I was wondering
I was wondering a couple of things. One was how many people read this blog on a regular basis. Another was if you are a regular reader or even if you are not what could I do to improve the magazine or the website. I know more content is probably high on your list and it is high on my own list, but I also need to have the advertisers to pay for the added pages of content. Right now I am probably sitting on two or three issues worth of stories from events we attended, stories were written and for a bunch of different reasons they haven't appeared in the magazine yet. The sad fact about that is it won't be long before we'll be in the midst of a new riding season. I would like to read or hear some of your ideas for improvements that can be made so give it some thought and feel free to either comment on this post or send me an email at jim@thebikinglife.com. I am afraid you'll have to cut and paste that email address.
posted by Jim at 11:07 PM
9 comments
Jim, Publisher 
9 Comments:
Jim--my comment/suggestion would be to keep the magazine focused on St Louis and not try to be everything to everybody. Other magazines have 2-3 pages I'm interested in and then it gets thrown away because I'm not interested in reading about what KC band is preferred by sportbike riders on the other side of the state..you know what I mean? Then there are the "articles" written by advertisers which have NO credibility. You have a real handle on what's going on in the St Louis area and it seems like you're at every event I go to. I'll flip through the others and put them down, but Biking Life is the one that I pick up and take home because it's local.
Jim--I agree with what Anonymous said. I would much rather see what is going on in the St. Louis/Illinois area than what is going on in KC or somewhere else. keep it local. Biking Life is a front to back every page reader for me and not a skim through quickly rag. Keep Up The Good Work!! Steve
To the two previous posters and everyone else, what about regional motorcycle events that don't come to St Louis this year? Any interest in the Cycle World International bike show when it comes to Chicago next month? Or what about the Freestyle Motocross that will be in KC this weekend? Unfortunately neither of these is coming to St Louis this year. What about local vintage bikes and restoration stories? What about regional motorcycle museum events?
I appreciate the comments even the ones that lead readers to where people want to go. Boy that is awful English. We intend to continue to focus on the metro area. We will include stories from other places, I think thee is value as long as they are within an hour or two's ride. Heck I'll ride that far for a beverage. Anyway please keep the comments coming in.
One person has emailed me and said they would like more pictures with faces and for the magazine to be more timely hitting the streets.
One of the reasons for the lateness has been a major advertiser has been behind part of it. I am a procrastinator at times and then this month the way the holidays fell but us way behind the 8-ball.
John: I'm the guy who posted the first comment on 1/6. Honestly, if I wanted to read about national bike shows I probably wouldn't look for it in Biking Life. If somebody attends and writes an article, that's fine--but to me, that's not what the magazine should be primarily about. And personally, I couldn't care less about freestyle motocross in KC, but if I did there are KC-based publications availabe online that will give it plenty of coverage. In other magazines you'll find a "spotlight article" on a band or tattoo shop that is as long as any article concerning bikes or riding. My point is (and was) that Biking Life owns the franchise on events geared toward the metro St Louis cruiser rider, and I would hate to see them lose focus like other magazines have. Events such as the ones you listed can be the "seasoning", but IMO the "meat and potatoes" should be always be local groups, clubs and activities in the St Louis metro area. Anytime you get 3 bikers together in the area to raise money for charity you can bet that Jim will show up and most likely even be taking pictures! That's what I like about Biking Life.
Get the new editions online faster. Please!
How about some centerfolds with hot chicks and bad bikes that I can slap on the garage wall?
I agree you with the previous posting. It would be nice if the web site was more up to date with the new issues and pictures of reent events. Maybe you should get someone who can do this in a more timely manner.
Thanks to all who left comments. I appreciate you taking the time to respond and those that emailed me as well. I wish we could have had a few more but well shit happens.
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