So I figured, I'd dip into this well once again.
I'd like to have a regular feature on food. Easy to prepare meals on the road, great food stops, the unusual, food competitions, bbq tips. I have yet to meet a bus nut that didn't like to eat. If interested drop me a note: chad@busconversions.com
Additionally, an article on WiFi/Internet access on the road. Most stable; Tips; Advice
Thanks! And make sure to check out our February issue.
Chad
BCM Editor
Here's a good story
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=10807.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=10807.0)
It would be so much easier to become interested in the magazine if it existed for those that paid for it, I had my christmas miricle, now I'll apparently have to wait for my next christmas miricle, so far my jamuary and febuary issues have joined my september, october and november issues in the netherland.
Obviously, while I was writing this, someone else had the same thought. Kind of just reinforces what I was writing....
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Here's another idea for a story....
How about management address the concerns of your subscription public regarding their paid subscriptions not being fulfilled. While I'm not one of them, I'm getting tired of seeing posts on the bulletin board asking for help resolving the issue because they can't get through to the magazine management, or never get a response. It seems it's always been a problem, but getting worse lately. One individual posted in the last couple weeks that he had paid for a subscription 6 months ago and never received a single copy. When I see stuff like that on the board, and read about Mike's desire to sell the magazine, I start to wonder if I should bother to resubscibe.
I'll also suggest that if you want your public to contribute, make it worth their while. I know it's expensive to publish a magazine with limited distribution, and for the most part I've been happy with the content (and looking forward to Feb issue), but if you're going to revive this magazine and keep it afloat, you'll have to take some bold steps to encourage more people to contribute. It takes a lot of time and effort to put together a quality article, and most won't be willing to make that sacrifice without some incentive.
Just my thoughts....
You took the words right out of my fingers Craig. I was sitting here thinking that I could put together an article about LED conversion. I'm in the midst of converting the coach entirely to LED interior lighting. Our goal is to be able to sit for days off the grid which simply hasn't been possible in the past. Part of the solution is solar but a big part of the solution is controlling our consumption. But its a lot of work to write a worthwhile article. I bill myself out for a significant amount of money every day and while I don't expect MAK to pay my normal rate I'm also really not interested in doing it for free.
I remember a couple of years back there was publication that a friend of mine subscribed to and the owner was offering to pay for articles on bus conversions and he had no takers, a nice publication not fancy was in black and white but had great information do you fellows know who published it
David
Chad,
I got the Feb. issue. Still pretty thin but these are thin times. I liked the content it is on the upswing. Keep up the good work and I will be resubscribing.
Leland
Just ab aside to this thread. MY BUS MADE THE BCM MAGAZINE!!!!!!! Just look at the picture of Paul's Dreamscape. Mine is right behind it ! The small things in life make it enjoyable!
Big John
Hey John, Here's a better picture! ;)
hi two have not got any bcm magazines since oct you have contacted me 3 times and i am sure you will fix this
as far as articles i thing you could re print back articals from the past say a section blast from the past not all
bus nuts have new buss and many times i have picked up back issues and found great stuff in them hope this
helps john
Not to take away from the subscriptional frustrations that every one is experiencing but,The fine folks Over at the Eagles International Have published and just released a very fine book called theEagle Rally Recipes which can be had at a modest price(no shameless plug here).Chad might be good if you contact these folks for a copy.Seems like no one will give up any really good recipes unless you pay them ::),might want to talk to rusty ;)as these are some really top notch bus nut recipes ,and we are still reeling from last weekends pot luck dinner(man was it great).Hope this helps ya out :).Van
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi457.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq292%2Fcwvanhagen%2FDSC01709.jpg&hash=44df70f77723f1a49375c607d328ec1697de1fd8)
P.s some of these recipes are so good ,might just increase your subsciptions too ;)gotta go,hunger pains again!
I have to admit that I haven't subscribed because of all the people here not getting their mags for months on end. I have not seen any posts on what is being done about it. I will not order it till that happens.Have to admit I work to hard for my pay check. It is a little hard buying something I might not get.
