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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Carlisle Rogers on January 13, 2014, 08:04:10 PM

Title: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Carlisle Rogers on January 13, 2014, 08:04:10 PM
Hey guys!

We've just started running an online survey to figure out what you, the readers of our magazine, like and don't like. My wife says I just do whatever I want, but I promise I'll take any and all of your answers on board. We want to make sure this magazine isn't just the best in my eyes, but in yours too.

Oh, and we're giving away a couple of fan packs worth $1,100 with:
Two GME handheld UHFs, a pair of Xray driving lights, 12 month sub to the mag plus two caps, two stubby coolers, two tshirts, a vehicle sticker and DVDs for Series 1 & 2.

Fill out the survey here and win, or, at least feel like a winner:
http://www.4wdtouringaustralia.com.au/survey/ (http://www.4wdtouringaustralia.com.au/survey/)


Thanks - Carlisle
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: 02-SR5 on January 13, 2014, 08:14:53 PM
Just don't turn it into another spam magazine flogging Roo/Tigerz every scone page.

I would like to read unbiased stories on products, not another product endorsement.

Travel stories and a true unbiased stories of camper trailers.

We don't have this in Australia anymore.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: JCOJ on January 13, 2014, 08:21:46 PM
Done.

Just some feedback though - some questions didn't give the option of more than one answer eg: Who do you go camping with?  It would just let you put in the one option so I had to leave the kids at home!

Same with the accessories question - I have brands from different manufacturers but didn't allow that option.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: D4D on January 13, 2014, 08:35:00 PM
Just some feedback though - some questions didn't give the option of more than one answer eg: Who do you go camping with?  It would just let you put in the one option so I had to leave the kids at home!

Agreed and some questions force you to have an answer when there isn't a suitable option, such as what did you buy after reading about it in a mag, my answer is never.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Brucer on January 13, 2014, 08:46:36 PM
I can only really say what I like/don't like about another popular action mag that is often mentioned on this forum..

Like...

Comparos, e.g. fridges, tyres, etc with actual field testing
Technical articles e.g. brakes servicing, etc with pictures
DVD's are usually entertaining

Don't like ...

Plugging of sponsor products presented as editorial
Accepting advertising from known scammers
Language, writing style
Articles that seem useful on the face of it but provide little actual information, e.g. campsite article telling you how great it is with a few pictures thrown in but missing the vital info one would need to decide whether to go there. such as how many sites, shade, CT access, facilities, directions, firewood, water, etc.
They often seem only to be aimed at patrol or LC owners.

I was watching an episode of Top Gear (UK) and they were testing cars for Caravaners, only in typical TG style they made it entertaining. They raced car and caravan to the campsite over some pretty rough ground. The caravans were totally destroyed by the time they got there. It might be a joke and not taken seriously but it was different and it was fun. If I were watching say Pat Callinan review a CT you know it's a sponsored slot and all you get is a puff piece about the CT. At least TG will tell you if they reckon something is crap and that's why the show has such a following. I know this is feedback for a magazine and not a TV show but the part that translates is the integrity you get only by being fair dinkum in reviews and copping the heat if the sponsor doesn't like it. It may not seem like good business but on the other hand TG has been very successful.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: broncos11 on January 13, 2014, 08:47:45 PM
Done. I also agree that it's important not to flog sponsors products too much. Some similar outdoor magazines/ TV shows are turning into infomercials for sponsors products. On another note, I would also like an increase to your TV show to 1 hour.

Dave
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: woolgoolgaoffroad on January 13, 2014, 08:55:43 PM
Done
more destination stories from others ( hint hint !!!!)
 ;D
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Swannie on January 13, 2014, 09:12:02 PM
Done. I would like to see more of vehicle build ups for touring like many of the vehicles on this forum
Swannie
Title: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: scarps on January 13, 2014, 09:12:37 PM
Carlisle, as requested I completed your survey, you'll see my answers.  I will actively never buy nor read your magazine again.
Clearly I'm not your target audience as you couldn't even list my 4WD which is currently outselling all but one of the rest you listed.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Silvo on January 13, 2014, 09:19:26 PM
You are going to get a lot of inaccurate data, maybe, by looking at the design of the survey, that is what you want.

