What the heck is a custom publication?

CatMuse33 · Dec 22, 2007

I wonder this every time I look at this thread. "trade magazines" are pretty clear. Are "custom publications" niche markets (ie, paintball, medieval re-enactment, teddy bear collecting?) What makes them different from a trade magazine? (Are trade magazines b-to-b only?)

I notice this section doesn't get as much action as the main board, but there are a lot of great people here, and a lot of people asking for advice that applies to all forms of freelance writing.

But I was really just wondering what a custom publication is.

ATP · Dec 22, 2007

entire site search:
advanced search - custom publication - search entire post
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/search.php?searchid=3154983

trade mags forum search:
advanced search - custom publication - search entire post
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/search.php?searchid=3154990

CatMuse33 · Dec 22, 2007

The first link came up with no matches found, ATP.

What am I missing?

Dawn

ATP · Dec 23, 2007

CatMuse33 said:
The first link came up with no matches found, ATP. What am I missing?

entire site search:
advanced search - custom publication - search entire post
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/search.php?searchid=3154983

There are problems with the links generated by an archives search; this is not the first time that this has happened. I am not sure if the problem is confined to this site, or found among other sites using vBulletin software.

In such cases, the only thing to do is undertake the search in the way mentioned, yourself.Entire site search is found at the top of the page, near the 'Welcome Catmuse33' sign. Click>advanced search> type custom publication>search entire post is the default choice. You ought to retrieve 26 threads. To be a bit quicker, you can also choose 'show posts', a choice found near the bottom of the advanced search page.

JennaGlatzer · Dec 23, 2007

Cat, a custom publication is a term for magazines that are published by businesses or nonprofit groups for their own customers, employees, or shareholders-- for example, CVS has its own little health magazine, several hotels have their own magazines... you can find more info here: http://www.custompublishingcouncil.com.

Featurewriter · Dec 24, 2007

Daffy-nitions

Dang, Jenna! I've been waiting 3-4 years for you to explain this! :Shrug:

CatMuse33 · Dec 24, 2007

Featurewriter,
So glad I wasn't the only one who didn't know!
Jenna, thanks so much!

And Merry Christmas Eve!

This is going to sound wierd, maybe, but BJs wholesale club has a members-only magazine like that and I have always wanted to be published in it but wasn't sure how to pursue it or what the pay was for that type of magazine--or if they are even open to freelancers.

Thanks for the website, I will check it out. I am one of the people who actually *reads* those free custom pubs.

Now I see why it falls under the category with trade magazines. The goal *is* to sell product, but not in a way that hits the reader over the head with the message.

Dawn

limitedtimeauthor · Dec 24, 2007

I've been looking for info on Sam's Club Source. It isn't weird at all, Cat.

Thanks for the link, Jenna.

ltd.

CatMuse33 · Dec 24, 2007

I think I'd just like to get *back* some of the thousands of dollars I've spent at BJs over the years--in the form of a paycheck! LOL

They are informative little magazines that seem fun to write for. I know I always read mine when it comes in the mail. That and the little Kraft Foods magazine. GREAT recipes in there.
Dawn

SouthernFriedJulie · Jan 30, 2008

I picked up a recurring gig with one, didn't even know what the proper term was! Found it by accident, suggested that the article be monthly, now it will be. These things seem to pay pretty well, too.

benbradley · Jan 30, 2008

CatMuse33 said:
I wonder this every time I look at this thread. "trade magazines" are pretty clear. Are "custom publications" niche markets (ie, paintball, medieval re-enactment, teddy bear collecting?) What makes them different from a trade magazine? (Are trade magazines b-to-b only?)

As far as trade magazines, they're "business" but it seems they're targeted to specific individuals in a business (by title or job fuction). As an electronics designer/embedded programmer I've received several of these either at the office or at home. I still get regular email newsletters from a couple even though I haven't had a job in the field in a few years. I suppose a trade magazine always goes "to a business or a professional."

I hadn't heard of "custom publication" either, though I'd heard of the term "house organ" for a company's publication meant to be read by its employees.
From m-w.com:

Main Entry: house organ
Function:noun
Date:1907
: a periodical distributed by a business concern among its employees, sales personnel, or customers

CasaIndigo · Jun 29, 2008

Sam's and BJ's were mentioned. Costco has a quality membership magazine as well.

The Don · Feb 2, 2010

O.K. Would a "custom publications department" of a newspaper likely be the same type of marketing print?

Are their specific types of materials newspaper custom publications departments generate? My local newspaper is looking for freelance writers in this dept.

Before I call and ask them what they are looking for, at the risk of sounding ignorant, (which I guess I am about this) I'm trying to do a little research.

limitedtimeauthor · Feb 2, 2010

The Don,

You're right. They are most likely looking for writers for spin-off type publications that are paid--in whole or in part--by advertisers. But they don't want it to look or read like ads; they would want it to read like a consumer magazine.

There's no harm, though, in asking what, specifically, they are looking for. Each department of this type might have its own idea of what the publication should be. You'll sound smart--not ignorant--for asking.

The Don · Feb 2, 2010

Convinced me

limitedtimeauthor said:
The Don,

You're right. They are most likely looking for writers for spin-off type publications that are paid--in whole or in part--by advertisers. But they don't want it to look or read like ads; they would want it to read like a consumer magazine.

There's no harm, though, in asking what, specifically, they are looking for. Each department of this type might have its own idea of what the publication should be. You'll sound smart--not ignorant--for asking.

I am certainly not an ad writer, so since there is a good chance this is not what they are wanting, I'll likely pursue this. Giving them a call does seem a good idea, particularly since they are asking for writing samples.

Will post what I am told after speaking with them, for anyone curious.

Thanks for the info... and a bit of motivation

What the heck is a custom publication?

CatMuse33

Just hitting send

ATP

What happened to my LIFE?!

CatMuse33

Just hitting send

ATP

What happened to my LIFE?!

JennaGlatzer

wishes you happiness

Featurewriter

hoarse whisperer

CatMuse33

Just hitting send

limitedtimeauthor

Super duper user

CatMuse33

Just hitting send

SouthernFriedJulie

Hidin' the bodies

benbradley

It's a doggy dog world

CasaIndigo

The Don

Life is My Illusion

limitedtimeauthor

Super duper user

The Don

Life is My Illusion