Showing posts with label Media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Media. Show all posts
The Inner Workings of Magazine Publishing
| What is the working protocol of journalism especially for magazines? Also what is the role of editor-in-chief in a magazine and the working hierarchy in a magazine... who reports to whom? Also how much should the editor-in-chief allow the owners/publishers/directors of the media company to interfere in the editorial content? These are just some of the questions that is normally asked about the inner workings of a magazine. First, I'm not sure what you mean by "working protocol of journalism." Are you talking about relationships with sources, between editors and reporters, or something else? In the context of your other questions, I wonder if you mean something to do with editorial authority, too. Second,Various journalism roles can vary quite a bit, actually, from publication to publication. Some companies have more "hands-on" management styles, while others give their executives more autonomy. But, in general, the editor-in-chief has control over the publication's editorial contents and direction, just as the advertising director has control over the ad contents, placement, and policies. That doesn't mean the editor is God, because he/she shares power with other high-ranking executives. The editor's greatest management skill is in working effectively with people -- knowing how to negotiate with other power brokers who have a say in how the magazine is put together, distributed, etc. I'll give you an example of hierarchy: In the trade magazine publishing company where I worked, there was an individual editor over each magazine. We shared a pool of in-house writers, and we each contracted separately with freelancers as needed. There also was an advertising director who managed the ad sales and placement for each of the three magazines. If I didn't like the ad placement in my magazine, I could go to her and negotiate; she was usually agreeable within reason. (Of course, we usually prevented negotiations by talking in advance about special features that would need special space, and she was conversant with our standard placement of recurring features, etc.) We also worked with execs at various support companies -- R.R. Donnelley printing in Senatobia, Miss., which required us to meet certain format standards with what we submitted and to adhere to agreed-upon timetables; and the company that wrapped, labeled, and mailed our magazines, which required clear directives, correct mailing label files, and adherence to agreed-upon timetables. We also worked with the business office in our publishing company to communicate clearly about incoming bills from freelancers (then signing off on them) and other issues. In other words, the hierarchy is broader, and less linear, than I thought it would be from my studies in journalism. The real world is much, much, much more "cooperative" than it is territory based. And, sadly for editors, the power tends to reside where the money is (hint: Not in the editorial offices). Often, the ad director swings a bigger stick than you will as an editor. Make close friends with the ad director -- do favors when you can. You'll need to call those favors in at some point. Make sure you develop a relationship as allies rather than as adversaries. Last, The editor-in-chief has limited options in how much he lets the magazine's owners, publishers, and other higher-ups interfere with the editorial content. He should establish the extent of his authority when he is hired and, if possible, have it spelled out in writing. Clear upfront communications are the best preventative step. He can help prevent problems by communicating clearly with his bosses about editorial directions and getting buy-in as he goes along rather than waiting for issues to arise. If issues are raised later on, the editor's best tool is to be persuasive to his bosses and help them understand why his editorial judgment should prevail. However, when push comes to shove, the editor's choices are limited: Stay and bow to his boss's wishes, violate his boss's wishes and take the consequences, or quit. If he has an employment contract that has been violated, he may consider suing, but that would be rare. Often, compromise (within the limits of your personal ethics) is the best option. |
| Author Resource:- Victor Epand is an expert consultant at http://www.4Magazines.info/. 4Magazines.info offers the greatest magazine subscriptions from a variety of top publishers. Browse through our selection of Lifestyle Magazines here: http://www.4Magazines.info/category/lifestyle.html. |
| Article From New Ezine Articles |
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You Need More Than Money to Start Your Own Magazine Publishing
For one, you need to have a basic idea for your magazine. It should focus on a certain subject that you are knowledgeable about so you can come up with a plan that differentiates you from the competitors.
Naturally, you will not be the person doing all the dirty work. For that, you need to hire the right people who will serve as writers, editors and photographers for your magazine publication.
If you notice, not all the pages in the magazine are filled with articles or pictures. In between the pages, there are ads posted by various companies. You will need to advertising accounts to generate most of the revenue for the business in order to pay the salaries of your staff and pay for other expenses including next month’s issue.
This is done by calling up advertising agencies, sending them letters and meeting their executives in person. Networking will also come in handy so you can get your foot in the door with other advertisers.
When you have a meeting with advertising agencies, remember that you are asking them to advertise in your magazine in exchange for something else. Be sure to deliver your end of the bargain so this relationship will continue in future issues.
When your team has finished making the layout of the magazine, the only thing to do now is to send it to the printers.
Since there are many printers to choose from, get a cost quote from all of them and then get the best deal money can buy. A representative will be assigned to you so follow up with him or her the target print date.
An advanced copy of the magazine will be sent to you before it hits the stands. When this happens, check it page per page for any problems. If everything checks out, the only thing you have to do now is approve it.
Distribution of your magazine is important. You must make sure that it hits places where people will likely go to and buy it like the local news stand and the supermarket. Don’t forget to also send copies to your advertisers and sponsors free of charge so they will be able to see first hand their ads in your issue.
Not that many people will know about magazine without some form of publicity. For that, you will need to throw a launch party that usually gets media attention. You should invite some of the biggest names in the industry, a few celebrities and of course the local press.
