Industries: the appeal of print
1) Writer's Edit journal article
Read this excellent Writer's Edit academic journal article on the independent magazine industry and answer the following questions:1) What is the definition of an independent print magazine?
published without the financial support of a large corporation or institution in which the makers control publication and distribution
2) What does Hamilton (2013) suggest about independent magazines in the digital age?
It is a global niche
3) Why does the article suggest that independent magazines might be succeeding while global magazine publishers such as Bauer are struggling?
Magazines produced by large companies like Bauer Media and News Limited in Australia are struggling to keep readers from moving online. In contrast, those behind independent magazines use digital developments to their advantage, and have a strong online presence.
4) What does the article suggest about how independent publishers use digital media to target their niche audiences?
less trend focused
5) Why is it significant that independent magazines are owned and created by the same people? How does this change the creative process and direction of the magazine?
it gives the magazine a specific feel as intended
6) What does the article suggest regarding the benefits of a 'do-it-yourself' approach to creating independent magazines?
“The term “do-it-yourself/do-it-with-others” emphasises semiotic self-determination in how citizens formulate and live out their identities and actions as citizens”
7) The article discusses the audience appeal of print. Why might audiences love the printed form in the digital age?
internet fatigue
nostalgia
8) What are the challenges in terms of funding and distributing an independent magazine?
Rejection of many of the conventions of mainstream print magazine publishing has created new challenges for founders of independent magazines. Without the financial backing and established presence of a large publisher, founders are finding inventive new means to fund, distribute and pay contributors.
2) Irish Times feature on independent magazines
Now read this short feature in the Irish Times on the growth of independent magazines and answer the following questions:
1) Why are independent magazines so popular?
they create a small community and a less mainstream advertisement look
2) Why is the magazine publishing industry set up to favour the big global conglomerates?
the magazine publishing industry is set up to favour the big publishers – those with multiple titles, large sales teams and economies of scale. These are the titles that rely on advertising (rather than copy sales) for revenue. They have a relatively cheap cover price (a 12-issue subscription to Vogue UK costs less than £20), and are filled with adverts.
3) What does the article suggest regarding finding an audience for an independent magazine?
Make your subject too broad (a magazine about football) and you will get lost in the crowd. Make it too narrow (a magazine about redheads who support Bohemians) and your audience will be too small. Get it right (a magazine about League of Ireland fan culture) and you just might have a chance.
4) What are the challenges for magazine distributors?
One big issue is distribution. Shipping boxes of magazines is expensive, and with publishers taking all the risk (they pay for both shipping, and if the magazines don’t sell, the price of shipping them back),
5) The article suggests that many independent magazines only make money by diversifying into other products. What examples do they give?
8) What are the challenges in terms of funding and distributing an independent magazine?
Rejection of many of the conventions of mainstream print magazine publishing has created new challenges for founders of independent magazines. Without the financial backing and established presence of a large publisher, founders are finding inventive new means to fund, distribute and pay contributors.
2) Irish Times feature on independent magazines
Now read this short feature in the Irish Times on the growth of independent magazines and answer the following questions:
1) Why are independent magazines so popular?
they create a small community and a less mainstream advertisement look
2) Why is the magazine publishing industry set up to favour the big global conglomerates?
the magazine publishing industry is set up to favour the big publishers – those with multiple titles, large sales teams and economies of scale. These are the titles that rely on advertising (rather than copy sales) for revenue. They have a relatively cheap cover price (a 12-issue subscription to Vogue UK costs less than £20), and are filled with adverts.
3) What does the article suggest regarding finding an audience for an independent magazine?
Make your subject too broad (a magazine about football) and you will get lost in the crowd. Make it too narrow (a magazine about redheads who support Bohemians) and your audience will be too small. Get it right (a magazine about League of Ireland fan culture) and you just might have a chance.
4) What are the challenges for magazine distributors?
One big issue is distribution. Shipping boxes of magazines is expensive, and with publishers taking all the risk (they pay for both shipping, and if the magazines don’t sell, the price of shipping them back),
5) The article suggests that many independent magazines only make money by diversifying into other products. What examples do they give?
host events
sell merch
Comments
Post a Comment