It seems I can't proceed past question 22/23 unless i saw an accessory in a magazine and bought it, or intend on buying something from a magazine in the next 12 months. i've got no intention on buying anything i saw in a magazine, but maybe you don't want the advertisers to know that.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: shrek4 on January 13, 2014, 09:29:23 PM
I didn't begin the survey as to be honest I think the T&Cs suck!
Not only does one have to volunteer their own time to complete the survey, one also has to submit something at question 38 (whatever that is as it isn't listed in the T&Cs) which will be judged as the best and then win.

So is it a survey or a game of skill competition or more accurately a game of skill competition disguised as a survey........?

Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: crackacoldie on January 13, 2014, 09:29:43 PM
Done, although I to would like to have answered that I travel with both my wife and kids, not one or the other.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: marvellous_matt on January 13, 2014, 10:09:09 PM
Hi Carlisle, I suggest you put more time into designing your survey, cant help feeling my time was wasted, as I was unable to answer the questions accurately. 
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Aussie Iron on January 13, 2014, 10:18:28 PM
Hi Carlisle, I suggest you put more time into designing your survey, cant help feeling my time was wasted, as I was unable to answer the questions accurately.
[/quote

Same here as a lot of the survey is not answerable by me as I don't buy any magazines and I'm not planing as buying any products that are advertised in it. The survey is very biased to your magazine so I would believe a lot of people will be giving wrong answers just to enter your competition.

Dan.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: speewa158 on January 14, 2014, 01:35:15 AM
Saddly l have more than enough crap to cart around now . l wont be ripping out the plastic as l have mostly all l need , if anything l will sell off some of it  :cheers:
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Dice on January 14, 2014, 05:28:13 AM
I started your survey and am unable to finish
as my vehicle not listed also agree with others
on not enough choice in answers
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Homer_Jay on January 14, 2014, 05:48:06 AM
Cheap way to buy a mailing list?

Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: DaveR on January 14, 2014, 06:14:40 AM
I did the survey just so I could see what all these comments are about.
There is certainly room for a lot of improvement in the survey answer options.
Doubt I shall win with my Q 38 answer  ;D
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: muzza01 on January 14, 2014, 06:50:14 AM
Did the survey. Unfortunately the answers aren't truthful as the survey questions were poorly designed.  I had the same problems that other above have posted.

A survey needs to be trialled on at least 30-40 people before you decide to use it. That way it will identify problems that we have encountered.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Chris-Vi on January 14, 2014, 07:14:02 AM
Wouldn't waste my time. Surveys can be twisted to say what the company wants to see. Sadley by the above comments this seems to be true.  :cheers:
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: ATC on January 14, 2014, 07:30:11 AM
Carlisle,
unfortunately I have to agree with many of the other responses - the survey design is poor and it's doing more to irritate people and giving you incorrect answers.

Do yourself a favour and pull the survey, redesign it (happy to be part of the test group) and the put it back up.

There is to much work goes into making a magazine & accompanying show for it to be ruined by a survey that irritates people.

BTW I drive a Mazda, so I selected "No 4WD" as my model wasn't listed

Better options would be:-
Toyota Hilux
Toyota Landcruiser
Toyota Other 4WD
Nissan Navara
Nissan Patrol
Nissan Pathfinder
Ford / Mazda
Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Other etc...

and in a seperate question get a vehicle age eg
0-3 years old
3-5 years old
5-10 years
10+

After all even the Toyota 200 series is now a few years old, and to say I drive a Patrol gives you someting like 30+ years of vehicle history to choose from (just making a point)

Also have to agree with the points made - don't become an advertorial, don't take ad's from spamers / rip off merchants, don't let your standard drop.

I don't subscribe, but got a free copy of one of your magazines and the production / photography was outstanding.
Good enough that I didn't renew my Overlander subscription so I have some choice in what to subscribe to next.

Anthony
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: krisandkev on January 14, 2014, 08:29:02 AM
Tried to do the survey, would not allow me past q 23 as I could not answer it honestly, so I just quit out of my survey.  ???  Kevin
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: KeithB on January 14, 2014, 08:42:57 AM
Carlisle,
I have always enjoyed your show on TV and received the January issue of 4WD Touring as a gift subscription from one of the family.  Having read this issue cover to cover can I offer the following (I hope) constructive criticism:

1. 4WD Touring strikes me as a magazine that is struggling to find quality content. Articles seem to be padded out to to fill space in a way that has nothing to do with their relevance. Why a double page spread for a chicken recipe?

