Reader Survey

A random sample of households in Burpham and Jacobs Well were asked to complete a paper survey and return it in a stamped addressed envelope.

Around 50% of those invited gave us their feedback and what they said was summarised in editorial of the March/April issue.  A more comprehensive report appears below.

Soon after the January/February 2012 issue of the magazine was delivered we asked a random sample of householders to let us have their views about the magazine generally. We are extremely grateful to those who took the time and trouble to help us and have learned a few things that we can act upon.

Several people commented on the proportion of "reading" to adverts. We can only reiterate that without advertisements we simply couldn't function. The magazine itself is of course "delivered free" but costs in terms of printing, delivering and simply getting it all together are not insignificant. Interestingly, one message that came through again and again was that residents value awareness of what local tradespeople can offer and more than half said they'd followed up and contacted at least one advertiser on the strength of their advertisement.

Our aim remains to have a ratio of 1 page of non-advertisement content to 4 of advertisements and we more or less meet this in each issue. We include articles of news, interest and amusement including items that the advertisers themselves offer. However, we'd love to have much more from readers. If there was interest in a letters page we'd somehow find room for one. We have in the past featured local residents, their reminiscences and some historical material, but have undoubtedly only scratched the surface of potential. What we have realised is that far fewer people than we'd imagined want to use email and the internet when it comes to contacting the magazine, so we now publicise a postal address to which your correspondence can be sent or hand-delivered. We will also encourage more people to ring us up and chat but it's really important not confuse us with the local Community Association (Residents Association in Jacobs Well), Borough and County Councillors or Neighbourhood Watch and Police who have clearly different roles and ways of helping the community. Where we know them, we will include contact details for all these in each magazine from now onwards.

The survey showed us that our regular articles such as the Gardening Club page are valued. We'd be happy to have similar pages on, say, local sport and similar goings-on. Quizzes and puzzles are also popular and we've no monopoly on such ideas, so "bring it on!".

Finally, this reader feedback will also be seen by advertisers, so we'll see if any take up the suggestion of discounts for readers.

It is really satisfying for us (and valuable news for advertisers) that 4 out of 5 magazines stay in the house to which they're delivered until the next issue.

Advertisers Survey

Advertisers that have appeared in recent issues were asked by email to complete an online survey.  Again around 50% replied, and again their contributions were gratefully received.  Results are shown below.

  

1. Contacting Burpham Pages (BP)
	Very good	OK
Handling enquiries	96%	4%
general contact	88%	12%
Billing	67%	33%
2. As a result of advertising with BP business has …
Increased a lot	Increased a bit	Stayed the same
17%	58%	25%
3. BP's charges are
Good value	Fair
33%	67%
4. The BP magazine itself…..
	Should be less	Is about right	more please
number of pages		100%
page size	4%	96%
distribution area		71%	29%
frequency(bi-monthly)		91%	9%
5. The BP website .....
	Important	Unimportant
	71%	29%
6. Location of advertisers
I live in Burpham		21%
I live in Jacobs Well		8%
I don't live in either of these areas		58%
My business is based in Burpham		21%
My business is based in Jabobs well		4%
My business is not based in either of these areas		46%
I undertake some of my business in Burpham		46%
I undertake most of my business in Burpham		8%
I undertake some of my business in Jacobs Well		46%
I undertake most of my business in Jacobs Well		0%
I am interested in what goes on in Burpham		54%
I am interested in what goes on in Jacobs Well		50%
I have no connections with Burpham or Jacobs Well		42%
7. Do you (advertiser) have own website?	Yes	No
	83%	17%
Comments made at the end of the survey
"I think you have content about right - i.e. not totally adverts but some editorial as well. I like it - and it's cheerful and colourful"
"The owners are very professional."
"A good magazine that could be expanded to cover areas of Guildford and surrounding villages"
"We are quite happy with it. The mere fact you have conducted this survey prooves that you care about your magazine and its advertisers"
"I'd of course like wider coverage with more frequency, but I understand the limitations. People like this publication, particularly the older generation. Keep up the good work"
"Very good useful publication that is valuable to the local area and community"
"Useful publication - the sort of thing people will keep in their homes for reference when they need to find someone."
"A very professional organisation. Easily approachable. Offers an excellent service to all Burpham businesses and current information to residents."
"Clubs & classes section (mini free ads.) would be a great advantage"
"I am new to this publication and my enquiries have been very slow in coming however, this will not stop me from advertising as I like to attract business from all areas of Guildford"