Magazine Publishing is a good business to get into. However, the industry is quite cluttered these days in the sense that it is becoming more and more difficult to find a new formula that can beat the already existing titles. Add to that the pressure of competing against giants in the industry who have been around for so many years along with the new players who seem to have bottomless finances that they can afford to experiment with different titles before retaining the one that will bring them the highest return investment. That is how cutthroat it will be for someone who decides to join the foray.
Still, businessmen do not count out magazine publishing as a possible venture and no one can blame them. For one, who has not seen the hit series Ugly Betty? Watching it alone can convince you that running a magazine is a wonderful challenge. Yes, it is not all glamorous but there is money in it for the Mead family to be that rich. In the real world, some of the old magazine magnates have sold their shares but the point is someone else is buying it and it’s not like they bought these companies at a cheap price. So there, now that you are quite sold to start up your own magazine you want to know what should be the first step.
You have to play with concepts first and you can start by brainstorming in your own. The mere interest in joining this world would suggest that you actually like reading magazines. Keep up with the reading but complement it with reading articles about what goes on behind the cover stories and what in general is happening to your favorite titles. After that then you can go about observing other people and what they read. Do not stick to one area, go out of your comfort zone and check out what the rest of the people are reading. These exercises will help you a lot in coming up with fresh ideas.
When you have already picked certain interesting niche concepts then choose the one that you think you are more interested in and capable of handling as well because interest alone will not be enough. If you feel like sense and style are your strengths then go on fashion lifestyle but you have to figure out to veer away from what is already there. If music is your passion then think of ways on how you can beat Rolling Stones. As mentioned earlier, this is no easy endeavor you are taking so be very prepared. It is best to start off with a very strong concept and then you can wing it afterwards.
Magazine publishing concepts are bountiful but again a word of caution because it is in pinpointing the one thing that works best for your decided target market that will spell your ultimate success or doom. Upon learning that, make sure that you invest time and energy in coming up with that winning concept. It sound daunting but if you think you have it then do not be afraid.
Rest assured that when you have that concept thing covered then it is safe to say that you are already halfway to making your business work and which can also mean future success is not far along.