Clem Jackson sets out how you can make the most of the new consumer magazine being launched in July and other initiatives to help you in your business

As announced in last month’s issue of Christian Marketplace (p6-7), after this month the title will revert to a bi-monthly with the next issue of the trade magazine (August-September) appearing at the end of July.

Less is more

But less is often more – and in this case that is true. Not only will subscribers continue to receive six print (and digital) issues a year of what you tell us is a very highly-regarded publication within the trade, but from July you will also receive regular updates from me via the new Christian Marketplace E-Newsletter, which will initially appear fortnightly in the intervening period. In this way we will be able to bring you even more up-to-date industry and product news – and more regularly too.

A new resource for retailers

In addition to all that we are launching our new consumer magazine The Christian Marketplace – at your fingertips, a title which may at first be confusing but which will be a completely new name for most of the target readership – your customers. It also builds on our strong brand name within the trade too.

Up to 200 copies of this magazine are being made available to every single Christian bookshop in the country FREE OF CHARGE and will be delivered direct to you by CPO. For those outlets requiring less than 200 we can deliver in multiples of 50; for those who want more than 200 then there will be a nominal charge of £5.00 for every 50 additional copies.

The magazine, which will have an initial print-run of 100,000 copies will be published six times a year with the first issue (July/August) available from mid-June. It will also appear in both Christianity and Youthwork magazines as a stitched insert and it will be made available to Conference Centres. I would also encourage you to order copies for your book agents/church bookstall operators, and key church leaders in your community.

We are launching this magazine as a sales promotion tool for retailers to pass on to their customers. We envisage that every issue will contain details of around 200 new and best selling product lines – the sort of product people will buy if they know about it. There will also be featured products and the occasional competition to engage the interest of your customers. As a retailer you will also have space on the outside back cover to place your shop details and any offers/promotions/events you may be planning.

How to order

If you haven’t already placed your order for copies of The Christian Marketplace then please send an email with The Christian Marketplace Order in the subject line to Leon Harris at leon.harris@premier. org.uk or call him on 01892 611170 giving details of your shop address and the number of copies you would like. You need to place your order by 10th June 2010 latest to ensure you receive copies of Issue 1.

E-Newsletter

If you want to receive our Christian Marketplace ‘E-Newsletter’ and you don’t currently receive a digital copy of Christian Marketplace you can sign up on our homepage on this site, or send an email to Leon as above and he will arrange to add your details to the list.

A message to suppliers

And finally, a word to all trade suppliers and distributors. At their recent AGM, the BA CBG agreed to produce a new supplier and distributor listing for its members. We would also like to update our own Directory of Suppliers on our website. So, suppliers and distributors please take a couple of minutes to check your details in our directory and email any changes/ amendments/additions to me at clem.jackson@ premier.org.uk by 20th June and we will endeavour to re-launch our Directory of Suppliers in July.

So don’t delay, sign-up for The Christian Marketplace today and add a further marketing tool to your box.