2. You write very well indeed and are a great philosopher; Craig writes well too. But a 4WD magazine is not a place for whimsical prose. Please stick to the subject matter and lose the stream of consciousness stuff.

3. Please put meaningful captions next to each photo, explaining what the photo means - on the same page.

4. Size pictures in proportion to their relevance - not as a means to fill the page.

5. If you do a piece on a location, include a mud map of the area.

6. I read the road test of the new Prado and leaned almost nothing about it. Words like "Fantastic addition to the line-up" have no place in an independent test.

7. Liked your UHF radio piece, but more space could have been given to aerial selection and less to oversized pictures of the sets.

8. If I want to read about fishing I will but a fishing magazine. This was four pages wasted.

9. The electrical piece was good, but it did not need two pages.

10. The dual battery system was incomplete with no mention of DC-DC chargers.

11. Two pages for two book reviews in a 4WD mag? C'mon!

12.  Be careful putting type over pictures, which makes the type hard to read.

13. You can't say "so-and-so makes, hands down, the best canvas aftermarket products for 4WDs on the market", without looking at other products. Heaven knows there's plenty of space in the magazine to do it.

14. Who cares about  Tomcar accepting Bitcoin or whether  XRay Vision has a new logo? Why make space for stuff like that?

15. Why are you running graveyard advertising at the back of the magazine instead of mixing it in with the copy?

Carlisle, I like you and I like what you are trying to do. But I think you must stand fast to maintain your commercial credibility and resist the temptation to produce a photographer's magazine which perhaps, in your heart of hearts, you would really prefer to do. Go for relevance, quality content and credibility and the magazine will have a big future.
My advice (as a fellow publisher) would be to get your ad sales people working harder and spend more time and effort on content.
Good Luck!
Keith

Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: 4wd26 on January 14, 2014, 09:36:14 AM
I subscribed for a year- your first year- sadly I felt that that was wasted.
I felt that you and your employed staff were trying to do too much in terms of the articles, what was lacking was the "family" side of things

I mean we buy a camper trailer to explore the country side with the family- usually, I can get by with just a swag and see wonderful places, but with the family  come the need to take more stuff- camper trailer, that cannot be conveyed in print with a boys trip

there is only so many times you can read about the "iconic"  places and see pictures of these in magazines, what makes a trip/ destination different to someone else's is the "experiences" you get.  Reading your articles had me thinking sometimes you were rehashing national parks/ or tourism brochures



anyway my 2 cents why I did not renew my subscription- I found nothing to make me read the articles, I would flick through the pretty pics, skim read and have the mag put down in 30mins, never to be picked up again....

will check out the survey and add comment if I can.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Carlisle Rogers on January 14, 2014, 10:18:35 AM
Wow, thank you for the responses all - both the constructive (and vitriolic) feedback.
To those of you who love and understand what we do with this magazine, all I can say is that I continue to pour blood, sweat, tears and bug spray into every page of this thing. And I want it to be better each issue, which is why we're asking for your help.

I want to thank you again for your points RE the survey's weak points. We're rebuilding this today, taking on board all of your advice, and the wisdom of hindsight. I hope it is better when it returns later. Some of you suggested a focus group, and I have to thank you for your time and consideration in actually letting me know what issues you found. It is important to me to find out more about who you are, what you want and what you don't want. This isn't a 'cheap mailing list'. I can talk to you all for free here. It is simply a way to engage with our readers in a meaningful way. I hope that I haven't offended anyone by leaving out their 4WD of choice, or implying that you only travel with the wife or kids. Frankly, the software puts into place some default settings and we weren't aware of those limitations.

