Industries: the appeal of print - blog tasks

 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?

The independent print magazine is characterised as “published without the financial support of a large corporation or institution in which the makers control publication and distribution…“independent” in spirit due to a maverick editor or publisher who leads the magazine in an exploratory, noncommercial direction”.

2) What does Hamilton (2013) suggest about independent magazines in the digital age?

Hamilton suggests that there’s an increasing evidence that small printed magazines are quietly thriving and slowly becoming successful even as the global newspaper and book industries falter.

3) Why does the article suggest that independent magazines might be succeeding while global magazine publishers such as Bauer are struggling?

Independent magazines might be succeeding while global magazine publishers such as Bauer are struggling because those who work behind the independent magazines use digital developments to their advantage and have a stronger online presence which in the modern generation would be much more efficient. The creators set their own terms and rely on collaboration to achieve them.

4) What does the article suggest about how independent publishers use digital media to target their niche audiences?

Independent publishers use digital media to target their niche audience by taking advantage of their strong online presence, especially through social media, which allows them to connect to their readership internationally. Social media allowed them to reach other people around the world and could potentially recruit them as new readers, collaborators and media interest. This further benefits them as they get to find specific people who are interested in the same niche content that they want establish to the audience.

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 is important that independent magazines are owned and created by the same people because they share similar creative visions. They also gain authorship and ownership which benefits them to develop their own work.

6) What does the article suggest regarding the benefits of a 'do-it-yourself' approach to creating independent magazines?

It suggests that the benefits of “do-it-yourself” approach to creating independent magazines is to allow creators to gain and share ideas to other creators who have the same commitment as them. They could then use these ideas to make their own unique ideas which would help them design their magazines independently.

7) The article discusses the audience appeal of print. Why might audiences love the printed form in the digital age?

Audiences might love the printed form in the digital age due to internet fatigue. Some social media platforms are overtaken by unread blog posts, disposable lists and general digital overload. Audiences might also prefer to have something for themselves that “will never go away”, especially due to the creator’s efforts into the magazine.

8) What are the challenges in terms of funding and distributing an independent magazine?

The challenges in terms of funding could be the idea that creators rely on subscriptions and high cover prices to continue to produce, while not necessarily making a profit from each print run. Most creators are committed and would risk gaining little financial rewards. Similarly, distribution can also be a challenge for independent magazines as a small print run prevents large-scale distribution, while founders need to locate their venues where their niche target audience would be frequent.

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?

Independent magazines are so popular due to their diverse production techniques such as mental health, trans rights, football and street wear. Their contents are driven by passion as well as their printed form. They’re also able to gain audiences around the world through the help of technology.

2) Why is the magazine publishing industry set up to favour the big global conglomerates?

Magazine publishing industry is set up to favour the big global conglomerates due to the big conglomerates having multiple titles, large sales teams and economies of scale. This could also be the idea that they have the money and power to control every step of how a magazine is made and sold. 

3) What does the article suggest regarding finding an audience for an independent magazine?

It suggests that creating a subject that is too broad would lead to getting lost in the crowd, while picking a subject that is too narrow would lead to gaining audience that is too small. Also, once the creator knows who their audience is then the elements of the design and style of the magazine’s story would fall into place.

4) What are the challenges for magazine distributors?

The challenges for magazine distributors are the idea the shipping boxes of magazines is expensive and with publishers taking risks they pay for both shipping and if the magazines don’t sell, the price of shipping them back. This requires them to focus on getting as many direct sales online as possible. They’re also required to gain an audience first before they publish a magazine so that the audience know that they are existing and are sure that there’s audience to buy their magazine. 

5) The article suggests that many independent magazines only make money by diversifying into other products. What examples do they give?

The examples are The Gentlewoman, The Gourmand, Cereal and Kinfolk.