Comments on Mountains and Water: Matt Samet Interview Part 2

Nice work, guys; a very interesting read. I starte...

2010-04-01T07:17:50.003-06:00

Nice work, guys; a very interesting read. I started climbing in the mid 90s and Climbing was a huge influence on me. It really lead to my interest in working in publishing, where I'm now in the book business. We too are having to embrace the web and try figure out new business models. I won't say print is dead, but it has to be just one part of your contet delivery model. It's a strange time for those of us trying to bridge the gap. We have companies to support based on old business models so we don't have low overheads like folks starting websites out of their spare bedrooms. We do have the benefit of years of back content though, which can be of value depending on your niche. Does solid, vetted, carefully edited
content have a place onthe web? Sure. We just need to figure out the best ways to monetize it in the digital world.

Part 3 is scheduled in a few months

2010-03-18T14:05:33.525-06:00

Part 3 is scheduled in a few months

Whens part 3 comin?

2010-03-18T13:55:26.385-06:00

Whens part 3 comin?

thanks for putting this together, as one of those ...

2010-03-12T13:22:10.077-07:00

thanks for putting this together, as one of those obsessive climbers it is interesting to know the history of Climbing.I suspect we will see Matt soon again in print, too much of a talent to not be published.I hope the printed mag. will prevail, maybe just an old guy rant, but it is better than web based. Both for image and text, maybe computer screens will improve- like the Kibble, or is it Snivel or Drivel screen that is easier to read. I miss the mid 90's 150 page Climbing mag.

I echo some of the sentiments posted above: it'...

2010-03-11T07:30:06.648-07:00

I echo some of the sentiments posted above: it's a shame to see you go Matt, you've done a hell of a job. I enjoyed reading your reflections on the state of print media--I think it's a serious issue I wish we'd discuss more often. Best of luck to you and I hope you find another outlet for your witty and insightful prose.

Thanks Peter for posting this!

-Martin

Thanks to Peter for pulling this interview togethe...

2010-03-09T12:25:34.415-07:00

Thanks to Peter for pulling this interview together, and thanks to Matt for all the great work you did at the mag. All the trends you identify were already in force when I was at R&I (1998 to 2002), and they've only intensified now. It's a very difficult time...but also a fascinating one.

Thanks for posting this-- can't believe Matt d...

2010-03-05T07:53:56.425-07:00

Thanks for posting this-- can't believe Matt did all that work and still managed to be such a skilled, compassionate editor. Super impressive.

"I really do think there’s room for both prin...

2010-02-28T03:34:13.291-07:00

"I really do think there’s room for both print and online media to exist"

Yes.

One solution is this.

Go to four print issues a year. High quality photo and writing.

Publish two fat print gear guides a year.

But the bulk of content goes online to a free website, with a decent forum, not an off the shelf Simple machines one.

Invest in video delivery and production.

Above all, the mind set is that you are providing a service to all climbers, not just eye candy and a good read, but services that enrich their climbing experience and cater for their obsessive nature

As regards advertisers again you have to provide a service that increases their sales. Print ads are very limiting in that department and are better at brand positioning

Your ad system has to be open and transparent and above all quantifiable. Companies want value for money not just them giving the media their money.

For too long media has been about smoke and mirrors about perception. That has to change if you are to succeed.

Over and out,

Mick Ryan
UKClimbing.com

My questions is, if Justin Roth is now overseeing ...

2010-02-26T17:57:33.144-07:00

My questions is, if Justin Roth is now overseeing both Climbing and Urban Climber, how long before he cracks under the workload?

On the subject of advertising encroaching on edito...

2010-02-26T13:37:45.959-07:00

On the subject of advertising encroaching on editorial, I worked at Climbing for 5 years and remember a major cam manufacturer who got really pissed off that they got an A- in a gear review, and threatened to pull their entire ad schedule. Gear reviews were never the same after that.

Great interview series, I still don't know how Matt did it for so long as a one man show...

This is rad Peter. I hope this interesting to oth...

2010-02-26T09:22:21.180-07:00

This is rad Peter. I hope this interesting to others outside of the industry, but I really appreciate the inside view -- it's like getting to know a friend a little better. And Matt is almost understating how hard and how diligently he would work. I would turn in a piece and four hours later Matt would have that thing back at me with thoughtful comments, a bunch of questions. I'd think "How does this guy do this?"

Matt's been a great mentor to a lot of the younger writers out there -- including me. He always took the time to field a question or help trouble shoot an issue. Despite working almost all online these days and having somewhat grimmer view of where print is headed, I also know that Climbing mag was completely pivotal in helping me forward my online business.

Fitz

Peter and Matt, thanks so much for bringing this i...

2010-02-25T12:54:38.861-07:00

Peter and Matt, thanks so much for bringing this interview to us. The climbing community can really benefit from knowing the mag's history and difficulty behind making each issue.

Very interesting stuff, thanks for getting Matt to...

2010-02-25T11:56:06.808-07:00

Very interesting stuff, thanks for getting Matt to share.

-Justin

Thanks Mick! BTW I would love to see a news item/l...

2010-02-25T11:26:59.944-07:00

Thanks Mick! BTW I would love to see a news item/link on UK CLimbing about this interview series. Kairn posted one.

Thanks,
Peter

Thanks Matt and Peter, Don't envy that work l...

2010-02-25T11:15:17.153-07:00

Thanks Matt and Peter,

Don't envy that work load Matt. I'm glad I wasn't in your shoes ; o ) But there again to make UKClimbing.com work there has been a similar effort by our team here.

YOU ASK: "Do online climbing sites make any money? I’m not sure, but whatever the medium, the best content will be edited, original content, which in turn implies paying contributors for the material and an editor to parse and compile it."

Yes, UKC now surpasses the print mags for ad revenue in the UK, and we have a an Editor in Chief, a Director, a code genius, two part-timers and myself who work on the site.

It works. But personally I would love to do a print quarterly.

All the best,

Mick