As for the comments on the magazine that have bubbled up thus far - We aren't competing with the other magazines on the stand. Competing with 4WD Action would require such a drop in our standards that none of you would bother writing back to this post. 4WD Touring Australia is, essentially, one man's quest to find Australia. So if it seems like we're short-staffed, we aren't, we have a few dedicated people who are passionate about this. We are not a corporation designed to strip you of your hard-earned dollars in exchange for cobbled-together, thinly-veiled product endorsements. We are a small family business trying to create a 4WD magazine that isn't just broad in its coverage of the country, but deep. I want to create deep histories of the places I visit. I want there to be inner maps hidden in the pieces, not just physical ones.

Keith, you took the time to write a detailed and heartfelt response. I'd like to take the time to get back to your points individually, not in this post. But, one thing which seemed to bother you was the book/ record reviews page. On the surface, I can see why that would seem superfluous. I guess I'm guilty of assuming that all 4WDers are seekers, and all seekers look for truth wherever they can find it. I find it in the last dying moments of a sunset, and in a book written by a fellow traveller who has found his own truths. I find it fishing for barramundi in places I can only get to with a well-equipped 4WD, but I also find it in the lyrics and sounds of Pink Floyd, Roy Harper or T Rex.

We'll always travel deeper with 4WD Touring Australia. Without that inner journey, why would the mag exist? Simply to steal a few readers from Overlander? There is a philosophy behind what we do here, and some will fall into it, as I fell into the books and records that shaped who I am. We'll never be 'commercial sell-outs'. Take a closer look at who advertises, and who doesn't, in 4WD Touring Australia. There has never been, and there will never be, a manufacturer advertised in this mag that I don't personally respect and admire.

We're doing things differently than they've ever been done in this industry. That is going to cost me some readers, I know. But it won't cost me my self-respect, and that's ultimately what drives this magazine to be what it is, not just a clone of those 30-year-old corporate dinosaurs.

Carlisle

Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: ozbogwam on January 14, 2014, 10:21:19 AM
Started the survey and have the same problems with the questions.

None of your business how much my family makes.

Couldn't get past question 22 & 23 as I haven't and most likely won't buy something advertised on the mag.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: woolgoolgaoffroad on January 14, 2014, 12:50:32 PM
Carlise,
as much as i love the mag sometimes I find your writing a bit too deep if that makes sense; (but i did see you reply that you are heading down a different path to the off the shelf 30 year old mags)
and in the last mag you used the same image 3 times......
 ;D
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Bird on January 14, 2014, 01:41:17 PM
Quote from: Homer_Jay
Cheap way to buy a mailing list?

(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd234/cremo1/Smileys/saywhat.gif)

Quote from: KeithB
Why a double page spread for a chicken recipe?

Oh yea, Im rushin out to subscribe to that...
(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd234/cremo1/Smileys/viking.gif)
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Carlisle Rogers on January 14, 2014, 03:30:00 PM
All,
Thanks again for your feedback. We have updated the questions to accommodate your concerns.
Those of you who already filled it out, you are already in the running.
For anyone who hasn't yet, I think we've made it a smoother process now.
Carlisle
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: rotor138 on January 14, 2014, 03:39:58 PM
Really enjoyed the first couple of magazines that I bought but am now a bit over the philosophical style of writing. Just seem to buy it for the pictures now. Helps remind me why I work were I do, to get out there sooner.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Isuzumu on January 14, 2014, 03:54:23 PM
I brought the first subscription but, I also con not get use to your style of writing. I ask my wife to read one of the mags and she said it was like reading Mills and Boon, with out the sex  ;D.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: DaveR on January 14, 2014, 04:09:17 PM
I'm guilty of not buying a mag of any kind for a very long time, same for the other half.
Reason is, well, for me, ho hummm, I get bored with them to easily.
If Carlisle is trying to make a touring mag that is about more then just tubular bar work and beers, that must be a good thing. If a touring mag goes to a bit of trouble to "Introduce" the reader to something different, how is that not a good thing, is't that what touring is about? That could be poetry, fishing, a great new book, what ever, they are relative to touring. Or, how about events in towns, such as a Quilt display, what is wrong with a mag giving mention about this event, granted, 4 page spread may be a bit much.
Touring is about these things and more, plus meeting other folk, learning something new.

