Interview With Editor/Professional Journalist.

*For Magazine Journalism Assessment.
Submitted 01/05/2014

Michael McFarlane is a former publisher/editor who has a vast amount of experience in the audio visual industry; having worked to produce a number of 'specialised' magazines in South Africa. 

HCJ Statistics #5

The end of my previous post sparked the start of a definitive increase in pageviews which had peaked to a little over *2,000 on 17th February 2014. The past fortnight has seen this number continue to increase, with the highest amount of pageviews equalling *3,121 on 26^th February 2014. The magazine has also managed to increase its international audience, with approximately *50% recorded originating from the US. With this in mind, a French translation of ‘The Great Gatsby’ piece has been uploaded alongside the birth of a new tab, which is clearly advertised on the front page.

Circulation figures date from 04.03.2014 via alexa.com.

WEBSITE NAME	GLOBAL RANK	UK RANK
BA-JOURNALISM.CO.UK	7,549,124	-
NEWPHILOSOPHER.COM	176,116	2,341 (AUS)
PHILOSOPHYNOW.ORG	304,471	110,466 (US)
PHILOSOPHYBITES.COM	957,533	-
DIALECTICONLINE.WORDPRESS.COM	8,539,089	-

The BA JOURNALISM site overall has seen a steep decline in global rank, with a significant drop of minus *2,801,437 over the past couple weeks. I would like to think this decrease is a result of the expanding development of the site’s UK rank, which I will continue to monitor over the coming fortnight.  

HCJ Statistics #4

It is important for a magazine to stay ‘on trend’ when it comes to their content. One key example of this was my in-depth analysis of “The Great Gatsby,” complete with strong imagery from a philosophical photo shoot produced by the former WINOL fashion team. I believe this article in particular managed to acquire the magazine *1,000 pageviews three times in the week commencing 2^nd February 2014 (see table below).

This has been the highest target the magazine has achieved this semester; reaping the promotional benefits of its newly found social media. This post will mainly focus on the deeper aspects of statistical data, such as bounce rates, etc.

Circulation figures date from 16.02.2014 via alexa.com. 

WEBSITE NAME	GLOBAL RANK	UK RANK
BA-JOURNALISM.CO.UK	4,747,687	-
NEWPHILOSOPHER.COM	172,268	2,231 (AUS)
PHILOSOPHYNOW.ORG	318,424	113,577 (US)
PHILOSOPHYBITES.COM	1,002,378	-
DIALECTICONLINE.WORDPRESS.COM	8,659,763	-

It has been recorded that people currently spend an average of *5 minutes per day on the BA JOURNALISM site compared to the *6 minutes acquired by the more upmarket NEWPHILOSOPHER. In regards to bounce rates, BA JOURNALISM is practically non-existent; with PHILOSOPHYBITES taking the lead with an average of *70%. In response to these figures, I shall begin the “treatment” stage of editing; actively subbing lecture notes in an attempt to clean up the initial site. Regular SEO checks should also help to improve this aspect.

Number of pageviews recorded (below) date from 2^nd February 2014 to 15^th February 2014 via Slimstat.

HCJ Statistics #3

Over the past couple weeks, more content has been uploaded relating to popular culture (2/12) accompanied by illustrations generously attributed by a media production student at the University of Winchester. Also see the magazines latest article on Synaesthesia, which has brought a lot of traffic to the site, acquiring *148 hits since its upload on 1^st February 2014 (03.01.2014 via Slimstat).

© Illustration By Devan Fulham

These statistical blog posts have acted as a relative "diagnosis" of the website, detailing what should be improved in order to increase pageviews. This can also be demonstrated through the various plug-in "tools" used such as Slimstat and SEO (Search Engine Optimization). My "objectives" overall were outlined in my proposal; in which I am aiming to achieve around *1,000 pageviews per day. 

Circulation figures date from 02.02.2014 via alexa.com. 

WEBSITE NAME	GLOBAL RANK	UK RANK
BA-JOURNALISM.CO.UK	4,735,852	-
NEWPHILOSOPHER.COM	168,583	2,623 (AUS)
PHILOSOPHYNOW.ORG	335,741	166,631 (US)
PHILOSOPHYBITES.COM	1,041,512	419,276 (US)
DIALECTICONLINE.WORDPRESS.COM	14,156,941	-

 
The table above shows that PHILOSOPHYBITES dominates in global rank by approximately *3,694,340 compared to the main BA JOURNALISM site. The website features a range of in-depth interviews with experts in the field which can be accessed through the medium of podcast. This has inspired me to include something similar within the site in regards to a “discussions” tab, which will consist of a range of philosophical debates by students and lecturers alike. 

HCJ Statistics #2

The (BA Journalism) Philosophy Magazine has got off to a promising start this week with my first article submitted (no. 1/12) under the subcategory of “Computer Games and the Ideology of Nihilism” The magazine also now has its own individual Twitter account (see below) which has gained around 9 followers in approximately four days. I hope to increase this number to at least 100 by the end of the semester.

Circulation figures date from 19.01.2014 via alexa.com.

WEBSITE NAME	GLOBAL RANK	UK RANK
BA-JOURNALISM.CO.UK	4,153,070	-
NEWPHILOSOPHER.COM	181,824	2,451 (AUS)
PHILOSOPHYNOW.ORG	340,814	180,451 (US)
DIALECTICONLINE.WORDPRESS.COM	14,245,084	-

From this table, we can see that the main BA JOURNALISM site has increased in global rank by approximately *478,271 compared to last week. This may partly be due to improvements made within the philosophy magazine, in particular the focus on online promotion to this sector of the site, which should grown stronger in the coming weeks.  

HCJ Statistics #1

For the remainder of my final year at university and as part of my final year project I have acquired the role of Editor for the more academically based (BA Journalism) Philosophy Magazine. 

Over the next few months I will aim to raise the viewing figures significantly by subbing lecture notes, writing and commissioning articles for the site as well as performing regular SEO checks.

A record of the most recent viewing figures will be posted on my blog.

Circulation figures date from 12.01.2014 via alexa.com.

WEBSITE NAME	GLOBAL RANK	UK RANK
BA-JOURNALISM.CO.UK	4,631,341	-
NEWPHILOSOPHER.COM	184,550	2,292 (AUS)
PHILOSOPHYNOW.ORG	362,249	218,987 (US)
DIALECTICONLINE.WORDPRESS.COM	14,291,212	-

The table above shows that the more upmarket NEW PHILOSOPHER MAGAZINE succeeds in global rank. Updated quarterly in print and more frequently on the web, it demonstrates hot topics and controversial debates accompanied by uncanny illustrations that I think would do well to spruce up the HCJ section of the website.

Although ranking the lowest globally, DIALECTICONLINE is aimed at an undergraduate audience yet does well to stand out individually. As a university based magazine (produced by students from the University of York) it is written in the initial form of a blog with the website also offering an interactive print version for readers to skim through.

Number of pageviews recorded (below) date from 5^th January 2014 to 11^th January 2014 via Slimstat.