Magazine publishing is a booming industry. Left and right you will see magazines that are being sold in groceries and in bookstores. Be it tabloid, fashion magazines or niche publications, nobody can deny the fact that magazines are on the rise nowadays. In fact, there is a magazine for almost all subject areas, science, arts, sports. There are even magazines that cater to people who collect coins or dolls or antiques, a market that one would think will not have many readers. But surprisingly these niche magazines are raking profits. This is perhaps because their target market is really small, therefore, easier to reach and market to.
Niche magazines are also closer to their readers, hence, they can ask them what articles they want featured. The community is really small so in a way, everybody knows everybody.
But the success of a magazine does not only depend on the marketing alone. In order to survive in this cutthroat world of magazine publishing, you need great content, great writers and great layout. Here is a rundown of these three and how they affect a magazine selling point.
1. Content
This is the number one item that you need to take care of when creating a magazine. Without great articles to read, why would your writers want to buy your magazines. Remember that they have to pay for the mags so you have to make sure that the magazine is well worth the expense. To ensure good content, you have to think of storylines that are interesting for the readers. You can do this research by asking the readers themselves what they want to read. Post comment and suggestion boxes in the magazine as well as in areas where you feel your target market goes. Ask for their opinion. You will be surprised at the ideas that they will give you.
In addition to providing interesting features is coming up with really clean materials. This means that they are free from errors and have been edited several times over.
2. Writers
No matter how interesting the subject matter is, if you don’t have good writers to put them into words, your content will still suffer. Good writers are not only those that are good in grammar and spelling but also those who can weave tales in such as a way that is easy to read and interesting.
Finding good writers is however hard to do. If you have previously been part of the industry, you already have an edge in your headhunting days. However, if you have no idea where to get writers, you can try posting on sites that specializes in writers. People there may see the post and apply personally or members may recommend or refer someone they know.
3. Layout
Articles are not the only come ons in a magazine. Often times, people do not read the articles anymore. they just look at the pictures. People nowadays have become very visual in their approach. The same goes with reading. If you want people to find your page interesting, look for pictures that are eye-catching. Study the layouts of major magazines and try to be inspired by their art. Layouts is after all art in itself. Layouts often support the articles in the magazines.
These three factors will make your magazine a big success.