Seen as Carlisle has given such an honest response to this post and the few negative comments, and has addressed the survey he is trying to conduct, I shall now go out of my way to find this mag, and then hope to have myself parked on a camp chair soon to read it.
Anyone in business who can admit something is amiss, then address it intelligently, earns my respect.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: muzza01 on January 14, 2014, 04:14:16 PM
I'm guilty of not buying a mag of any kind for a very long time, same for the other half.
Reason is, well, for me, ho hummm, I get bored with them to easily.
If Carlisle is trying to make a touring mag that is about more then just tubular bar work and beers, that must be a good thing. If a touring mag goes to a bit of trouble to "Introduce" the reader to something different, how is that not a good thing, is't that what touring is about? That could be poetry, fishing, a great new book, what ever, they are relative to touring. Or, how about events in towns, such as a Quilt display, what is wrong with a mag giving mention about this event, granted, 4 page spread may be a bit much.
Touring is about these things and more, plus meeting other folk, learning something new.

Seen as Carlisle has given such an honest response to this post and the few negative comments, and has addressed the survey he is trying to conduct, I shall now go out of my way to find this mag, and then hope to have myself parked on a camp chair soon to read it.
Anyone in business who can admit something is amiss, then address it intelligently, earns my respect.

Well said Dave. I might go buy this mag as well.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: 4wd26 on January 14, 2014, 05:35:29 PM
still doesn't have other in the "what 4wd would you like to buy"

My next vehicle will most likely be an iveco daily dual cab
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: DannyG on January 14, 2014, 06:31:14 PM
Carlisle is getting beat up in his own thread. I may as well stick my boot in too lol

Several times you have asked for some sort of contribution from forum members I have emailed what you wanted and have never received a reply, no feedback, no thanks no anything.

Not that that has anything to do with your magazine just letting you know :)
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: dazzler on January 14, 2014, 06:47:25 PM
Oh come on fellas stop the rubbish about your vehicle not being listed.

Smart people drive a cruiser or a prado. Bogans drive patrols and the only other one is pajero for Nuffies who buy the cheap version of a prado.

So if u r smart just tick Toyota.

If u r missing a few teeth and drive watching the temp gauge then tick patrol.

If you are of the Scottish persuasion click pajero.

It's not difficult. 




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: DaveR on January 14, 2014, 06:50:52 PM
Oh come on fellas stop the rubbish about your vehicle not being listed.

Smart people drive a cruiser or a prado. Bogans drive patrols and the only other one is pajero for Nuffies who buy the cheap version of a prado.

So if u r smart just tick Toyota.

If u r missing a few teeth and drive watching the temp gauge then tick patrol.

If you are of the Scottish persuasion click pajero.

It's not difficult. 




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)


Someone is looking for a fight. Where is the pop corn, na bugga it, gime a beer!

PS, what Nationality am I if I have a busted Jackaroo in the shed for 6 weeks and still not working?
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Redcherokee on January 14, 2014, 06:52:09 PM
Obviously you don't expect females to fill out your survey. Since gay marriage is still not legal, there won't be a lot of females who travel with their wife.  Partner is gender neutral, but it should be either partner only, or spouse/partner or wife/husband/partner.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: scarps on January 14, 2014, 06:58:37 PM

I shall now go out of my way to find this mag, and then hope to have myself parked on a camp chair soon to read it.
oh I see, you've got speewa's camp chair?
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: DaveR on January 14, 2014, 07:03:24 PM
oh I see, you've got speewa's camp chair?

From what I have read, it is in that Tent your standing Guard over.....
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: scarps on January 14, 2014, 07:05:41 PM

From what I have read, it is in that Tent your standing Guard over.....
no, apparently that's xcavator proudly displaying his big gun!
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Bill on January 14, 2014, 07:09:04 PM
None of your business how much my family makes.
I have to agree.
Why would that make any differance to a magazine anyway?
Bill
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Crimso on January 14, 2014, 07:30:22 PM
Wow, thank you for the responses all - both the constructive (and vitriolic) feedback.




Carlisle

Deserves a "like" button.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: kylarama on January 14, 2014, 07:39:43 PM
None of your business how much my family makes.

I have to agree.
Why would that make any differance to a magazine anyway?
Bill

Stock standard marketing questions.  Broad questions to put you into a specific target group.

Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: dazzler on January 14, 2014, 07:50:29 PM
Someone is looking for a fight. Where is the pop corn, na bugga it, gime a beer!