John
I did cause I'm the eye doctor that'll live forever, the eternal optomotrist lol.
Cody LOL,I think there's a recipe for that too LOL ;D
I was going to also complain that my mag had not appeared.
Then, today, SHE showed up with some mail in a folder. SHE stated this was mail form last week's run to the post office box.
My Feb copy inside.
All is OK with the world.
Another note:
I have some fairly unique recipes that I make that draw good comments. I am willing to share to the mag if a column was developed.
David
Was that way 10 years ago, did not change a bit, & I don't think it will change in the next 10 years.
I sold(lucky me) my 5 years pile up 10 year ago & did not look back, I read here.
wrench
I received and email from BCM. They stated that more energy would be put into distribution.
John
I am in line with Gumpy and Bob.
I am a strong supporter of Mike and I like and respect his style (and I don't just mean writing style). I understand he has a hard job to do, keeping BCM afloat.
That said, I'm about ready to let my subscription expire. BCM is no longer for the "backyard builder". Very seldom are there articles about the type of stuff we self converters do. And I don't mean preparing meals. I believe that was tried by BCM within the last year. And the person advocating this is gone. If I want to learn about cooking I'll subscribe to a cook book.
Some of the best and most useful articles I have seen in BCM in the past years were written by MAK himself. Very short and to the point, very useful for the backyard converter, and exactly the reason why I subscribed originally to the mag. I would like to see more articles by Mike.
Recently, with a few exceptions, the articles are about high end units, about conversion subjects and techniques that may be used by a very small portion of our group, or written by someone who doesn't even own or work on a conversion.
I don't want to be negative, but I think it's time for the magazine to get back to basics. I like the suggestion of an article of how to convert my lights to LED, that's exactly the type of stuff I'm talking about, and that's the type of stuff I want to read in a Bus Conversion magazine !!!
And I'm sorry, but when trying to cut back on publication cost, doesn't it cost more for the recent fancy high tech graphics? If not, then I'm sorry for mentioning it. If so, forget the glossy pictures, give me black & white if necessary, but I want to see clear detailed wiring pictures, some plumbing ideas, or pictures of how to repair an air leak under my bus, etc.
I understand these are tuff times, and I know it's not easy for Mike to keep the ship afloat, again my respect for his tenacity. I will probably not let my subscription expire, if for no other reason than trying to "pay back" BCM for the many valuable articles thoughout the years, that provided me assistance and guidance while doing my conversion.
Chris
The modern graphics shouldn't be doing much to the cost. The gloss printing does bump it up, but I'm sure that when competing for the reduced number of advertisers, the look of the magazine does play a major role in the decision.
I fully agree with Chris on the kind of articles I would like to see. Among subscribers, I would bet that self converters outnumber pro converters several hundred to one. As a self converter, I most appreciate the practical how to technical features. And I am glad to see there have been several of those lately.
As has been said in this thread, I think the biggest problem is getting people to write those how-to articles and in finding fresh topics to publish in that context. (at 12 issues per year, it can exhaust the basic conversion topics pretty fast) And with George Myers stepping down from writing, it will be a greater challenge having tech articles to publish.
All that said, I like to look at the pro conversions too. They are nice to look at and they can spawn some ideas for the poor mans version of a feature. I think of it kind of like the car enthusiast magazines. There is no chance I'll ever own one of the $250K (or more) exotic sports cars, but they are fun to look at and read their specs (and drool).
On the road cooking articles don't bother me if they don't take away from more conversion related articles. If they are added content, then I think they truly do add something. But I wouldn't use them to replace the lack of tech articles. If space needs filling, I would agree with digging back a few years in the archives and dusting off some of the old tech articles for updating and reprint.
I agree with HT on past topics. They could title it " A Blast From The Past". Most of the topics from the past are still viable today, although some of the high tech articles are constantly changing.
It will be a challenge to come up with new stuff, and getting some of us to compile an article. As far as compensation, not sure how that would work, maybe a free subscription or a coffee mug with a picture of your bus on it! ;)
There is a wealth of knowledge here and on other boards to glean from, we just have to jump in and "Git 'er Done".