Times they are a changin’.
I don’t particularly like Bob Dylan but the song title is appropriate. One of the trends in media is the migration to digital. In many ways digital is the future. 61% of Gen Z reads primarily on their phone, as do 51% of older generations. (Source: Forbes article titled “New Survey Spotlights Exactly What Gen Zers Are Reading On Their Phones” by Rob Salkowitz, published on December 8, 2022.) It seems reasonable to assume the numbers are currently higher.
At Shield Wall Media we have done several things to follow the digital trend. We offer digital versions of our magazines, including audio versions and podcasts. We continue to look for ways to leverage technology to curate and distribute information.
In July, Shield Wall Media will have been in existence for six years. In that time we have grown from three to seven magazines, added a data generation component, and three trade shows. A primary reason for this growth is we look for under-served markets and position ourselves to where we believe the market will be in two to five years.
We estimate that approximately 20% of the construction markets we serve are members of the Plain Communities. They are not served by the trend toward the digital distribution of information. Several major publications have moved to a digital-only format. In our view it does not make sense to abandon or move away from 20% of an industry.
One of the areas heavily impacted by Plain Communities is addressed specifically by Garage, Shed & Carport Builder Magazine and the Garage, Shed & Carport Builder Show.
To address this, we are rebranding Garage, Shed & Carport Builder and slightly shifting the focus of the magazine. The June/July issue of Garage, Shed & Carport Builder will be the last issue under this title.
Starting with a Fall issue, the new title for the publication will be Plain Builder.
The new magazine will still include information on small, special-use residential buildings and additions. It will also include other building types — including post-frame construction — and emphasize the role of the Plain Communities in construction. Naturally, we welcome everyone to read and subscribe to the magazine, but the editorial will focus on the interests and information needs of this vital and growing portion of our industry.
We appreciate feedback and welcome editorial ideas and article contributions. Thank you for supporting Garage, Shed & Carport Builder Magazine and the shift in focus as it transitions to Plain Builder. FBN
Editor’s Note:
Plain Builder will be delivered four times each year. Subscribe now so you won’t miss a single issue of Plain Builder when it debuts in the Fall. To subscribe, fill out the subscription form on the opposite page and mail to Shield Wall Media Subscriptions, PO Box 255, Iola WI 54945.
