We’ve written previously about why we made the decision to stop printing the Koe’sister magazine and pivot to this premium-access website instead. Now Hilda Samuels shares why she was excited about this new way to preserve our stories, culture and precious recipes for generations to come, and why you should be too!
As much as I understand the sentimental value and preference for a hardcopy magazine, I believe the magazine’s shift to an online platform in this era is an exciting change.
I happened to open the koesister.com newsletter to check out the chicken soup recipe, which I received in my inbox.
The move to a website brings remarkable advantages. It reaches a global audience, sharing (our) your stories, culture, and recipes with people from different countries, expanding the readership far beyond local boundaries. This exposure is incredible!
You should feel proud to see yourself, or your recipe on this website. Websites save resources, and allows the Koe’sister team to invest in more quality content and future initiatives. Going digital also reduces paper usage which means Koe’sister also now adds to its commitment to a greener planet and supporting eco-friendly practices.
With Koe’sister content now available on our phones, it’s accessible anytime, anywhere. Let’s be honest, who carries a hardcopy magazine while traveling when we already have our phones glued to our hands or in our pockets?
You can share that recipe you just read with someone else, right there, or that story of your, your aunt or your uncle. Your grandchild can even brag about their grandparent!
If you have a subscription then you can read it anytime, anywhere. You can share that recipe you just read with someone else, right there, or that story of your, your aunt or your uncle. Your grandchild can even brag about their grandparent!
You don’t have to fetch the magazine at home or wait for the next family gathering to take a brag about a story your wrote being featured, or having your recipe featured. With it being online you can pull out your phone and do it right there.
The digital platform also opens up possibilities for more images and videos (the magazine could not really feature your beautiful pictures in print), enhancing our reading experience in ways a magazine cannot. Being able to see step-by-step images or video demonstrations are incredibly helpful for those who prefer visual learning. It allows them to follow along with ease and gain confidence in trying out new recipes. The written format in the website caters to those who enjoy reading and following instructions at their own pace. Having both options available ensures that Koe’sister cater to a broader audience, accommodating different learning styles and preferences.
From this data and what people click on the team can also get valuable data, which they wouldn’t have gotten from a book that you paged through at home. They can see if people prefer more recipes or if people love more stories and they can then adjust the content that way. The data collected from our online interactions provides valuable insights, enabling the team to understand what our community loves the most. This feedback allows them to tailor the content and create an even better platform for us to enjoy.
Rather than resisting the tide of change, we choose to join forces with technology to safeguard our stories, culture, and cherished recipes for generations to come (your legacy).
In the ever-evolving world of technology, it’s possible that one day, printed books may be overtaken by Artificial Intelligence. However, by embracing Koe’sister’s website we ensure that valuable content from real people - our amazing Food Fairies - is preserved and celebrated! Rather than resisting the tide of change, we choose to join forces with technology to safeguard our stories, culture, and cherished recipes for generations to come (your legacy). Together, we create a powerful synergy, honouring tradition while embracing the possibilities of the digital age.
While we hold dear the nostalgia of printed magazines, we are also excited about the boundless opportunities the digital era brings. It’s a time of growth, evolution, and inspiration for all of us food fairies. Let’s wholeheartedly support and celebrate this fantastic journey, where creativity and innovation flourish on the online platform, while never forgetting the tradition and legacy of our print roots.
Hats off to Mrs Ingrid Jones and the team. This is what she shared almost a year ago with the announcement of this venture and bold step:
“Life is a series of chapters, and each change is a new page waiting to be written. Embrace the unfolding story as we transition from hardcopy to the digital realm, for it is in these moments of change that we discover our true strength and resilience. Together, as a community of Food Fairies, let’s author a tale of growth, inspiration, and boundless creativity in this exciting new chapter of the magazine’s journey.”
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