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Survey Says
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While Dispatch readers don’t hesitate to tell us what they think in letters to the editor or Vox Pop, we wanted some specific feedback on Her Voice from Dispatch readers. After our planning committee developed a short survey, it was emailed to approximately 25,000 readers in December. Bear with us as we learn how to use our newly acquired survey software.
According to Nikki Lyter, marketing coordinator for the Dispatch and art director for Her Voice, the 238 responses came flooding in. Over a week’s time we learned more about you and what you want from a magazine. While not statistically significant, what follows are some results from the 83 percent of you answering the survey. Judging from the responses, most survey responders are, no surprise,
By the numbers: Gender: 84.5% 15.5 % Age: 0-34 35-54 55 and over No answer
female male 5% 39.5% 55% .5%
women over 50 who live in the Brainerd/Baxter area, like reading a magazine they can hold and want Her Voice to stay as is. But we’re also interested in the nearly 45 percent in a younger demographic. This edition’s cover story, Three Generations of Women Who Sew, profiles a recent design graduate who wants to “banish the stigma of quilting as archaic.”
PUBLISHER Tim Bogenschutz EDITOR Meg Douglas ART DIRECTOR Nikki Lyter PHOTOGRAPHER Joey Halvorson
Female
Age
Male
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Home: 73% in the Brainerd/Baxter area How access the magazine: 4.3 % online 85.7 % magazine insert in the newspaper Response to colored pages and design: 81.5% found color enhances the magazine. Survey responders who patronize advertisers: 69 percent, 78 percent read the ads.
VOICE
IS A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE BRAINERD DISPATCH
The majority of comments were positive, but for the purpose of transparency, I’m including a diverse sample. “I really enjoy Her Voice, we have so many amazing women in this area.” “Don’t fix what isn’t broken.” “I read it from cover to cover, then pass it on. “I like to have it in my hands.” “I like reading about people I know or know of. Other comments give us something to think about: “patronizing to aim (a magazine) at women.” “Seems to be all same contributors and people.” “This is Her Voice, how about a His Voice?” “I only get the Sunday paper, so don’t see it.” “Why not offer subscriptions to Her Voice?” To all those participating in our survey, thanks for your input. At this point, financial constraints keep us from inserting the magazine on Sunday or creating a His Voice, but these ideas and others will keep us talking and planning for the future. We are currently looking at offering Her Voice as a subscription, a survey suggestion. As always, anyone with more story ideas, more HV suggestions or who want to contribute stories, contact nikki.lyter@brainerddispatch.com.
Meg Douglas, Editor
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Staff
• For advertising opportunities call Carla Staffon 218.855.5834 or 1.800.432.3703 find our publication on the web at www.her-voice.com E-mail your comments, suggestions or topics to nikki.lyter@brainerddispatch.com or mail them to Her Voice at Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, MN 56401 copyright© 2003 VOLUME NINE, EDITION ONE SPRING 2012
SPRING 2012 | her voice
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