The independent magazine for Norfolk and Suffolk village people

Reader's Survey

Winter 2010

We randomly selected 250 Village People readers from different villages and asked them the following questions via the world’s leading provider of web-based survey solutions, surveymonkey.com.

We’ve found out lots that we wanted to know about what our readers think about Village People magazine.

Their answers are fantastic and show that the publication has established itself as a valuable, useful and reliable source of information on local news, people, businesses and services in South Norfolk.

How do you read your Village People magazine?
Cover to cover 58%
Dip in and out 41%
Goes straight to recycling 1%
How useful to you and your family is Village People magazine?
Extremely 22%
Very 75%
Not at all 3%
How long do you keep each issue of Village People?
Forever 7%
Until the next issue arrives 56%
Several weeks 26%
Few days 11%
How often do you refer to Village People during each two month period?
All the time 16%
Regularly 76%
Not at all 8%
What do you really like about Village People?
Lots and lots of repetition on this question, so here are the main points from the survey:
  • The vast range of features - there's something for everyone. Plus the fact that I can source local businesses instead of going through the Yellow Pages.
  • I really like the reviews of local services and the ads for local trade’s people. It is the first place I look now when I need someone as I have been so pleased with the quality of the service I have received from your advertisers.
  • The design of it, it looks fantastic - as good as any lifestyle magazine I regularly get!
  • The amount of variety between adverts and articles. You always find out some thing new. It has also been useful in finding people to do jobs, etc.
  • It feels like the very ESSENCE of Norfolk.
  • Lets you know what is happening around the local villages. Useful local Business Directory.
  • THAT IT DOES WHAT IT SAYS ON THE LABEL!
  • My family and I are relatively new to village life and Village People has provided us with valuable information about what goes on in our community.
  • Village People keeps us updated on a lot of local information & activities from walks to local pubs to local trades men & is always an excellent & entertaining read for all of they family.
    Keep up the good work all at Village People!!
  • It advertises local businesses and I would rather support local businesses than nationwide ones.
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  • Has lots of interesting articles about where we live and the people who live here.
  • Quality of the printed paper and the very useful tips and information contained within it.
  • Most of it - there can never be enough articles in it.
  • The articles are relevant to my local area and the traders small ads are very useful - I found a local traditional plasterer through the magazine and am currently employing him.
  • Walks, local advertisers e.g. handy men.
  • The good quality paper, the articles and the adverts.
  • Small but packed full of information.
  • The restaurant reviews & walks.
  • That it features such local and handy information and there are a wide variety of articles for all ages.
  • Reviews and advertisements of local businesses: I discovered and have repeatedly used an excellent joinery advertised in Village People.
  • Informative local content.
  • Local news and reviews.
    Awareness of local trades and professions.
    Hints and tips e.g. freecycle.
  • The variety of local articles - especially the walk this month!
  • Very well written and helpful.
  • That it is all about our local business folk and services.
  • Looking out for the competitions (although I never win!)
  • ITS ARTICLES ARE TOPICAL.
  • The variety of content, the information and some of the advertisements. It is also beautifully presented and in a nice size format.
  • The features about gardening and wildlife. General info about what is going on locally.
  • Nice neat size & plenty of content.
  • The variety of information that it contains.
  • Information on local services/activities.
  • I like reading about local businesses, local walks and I also enjoy competitions.
  • Local businesses + Brightly displayed.
  • The different articles relating to the local area.
  • It is a full magazine with articles and adverts for local businesses.
  • Well produced.
  • Appealing and colourful and useful information.
  • My ad and the customers it gains for me, absolutely BRILLIANT!!
  • Lots of interesting bits and good adverts.
  • The variety. The fresh clean bright appearance. It’s free. It’s delivered. 5 minute interview, computer & finance articles.
  • Pub reviews and local walks.
  • The fact that local people, organisations and businesses are featured.
  • The apperarance.
    The way it’s laid out.
    Useful advertisers.
  • The walks. Have cut out and kept them all!
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Anything you don't like?
88% of readers answered “no”. Here are the other points raised:
  • Some of the content is a bit advertorial and I don't appreciate this when I'm not interested in that kind of product or service.
  • As far as the adverts go, it would be good to have providence, i.e. comments from those that have used the service advertised.
  • It should come out monthly.
What regular features to you read / like?
Ladies who Lunch (local pub reviews) 75%
Village Wanderings (local walks) 76%
Garden Jottings from Ken (gardening) 60%
Recipes 72%
Norwich Theatre Royal (theatre reviews) 53%
Fashion from Chapelfield (fashion) 31%
Health & Fitness 41%
5 Minute Interview 63%
Computer Issues (IT Adviser) 35%
Finance Issues 30%
Mobile Library Times 14%
Motoring (Caroline's Cars) 19%
Film Reviews 49%
Book Reviews 48%
Competitions 67%
How can Village People improve and be more useful?
The overwhelming answer to this question was that our readers would like a more frequent copy... i.e. monthly!
  • I don't think that it can. It is a high quality brochure full of interesting articles and it’s free.
  • Just keep going, it's brilliant!!!
  • Car reviews and local discounts.
  • Keep doing what you're doing is all I'd say. One point though, when looking at some of the adverts, it would be helpful if the address of where the trade’s people/services are based were available.
  • Reviews of local shops, what’s opening / closing. Places to go - National Trust events, other local events.
  • Discount vouchers.
  • Interview local businesses so we can know more about them and therefore support them more.
  • Contact a local village hall each issue and print what’s on at the hall (events, classes, clubs etc) with contact details. As I’m sure there are loads of people who would go to these clubs if they knew what was on and where!
  • Put a Sudoku in and/or a crossword and other stuff like that. Even high-end users do them when no one is looking!
  • Keep going... it is an excellent local resource.
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  • It's perfect just the way it is.
  • You have got it just right!
  • Advertise local "eco-friendly" initiatives like fuel-pooling?
  • It needs to have a feature about the Falabella Miniature Horse - the rare breed from Argentina which has its base stud in Norfolk.
  • Maybe a bit more local walks / cycle rides / and goings on.
  • I honestly think it can’t be MORE useful!
  • If it ain't broke don't try to fix it!
  • Would you like some contributions from a local writing group? We could send regular poems or short stories? I find Village People really useful thanks.
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What's your age bracket?
Under 25 1%
Between 25 and 40 24%
Between 40 and 55 34%
Over 55 41%
For all enquiries, contact Lily on 0330 660 0325
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