PS, what Nationality am I if I have a busted Jackaroo in the shed for 6 weeks and still not working?

I'm just trying to help - really I am.   :angel:
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Nomad on January 14, 2014, 08:06:29 PM
PS, what Nationality am I if I have a busted Jackaroo in the shed for 6 weeks and still not working?

Ozf^ckingstralian of course.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Kit_e_kat9 on January 14, 2014, 08:15:23 PM


I bought the first 10 magazines, but got bored with the overly intellectual blah, blah, blah, with what I believe was little further information to what has been "done before".  I stopped purchasing as I felt you were visiting the all too famous Top 10 and doing the very over done blah, blah, blah articles on them and getting no "deeper" than anyone else.  There is much more to those Top 10 destinations, than the destinations themselves.  The Journey ... it's the before and after of any good destination and not often taken into account when writing articles in any magazine.  Things like (and this one is a biggie) the preparations or lack thereof, the dust, the flies, the staked tyres, the things that go wrong, the broken beer bottles, the heat, the cold, the rain, the 4,000 other yobbos in attendance, the offending dumped garbage, the toilet paper wattles, the scary stuff like snakes, spiders, and other such stuff that goes bump in the night ... we always seem to see these places in magazines in pristine conditions ... which isn't how you actually find them when you are there.

Loved the photographs.  I always wanted to be The Post Office Photographer (Steve Parish for those who don't often visit PO's) personally, so feel I can appreciate a good photo when I see it.  I've added wanting to be a Carlisle to the list.  It'll never happen though ... I don't know enough or know the right people to "make it".

I felt you had some uninteresting content.  Advertising, comparisons, cooking, book reviews, music reviews, etc.  It's page turning stuff!   ;D

Overall I felt your magazine was good.  Better than some, same as some.  The photography is a standout for me.  After the first 10 however, I haven't purchased any further editions. 

Never seen your "show" so that's all I know about that.

Kit_e

I should also make you aware that the two Hema maps you gave me for a winning photo in December 2012 edition (I purchased 2 copies ... one is still intact in it's packaging), one is a bit worse for wear (nothing some sticky tape won't fix I guess) and the second is near identical - well the map itself is and that's the only bit I find any interest in really.  SEQ and SEQ 4wd version.  I do appreciate them however and I'm proud to have been printed.  ;D 

Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Aussie Iron on January 14, 2014, 08:18:58 PM
Sorry still couldn't answer some of the questions truthfully so that puts me out.

Best of luck,
Dan.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: lindamc on January 14, 2014, 08:38:28 PM
Obviously you don't expect females to fill out your survey. Since gay marriage is still not legal, there won't be a lot of females who travel with their wife.  Partner is gender neutral, but it should be either partner only, or spouse/partner or wife/husband/partner.

Whilst not legally married, we see ourselves as such so I put "wife" for that question. For the other questions that i couldnt answer specifically, I just did what I thought logical, the closest to accurate that was possible.

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Barrabart on January 14, 2014, 08:47:52 PM
Carlisle,

 I buy your mag every so often, didn't even know about it till about a year ago. I don't buy a lot of mags anymore, mainly because the others are just so rehashed.

The reason i buy yours is because the stories are new, the way you write is refreshing albeit a little hard to casually read as your words are a little out of grasp for the average yob like myself, though in saying this i also appreciate that you are writing the way you want to, and i'll admit that i have at times looked up definitions of some of the words you use to find out wtf they mean, so thanks for the education.

I love the pics in the mag, i like the insight into music you've found, and i llike the little philosophy quotes here and there..etc

I think i get what your mag is about, it's not exclusivley about 4wd's, about camping, 4wd mods...... i thinks it's about trying to capture all the things that we do that get us out "touring" and why we tour/travel..... it's about new experiences, new people, tastes, smells sigts and sounds.......... the whole package. And for under $10 a month, it's worth it to me.

Here are some lyrics you might like, it's from the song Hound Dog, by Cold Chisel..... I particularly like the last four lines...........to me "the motion", the journey, is the very essence of travelling, not particularly the destination.

