Magazine Survey

Chairman Elect, Andrew Kellett, analyses the responses to the survey about magazine distribution.

Thank you to the 100 branches and 1600 individual members who responded to our on-line survey about Scottish Country Dancer. One purpose of the survey was to gauge how many of you would prefer to receive the magazine in electronic format. About 20% of respondents would welcome such Andrew Kellett an innovation. Unsurprisingly the majority liked the physical feel of the magazine as it is, so let me assure you that Scottish Country Dancer will remain a hard copy publication. However, in future it will be possible to receive the magazine electronically if you would prefer it that way.

If you would like to receive the magazine electronically, please login to the My RSCDS area on the RSCDS website, go to your member details page, and click the box under ‘Magazine’ titled ‘Electronic’.

For the spring edition of the magazine you will then receive a PDF version of the magazine sent to your email inbox. If you do not click this box, you will continue to receive a paper copy of the magazine delivered to your door. Please note that in order to receive an electronic copy your email address must be up to date. The survey also revealed how much members appreciate the magazine. 94% like it, as opposed to 2% who do not. About half the respondents keep back copies of the magazine for reference, and a similar number share the magazine with family, friends and fellow dancers. It was very pleasing to note the number of members who enjoy ‘everything about the magazine’, and read it ‘from cover to cover’. Only a very small number do not read it. What members seem to value most about the magazine is the connectivity to the Scottish dance community. There were many comments about ‘staying in touch’ and ‘keeping up to date’ from dancers and former dancers alike. Information and ideas from other branches are particularly popular, more so than reports from Coates Crescent and the Committees, though members do like the contact with Scotland. This demonstrates the success of Scottish Country Dancer in promoting member-to-member and branch-to-branch communication. The magazine is not primarily about top-down messaging. Readers appreciate the letters column and the articles on history, technique and the personalities who have helped to shape Scottish dancing; plus the hints and tips on recruiting new members and devising dance programmes. Some of you would like to see more history and research in the magazine, and some check ‘who has died’, but most want the focus to be on ‘what is happening now’. For many respondents the photographs are more important than the words. ‘Recognising people I know’ and pictures of people, especially young people, dancing give members a lot of pleasure. The survey was nothing more than a snapshot, but it was gratifying to learn that members do value the magazine. The editor and his team put a tremendous effort into each issue, and it is heartening to know that it is worthwhile. On behalf of RSCDS members everywhere, a big ‘thank you’ to the Editorial Board.