Starting a Magazine. Any Input?

[Mr KWA]

Hello Everyone. I have been tossing around the Idea of starting a magazine and wanted to know if anyone had People for that? LOL I am needing to network and get some contacts for publishing, printing and other things. It is funny to think that on this adventure I will cross paths with many names that most normal people like me only read about.

I can imagine Abel has incountered this type of thing after starting this AWESOME site.

Anyways as always your comments keep me focused.

[texkam]

Hire a good copy editor. : )
Good luck to you.

[Mr KWA]

Originally Posted by texkam

Hire a good copy editor. : )
Good luck to you.

Thanks for the luck!!! I have two friends that own magazines and I have issued out the dreaded "CFA"
I have always been a firm believer in the fact that the people in the forum are so helpful and resourceful that with the plethora of knowledge collective here I can't see how I won’t get a good start to which direction to take.


I am not completely in the dark but it never hurts to do more research.

[d2creative]

I would suggest a darn good graphic designer.
And awesome photography, of course.
And a web version.

[mmuhlenkamp]

Graphic Designer for sure *cough*likeme*cough*, writers/journalists, copy editor, probably lots of other things. How many issues a year and how many per order will help determine a good printer, some specialize in "small" runs while others need a pretty high minimum quantity to make it affordable.

Good luck on your venture

[Mr KWA]

I do need all the luck I can get. Just to throw this out there, I know I need all these people and in time I will need them so as I stab my flag in this thread as my starting point I want everyone to know I am keeping notes and if you are willing to network with me through this I will be more than happy to put you in my datasheet of contacts. the concept is directly related to EVERYTHING PHOTOGRAPHY. Hint Hint!!!! LOL Oh and I am up for partners!!! I am driven and am going to make this happen.

I really appreciate everyones thoughts.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

I would start with a web version first with two layers- a free public layer and then a second subscriber layer with more photos or the full articles. Say the free part has a short story on a car safari at an animal park with 2 or 3 pictures while the paid section has a multiple page story with dozens of excellent photgraphs. Be sure to design in space for advertising to run from the get go-nail that template down and desing it like it's a print magazine as much as possible.

If your talking about a magazine that is just for your local market then I would expect a starting budget of at least $20,000 for the print version-if going national kick that number up 10 fold at the minimum. (on the national version you will probably give out over 1/2 your first several runs for free to get exposure and try to attract advertisers).

Yeah those numbers may seam harsh but printing 4 color magazines that are more than local mags is expensive!

Good luck!

[shaggyrockmer]

^^ online mag is the way to go. I can't tell you how many "KATY" mags, were dropped off at my sons daycare, and then were NEVER EVEN OPENED, but the manager just tossed them into the trash. Same with the KIDS magazine. countless numbers. Online magazine is the way to go IMO.

[hue-e]

Hire a good graphic designer that understands good magazine layout. And even more importantly, understands the print industry so you end up with, not only a sharp looking rag, but one that's not overpriced.

[Mr KWA]

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

I would start with a web version first with two layers- a free public layer and then a second subscriber layer with more photos or the full articles. Say the free part has a short story on a car safari at an animal park with 2 or 3 pictures while the paid section has a multiple page story with dozens of excellent photgraphs. Be sure to design in space for advertising to run from the get go-nail that template down and desing it like it's a print magazine as much as possible.

If your talking about a magazine that is just for your local market then I would expect a starting budget of at least $20,000 for the print version-if going national kick that number up 10 fold at the minimum. (on the national version you will probably give out over 1/2 your first several runs for free to get exposure and try to attract advertisers).

Yeah those numbers may seam harsh but printing 4 color magazines that are more than local mags is expensive!

Good luck!

That is a good number for starters. I have already done some research. I am wanting to have a digital magazine for starters. I have two friends that own print magazines and they are helping me put things together for down the road in a couple of years for print but the starting goal is for my magazine to go live via the net. I do have a ways to go but I have a few of my ducks in a row already.

Thanks for the details.

[Tom]

I have a friend that is a great graphics designer that has put together new magazines from scratch. She's awesome. I don't think she would be cheap, though.

[ngoduyviet]

All you need is really good sale people.