Leave the waves and change the culture
Choose a far off name that suites ya
Bali, Bangkok, overland
Asian highway, Amsterdam
Always some town unexplored
And in the end
It's the motion, it's its own reward
It's just the motion.




Catch ya and keep up the good work.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Tractor88 on January 14, 2014, 09:15:43 PM
Great reply Barrabart. I tend to agree that the mag is completely different to the others for its original slant and the obviously enormous amount of work that goes into it to produce a monthly magazine like this. Keep up the good work Carlisle as there are plenty of us who really like the work and effort you and the team go to.
Cheers
Darren.    :cheers:
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Big Tread on January 14, 2014, 09:47:19 PM
I too have really enjoyed the mag. The first couple of issues inspired us to leave a dreary Melbourne for 3 months last year and head over to the Coral Coast in WA - so if inspiration is a measure of success, then the mag has worked for me.

Agreed, the recipes are not that inspiring, but Roothies in that other mag are even less appealing. And I did send into readers rigs and got no response. But I'd previously received a very nice PM from Carlisle in response to a comment I had posted on My Swag, so i guess you cant have it all.  I also quite like the Roadkill section and even intend to hunt down a couple of books.

I also filled in the survey , and yes the question were a bit clumsy, but I answered them as best I could and good on Carlisle for taking on board the comments and having another crack at the survey.  Feedback, good and bad, is obviously critical to being able to produce a good product. It might not meet everyone's tastes, I guess it just has to meet enough people's tastes to make it viable.

Keep up the good work Carlisle, but also make sure you do take in board constructive feedback from people who really do want to see your mag work as an alternative to most of the other dross  on the news stands.

Cheers
Big Tread
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: gregw56 on January 14, 2014, 10:02:12 PM
never buy mags, to much good info here on mysawg. mags are only for reading at the doctors or barber shop.let some other mug buy em.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: McGirr on January 14, 2014, 10:28:56 PM

Filled in the survey.

I would like to thank Carlisle for the opportunity to write stories of the myswag trips over the last couple of years with the photos from Symon and Kirsty.

It is hard to do a magazine that would please everyone but the feedback from the public helps. As mentioned some people gave up buying magazines years ago because the content did not suit and with forums these days there is information on alot of topics including trips reports with great photos.

To be different and appeal to everyone is impossible but the advantage is you can talk to the owner of the magazine and offer ideas etc.  This is impossible with other magazines.

Maybe more articles from the general public. Trip reports that give more detail about areas and seen through different eyes.

Mark
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: kylarama on January 14, 2014, 10:40:13 PM
from people who really do want to see your mag work

I don't think anyone doesn't want to see this mag not work, but when you stick your head out and ask for honest feedback you don't always hear what you want to hear.  Good on Carlisle for having a crack and doing it how he thinks it should be done, but doing a monthly magazine is one of the toughest things these days

never buy mags, to much good info here on myswag.

and this is why.  The internet and forums have killed mags, why wait a month for (4 week old) news and 'how to's' when you can have it for free (sort of) at the click of a button.  Remember back 10+ years ago when at the start or end of the month you'd check out the newsagent (or letterbox) for your favorite mag as it was our main source for product reviews, diy tips, or trip reports.
Now you can get it all in 100 times more detail on this site alone, even daily updates with pics of someones big trip.
I used to spend 80 odd dollars a month on different mags (not including 'those' ones ;D), but stopped about 9 years. 1 due to cost and 2 due to getting better content off the net.
I think we're allot more picky of magazines than we used to be, because the only other thing we had to compare it to were other magazines.

Carlisle appears to be doing something different, the other option is to sell out to advertisers.  Music, books, cooking, fishing.  We probably all enjoy at least 2 of those things while camping, why not including them in the mag?

Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: 02-SR5 on January 15, 2014, 02:40:00 AM
I agree.

10 years, I use to look forward to reading a 4wd Monthly when Pat was editor.

Good source of info, product reviews (unbiased), trip reviews and the occasional trip.

