What’s involved
in producing a magazine?
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One secret to producing a magazine is good planning. This will ensure resources are used effectively, deadlines are met, and budgets adhered to.
For more information on starting your own business magazine read our 10 Secrets to a great magazine
To ensure the process of producing your next magazine is easier and less stressful, here are the stages that you need to follow:
1. Objectives
What are your objectives/goals for this new magazine? Is it brand awareness, to generate direct sales, simply information…?
2. Research
Research magazine opportunities, competitors, marketplace and brainstorm style, title and other design concepts.
3. Specification
Decide on the type of magazine - self funding, advertiser-funded, consumer, trade, commercial etc. Will this be online-only, printed, or a hybrid of both? What size and number of pages will it be?
4. Audience
Work out your ideal target audience and ensure you have their correct contact details so they don't miss an issue.
5. People
Get people onboard – staff, writers, editors, proofreaders, photographers, designers, printers etc. These might be staff members or trusted partners you can outsource to, to create a virtual team.
6. Content
Compile a comprehensive (and realistic) content plan. With a regular publication whilst one issue is in production, the next will already be being written, and future issues will be planned, so that you don't run out of content, or miss key deadlines.
7. Schedule
Produce a production schedule and keep it realistic. You need to include key dates and milestones, but also have some 'buffers' of time to allow for late delivery of content, technical issues etc.
8. Confirm
Confirm budget, frequency, key dates and schedule milestones, and roles and responsibilities.
9. Links
Establish links to your online presence (website, social media, etc.). And post frequently to maintain awareness of the magazine.
10. Community
Build a community around your content, so people talk about you and share the magazine with others!
For more information on starting your own business magazine read our 10 Secrets to a great magazine…