Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have worked on many many layouts for Magazines and weekly entertainment newspapers. You can do it all in a month, but it is a JOB. it`s not like getting together with friends and jamming something together... well, unless you want it to look like you jammed something together.

Anyway, make sure all the articles are written, photos are ready and all that. If your end is to sell ad space, I suggest having several "proofs" of the mag printed on a black and white printer and put together by hand. You can use this "mock up" to help sell the space. You can go so far as to place parts where the potential buyer`s ad would go. Give them every visual lead you can. People don`t understand how or where their ad goes or looks like unless you carefully and completely illustrate it.

You will also need technical data to seal the deal. How many copies? What`s the distribution area, how are they being distributed? You are going to have to convince the potential ad buyer that they really will be distributed. That`s one reason for needing a track record and not planning for profits for several years. You might also want to name the printer it will be printed with. Do they have a track record of printing successful mags? You`re going to have to provide a lot of information to convince new "media buyers" that you have a mag that people will read, and that they will have their ad viewed.

What guarantee does the ad buyer have that the production will go off correctly? What happens if his ad is messed up somehow? Printers and Graphic designers make mistakes. What if the distribution date is missed? A new mag typically takes several editions before it is a viable, income generating item. If no one is reading it, why would anyone pay $100 to place an ad in it? You`re going to have to convince people that this mag is worth reading... and is going to be read.

(sorry if some of my grammar is off... I am really busy and didn`t have time to proof read...)

-i`m late... i`m late... for a very important date... no time to say goodbye, hello... i`m late, i`m late, i`m late.


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Thank you (and all who gave input). After much thought and soul searching (and many sleepless nights) I`ve decided to pull out of this friends newspaper/magazine venture. I got a look at the content finally and while it`s probably pretty good, I`ve not been given the necessary information to sell the ads or feel confident to answer the questions. I`m a bit of a perfectionist and don`t feel that the content is there at this point.

I have a lot going on in my life and don`t need the hassle of nurturing someone elses project. I have plenty of my own to deal with. A lot of what I gained from this group of insightful and savvy people helped a lot! You have no idea. I am reminded that 1) Take 24 hours or a weekend to think about something before making a committment (I didn`t do that with this). 2) Listen to your gut (my gut told me there was something wrong). I know other things will come up! Lisa aka ACE

This type of business has always fascinated me.  It would be great to hear from the Magazine gurus on SuN thoughts on how to secure the initial channels of distribution for this and other magazine adventures? Also, how the money side works? eZines are an obvious way of circumventing some of these initial challenges but the take up is probably less. hummm

So, how do you get your product `out there` and making money?

Andrew
http://www.AdvisorGarage.com
http://www.AndrewIve.com

 

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Andrew PS - Here's a free report on creating your startup success. Free report