Now, magazines want to sell you products, their own product, and most of it is imported rubbish.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: camper48 on January 15, 2014, 07:21:28 AM
never buy mags, to much good info here on mysawg and other forums. mags are only for reading .let sons and friends buy em
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: ozbogwam on January 15, 2014, 07:33:44 AM

Stock standard marketing questions.  Broad questions to put you into a specific target group.
Shouldn't be a mandatory question though
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: ozbogwam on January 15, 2014, 07:45:05 AM
I like the twist that Carlisle gives his articles, they are a personal take from his viewpoint not a dumbed down essay written by a sixteen year old drunk monkey. Photography is great, although the pre press work don't do them justice way too dark in the shadows. The inclusion of book reviews etc are fine adds a bit of interest.

My reason for not buying the mags anymore is the destinations are the same, same, same that I've read many times before.

Try and scope the less travelled or covered locations.

The man in the hat seems to cover some areas that don't get the saturation coverage while the blokes with dual cabs and quads cover some really interesting locations.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: doc evil on January 15, 2014, 09:28:52 AM
I agree.

10 years, I use to look forward to reading a 4wd Monthly when Pat was editor.

Good source of info, product reviews (unbiased), trip reviews and the occasional trip.


If you say so............... ::)
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: ozbogwam on January 15, 2014, 10:16:20 AM
They were when I was involved with the mag and did a few
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Bird on January 15, 2014, 10:18:56 AM
I don't think there is enough fresh information to have monthly magazines anywhere anymore... few hobbys Im in have now gone to 1/4ly and its working a treat.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: woolgoolgaoffroad on January 15, 2014, 09:16:25 PM
have been thinking about this today and what Carlisle is trying to achieve...
i suppose the question is now-

 ''What would we like to see in the mag to help and improve it ????"
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: DannyG on January 15, 2014, 09:29:58 PM

have been thinking about this today and what Carlisle is trying to achieve...
i suppose the question is now-

 ''What would we like to see in the mag to help and improve it ????"

Boobs of course doh
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: Kit_e_kat9 on January 15, 2014, 10:36:27 PM
the blokes with dual cabs and quads cover some really interesting locations.

Do they?  When the shirts are off I don't seem to notice where they are!   :angel:

Kit_e
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: DaveR on February 12, 2014, 08:58:16 PM
Where can I buy this Mag?
I have been to different Newo's and not found it. Yep, guilty, I didn't ask, as they were all busy at the time.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: woolgoolgaoffroad on February 12, 2014, 09:09:31 PM
its a very hard mag to buy, we have 4 paper shops here in coffs and only one sells it with limited stock
great value to subscribe to it
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: vk2ss55 on February 13, 2014, 09:12:51 AM
Carlisle I do wish you all the best and understand that you do put your all into what you do . The so called editors of your competition mag's sure need some basic grammar and spelling lessons . Sure the copy may have come from a contributor but isn't it still the editor's job to edit .....?
Cheers Ross
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: SteveandViv on February 13, 2014, 09:44:06 PM
I don't think there is enough fresh information to have monthly magazines anywhere anymore... few hobbys Im in have now gone to 1/4ly and its working a treat.

Give the man a cigar - na, a case of Rum  :cheers:
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: oldmate on February 13, 2014, 10:03:08 PM
Where can I buy this Mag?
I have been to different Newo's and not found it. Yep, guilty, I didn't ask, as they were all busy at the time.

Paradise point newsagent normally has it mate
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: DaveR on February 14, 2014, 07:58:04 AM
Paradise point newsagent normally has it mate
Just near my Fav Pie shop this end of the coast, shall call in today.
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: DaveR on February 14, 2014, 04:09:35 PM
Paradise point newsagent normally has it mate
I got it.
Now to pk my Arse out the back near the beer fridge, keep 1/4 of an eye on the kids in the pool, and have a good look through it.
I just hope there is no tubular bar work!
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: DaveR on February 15, 2014, 05:38:10 PM
I have just read the Feb 2014 copy.
My far from experienced opinion is that it is a clean clutter free mag with out the complications of some others.
Although, I just can't help but wonder who may need a set of points with them on a journey these days in the spares kit, page 46 in the check list.
I liked the mag, nice to find something a bit different from the norm.
Cheers
Title: Re: 4WD Touring Australia - survey
Post by: oldmate on February 21, 2014, 05:13:22 PM
Just near my Fav Pie shop this end of the coast, shall call in today.

Lol.  Why is it your fav pie shop?