CC subscriptions increasing despite tough times for publishing

Last fall, CC launched a subscription campaign with an audacious goal: to gain 500 new subscribers by the end of January.

We knew this might be a stretch. Previous CC subscription campaigns typically aimed for 200 new subscribers. But the reality is that we need to grow to be sustainable and to continue our journalism ministry. Subscriptions currently account for about 60 percent of our revenue, which is higher than industry averages. Each subscription helps keep us afloat.

The number 500 also has extra meaning, with 2017 being the 500th year of the Reformation.

We are delighted to report that we’ve gained 225 new subscribers so far, with more new ones coming in every week! Many people are also taking advantage of our free, three-issue trial option. We’ll continue quietly working toward that 500 goal – with Reformation Day (Oct. 31) as an extended end date. Our sincere thanks to everyone who bought a new subscription or has renewed for another year!

New initiatives

To help further spread our Reformed journalism and reach potential new subscribers we undertook a few larger outreach initiatives in December. Our Christmas issue was 32 pages rather than the usual 20, thanks to new advertising, which also allowed us to distribute an extra 8,000 free copies to Reformed churches and other organizations throughout Canada.

We also shared an insert about CC in the Presbyterian Record’s final issue, inviting their subscribers to check us out as a sister periodical. We are grateful to former Record editor David Harris for his endorsement: “Presbyterian Record readers have a lot in common with Christian Courier readers: you want ‘interesting and informative’ articles that make you think, not ones that tell you what to think. For original news and features from a Christ-centred perspective, Christian Courier is an independent publication worth checking out.”

These past few months we’ve also had some amazing letters of support and encouragement from our community.

Business owner Jason Stoter said that, as traditional news sources disappear, he appreciates receiving CC in his mailbox every two weeks. “It has a good balance of critical thinking and researched stories, juxtaposed against some light-hearted human interest stories,” he said.

At the end of January, the CC Facebook page ran its first weekend contest with the offer of a free subscription. We were heartened by all the people who entered, many of whom shared how much they already enjoy CC’s content or would like their own subscription:

“Awesome paper. My wife gave it to me for my birthday and I have greatly appreciated the many great articles that are printed in it.” – Al K.

“We’ve been subscribers since our wedding 25 years ago, thanks to my mother-in-law. If we win, we’ll certainly give the subscription to someone else. Thanks for all the great writing.” – Richard B.

Still thinking of giving a gift subscription?

Receiving this issue as part of a three-issue trial period?

Or are you reading a borrowed copy? We hope you’ll consider taking that next step.

Call 1-800-969-4838 or visit www.christiancourier.ca to subscribe today!

This year we’ll also be undertaking a donation drive along with new marketing efforts, so keep watching these pages for more to come.