Who is reading this? You are, obviously.
But who are you?
Why do you read The Plain Truth?
Do you enjoy it?
Do you find it helpful?
What do you like most about the magazine?
What don't you like?
These were some of the things we wanted to find out from the Reader Survey we conducted recently. We sent a questionnaire with The Plain Truth to about half of our 22,000 subscribers, asking them to tell us a bit about themselves, and what they thought of the magazine.
Our thanks to all those - almost 1,000 - who took the time to return the survey form. It has helped us get to know you better. We thought you might be interested in some of the results.
Who are the readers?
· The survey showed that our readers come from all across the spectrum - young, middle-aged and elderly, male and female. Approximately one out of six readers said they had some kind of leadership role in a church, school or other religious organisation.
· We were not surprised that many of our readers told us they were elderly, and struggling to get by on very limited incomes. The Plain Truth, because it is free, is the only magazine they can 'afford'. We feel a great sense of responsibility to such readers. Many of them live lonely lives, cut off from friends, family and even church. It is important that people keep learning, thinking and growing throughout their lives, and we are grateful for the opportunity to send our magazine to them. This is only possible because many readers support us beyond the cost of their own subscription (about £9 a year).
· We were interested to know how much of the magazine you actually read. It is unrealistic to expect everyone to read everything. The editorials, letters pages and 'Hmm' are the most popular features, but most of you seem to find plenty to interest you. A very high percentage of those surveyed told us they read each issue from cover to cover.
· Many of you said you preferred shorter articles - one or two pages. We will keep that in mind. However, our goal is to bring you not just information, but understanding. As Albert Einstein once said; 'Make things as simple as possible, but not more simple than they are'. Some subjects really do need a bit more space if we are to do them justice.
· From time to time we run a short story. Most of you seemed to like them. You also enjoy articles about current events and trends in the world. You would like to see more on Bible History. We'll see what we can do.
· Overall, you told us that we have the editorial mix of features about right.
· We were very interested in the answers to the question; 'What do you do with your Plain Truth when you have finished with it? About 25% keep it indefinitely, and another 25% hang on to it for a while. But over half the readers surveyed said that they pass it on to someone else. That is very encouraging. It effectively increases our circulation without increasing the cost - very important since we do not charge a subscription price.
This might be a good place to explain our policy of asking all readers once a year to let us know that they do want to continue their subscription. If we had a regular paid subscription it would not matter if it went unread. But since we do not, every copy counts. Obviously we have considered paid subscriptions, but we have decided to maintain our current policy for as long as we can. The knowledge of God is being lost in Britain today. We want to do our part to shine a light in some dark corners, and make the message of the Gospel understandable to as many as we can. We understand that not all our readers are ready to make a financial commitment, and as we said-many are simply unable to afford anything but a free magazine.
A free magazine does cost something to produce, and about one in ten readers support us with regular contributions. Meeting the expenses is a constant challenge. But it is always more worth than it is trouble, and we will continue to produce The Plain Truth as long as the resources are available.
So thank you to everyone who responded. It has helped us plan the menu. We have many interesting features in the works, which we hope will encourage, inform and inspire you. Please do continue to remember us, in your prayers.
Comments from the survey:
It's my only source of Christian information at present.
I always look forward to receiving The Plain Truth for an interesting read.
For me it is just about right.
A good variety, but I get on better with shorter articles.
The Plain Truth is in a minority for teaching the Gospel. Christ lives between the pages.
I would enjoy more jokes and cartoons, and heart warming short stories.
I find some of the science articles a bit involved.
Try to keep to topics of everyday news without a political bias.
It is not always comfortable reading, but it is always thought provoking.
More 'short read' articles. I want to read - not study.
You have been a very great help and support for me in 18 years as a single parent.
The Plain Truth introduced us to God and continues to excite us, educate and inform us. What more can we ask?
I am not in touch with the church at the moment. I rarely go out. I need The Plain Truth to keep me in touch.
I have no religion and no God. I have read The Plain Truth for many years. You have not changed my views.
I like the way it reaches out to other denominations.
I don't belong to any church or organisation and it's good to know there other Christians out there.
There is always something interesting - I am a wife, mother and teacher.
Thank you. It has to replace church going as I am disabled and 92.
Download our Quest Summaries Excel Spreadsheet.
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