Magazines?? Are they still a thing?

[lucystrother]

I tried to find a thread more related to printed works that were not book-related but with the way the world works now, I feel like this thread might be able to answer my question more substantially.

I live in an area that is very influenced by the arts. Our community puts on a ton of events, attracts tons of tourists, and has art and music talent flowing through its veins. And for some odd reason, I have yet to find a publication showcasing these people. We have a general community magazine, but nothing that specifically calls out the heart of what makes people love this area so much.

So I had a crazy idea - why not make one myself?

But before I go off on this adventure I want to gauge opinion.... are magazines worth it? We're a smaller area with older folk so I thought it'd be a good start, plus I know a great printer. But I'm just not sure if the idea is feasible in this day and age. Would you read a magazine showcasing your town's arts and culture?

Looking for honest cutthroat answers here.

P.S. There is a business plan surrounding this but didn't want to get into the nitty-gritty.

 

[Lime-Yay]

I would, but only if it was given to me. Like we have a community magazine and it’s just sent to me, I guess thanks to the ads? But I would read about art very happily.

 

[Lex]

I think there’s definitely still a niche market for exactly the type of publication you’re describing.

That said, do limited print runs (if any) with the intent of giving those published copies to specific local businesses to drum up readership. Have it otherwise hosted/accessible online and a newsletter subscription to promote new issues.

You will be supported with ad revenue and should try to sell spots to local businesses. No one will pay a subscription fee.

 

[Stytch]

Yes, and they're usually glossy high end things with tons of advertising. (so it can be otherwise free unless people actually want it mailed to them, but that seems more like a second phase than first phase)

I'd do a wee business plan. Suss out costs, don't forget labor (I'm sure you'll pay your writers/photographers/ designers, etc., but so many don't these days) and then maybe do an informal survey of advertisers. (If they'd buy ads, what they'd pay for a full page, etc.) See if you can get column A to come close to column B. There's a chance you can actually turn a profit, if the interest is there on both ends. You may want to even consider local arts grants to support you. Check out whatever your local/regional arts council is. I don't know where you are, but if you don't have one, the nearest big city might administrate those for your area.

One fun thing about print journalism, before venture capitalism and the internet, was it was a bit like printing money, if you did it right. If it costs X for every 6 or 12 pages (the printer will tell you which you should count by) and you can sell enough ads to justify adding the pages, you can just sell more ads and make more money. Often, those back pages are almost all ads in these magazines. Now, paper costs A LOT more than it used to (thanks, covid!) so, the math is mathier, but I see a lot of hyper local arts rags pulling it off, somehow.

Good luck! I hope you keep us updated!

 

[Bitterboots]

I was in a Mother's Market today and was amazed at the selection of niche mags by the check out stand. I think there must be a market for them, (other then Mother's lol), because I bought a $25 Surfer's Journal for my husband's birthday. My feeling is, if you are writing for a specific group of people about things that interest them, they will buy it.

 

[Elenitsa]

We have plenty of literary magazines in Romania, and if it is feasible here, it is everywhere. You got good advice to get funding by advertising the local businesses. Here, all are printed in 100-200 copies only (some even 50) and most of them available for reading online too (pdf or Calameo). Most of these magazines belong to writers groups.

The publisher supports a part of the printing expenses. Some magazines get it supplemented by local businesses, others do not succeed to do so. Some publishers sponsor contests (with prizes in books from that publishing house) and the good contributions get to be published in the magazines. This is how they discover new talents.

None of the contributors gets paid, not even the chief editor, this is a labour of love for culture, otherwise the costs would be unbearable. But so the poets, prose writers and those into visual arts get known wider than in the literary/ art group they belong to, and it is a good thing. Besides, these are publishing credits which count... (And prizes too, when there are contests).

 

[razibahmed]

In my country, it is almost extinct.

 

[Sophia Biancardini]

Niche magazines definitely will sell. General magazines, meant to appeal to a broad audience, are less likely to sell.

Let's give an example: I am an avid tea drinker. Not just any tea, but loose leaf, high-quality tea imported from China, Taiwan and Japan. If I were to find out there's a tea magazine that, for instance, reviews the latest batches of harvested tea leaves, I'd definitely buy it as long as it's properly priced.

As long as you price your magazine correctly, I don't see a reason it wouldn't sell.