How many times have you heard people infer that b2b editors are not real journalists?

This stereotype is one that we're attempting to break with the joint TABPI/ASBPE book Journalism that Matters. Published by Marion Street Press (http://www.marionstreetpress.com), the book examines 17 different instances where a b2b magazine changed something in its industry, through investigative reporting.

I encourage you to buy a copy of the book ... for yourself, for a friend, for the fresh new editor you just hired. At less than $20, it's a steal.

Also, if you have contact with any old journalism professors, send them the link ... why not start with the journalism students, and begin to change their minds about the b2b world before they graduate?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Why does a publication have to probe into something and find bad to be considered "real journalism"? What about a publication that positively motivates the industry it covers through good journalism and use of the bully pulpit to address industry issues?

I agree that B2B journalism doesn't have to be investigative to have an impact. Indeed, I would say the best B2B journalism is the kind that promotes best practices in an industry. There was a piece featured a few years back in magazine for security professionals in which the writer detailed a new kind of security contract that had proven to be highly effective at getting buy-in from the security contractor, and thus led to improved performance by security guards at a site. Some executives who read the article were inspired to try it at their company. I haven't heard how these other attempts fared, but the fact that the article led to this exchange of best practices shows how effective the article was. That's good B2B journalism. That story was included in the same book mentioned above, Journalism That Matters, which I helped edit. There was another piece in therem by TED (The Electrical Distributors) that used the bully pulpit exactly as you say. The magazine called for a change in rebate practices--something evreybody in the industry wanted. It took the magazine to start pushing for the industry to meet to institute changes. So, that's another good example of successful B2B journalism that isn't about investigative reporting. Thanks for the question.