After providing some entertainment for the night’s festivities, make sure everyone goes home with a souvenir bag that includes a copy of your magazine.
You truly need more than just money to have your own magazine Publishing because days after your launch party, your magazine will be featured in newspapers and on television. Viewers and readers who have seen or heard it will most likely see what all the buzz is all about and buy a copy.
If these people like it, then you have successfully established a beachhead. You will have to press on forward in the coming months so you can truly compete with other magazines that have already established a name for themselves in the industry.
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You Need More Than Money to Start Your Own Magazine Publishing
For one, you need to have a basic idea for your magazine. It should focus on a certain subject that you are knowledgeable about so you can come up with a plan that differentiates you from the competitors.
Naturally, you will not be the person doing all the dirty work. For that, you need to hire the right people who will serve as writers, editors and photographers for your magazine publication.
If you notice, not all the pages in the magazine are filled with articles or pictures. In between the pages, there are ads posted by various companies. You will need to advertising accounts to generate most of the revenue for the business in order to pay the salaries of your staff and pay for other expenses including next month’s issue.
This is done by calling up advertising agencies, sending them letters and meeting their executives in person. Networking will also come in handy so you can get your foot in the door with other advertisers.
When you have a meeting with advertising agencies, remember that you are asking them to advertise in your magazine in exchange for something else. Be sure to deliver your end of the bargain so this relationship will continue in future issues.
When your team has finished making the layout of the magazine, the only thing to do now is to send it to the printers.
Since there are many printers to choose from, get a cost quote from all of them and then get the best deal money can buy. A representative will be assigned to you so follow up with him or her the target print date.
An advanced copy of the magazine will be sent to you before it hits the stands. When this happens, check it page per page for any problems. If everything checks out, the only thing you have to do now is approve it.
Distribution of your magazine is important. You must make sure that it hits places where people will likely go to and buy it like the local news stand and the supermarket. Don’t forget to also send copies to your advertisers and sponsors free of charge so they will be able to see first hand their ads in your issue.
Not that many people will know about magazine without some form of publicity. For that, you will need to throw a launch party that usually gets media attention. You should invite some of the biggest names in the industry, a few celebrities and of course the local press.
After providing some entertainment for the night’s festivities, make sure everyone goes home with a souvenir bag that includes a copy of your magazine.
You truly need more than just money to have your own magazine Publishing because days after your launch party, your magazine will be featured in newspapers and on television. Viewers and readers who have seen or heard it will most likely see what all the buzz is all about and buy a copy.
If these people like it, then you have successfully established a beachhead. You will have to press on forward in the coming months so you can truly compete with other magazines that have already established a name for themselves in the industry.
Magazine Publishing for Different Readership
General interest magazines - They are distributed with the most readerships on the minds of publishers. They are often tailored to go well with the topics which a common man would actually like to read. Stories that are easy to read and often gratify the interests of the general public are mostly the contents of such publications.
This kind of magazine publishing caters to a reader with a specific idea of what kind of information each page has to present. It may focus on a singular subject throughout the pages or cover many different ones, accordingly to the target readers’ intents. The main idea of a magazine that falls under the general interest kind is to entertain, endorse and sell products and promote readership viewpoints.
Scholarly / academic magazines - They present information focusing on the educational. They provide the targeted readership with information in detail, often written by scholars, specialists or researchers in different fields. Articles are written using a technical or specialized vocabulary.
The main purpose of this magazine is to teach and provide data in researches. Charts, graphs or tables often accompany articles; little or no photos and other forms of graphics are used, except in cases tackling visual arts or architecture.
Trade / professional magazines - Magazines of the trade or professional kind are distributed to a very specific readership, usually managers, businessmen and those identified with trade and industry. Some of these magazines are not available to the general consumer, and the subscription is, as a rule, directed to people in the trade. This is also to ensure that any form of advertising contained in such publication reaches the target end user.
Most of the articles, news and commentaries in this magazine are written by specialists or journalist. It is issued weekly or monthly to catch up with the fast changes occurring in the trade arena. Since this caters to a particular professional or occupational group, keeping them abreast with the current trade and industry sure counts a lot.
News magazines - This kind of magazine publishing is often distributed on a weekly basis, and is directed towards a broad readership. It intends to provide the consumers with a singular source of news, current events and other topics that are in demand.
News magazines generally tackle something more in detail, as compared to the stories presented by newspapers. Rather than just the facts, magazines like this give the readers an understanding of the context around significant events in the society. They are available at newsstands, bookstores and by subscription.
Sensational magazines - Magazines of the sensational kind are inclined to creating a stir. They are usually thinner than most magazines, but larger in size and almost looking like a newspaper. Designed for attracting the attention of the consumers, they use flashy headlines written across the pages in huge font sizes. Most of the articles are related to celebrities and other stories that are astounding to their target readership.
There are usually more pictures in here than written pieces. More often than not, the vocabulary used is elementary; some might even consider the stories they carry provocative and scandalous. Freelance writers or staffers write such articles. A magazine publishing of the sensational kind is generally referred to as tabloid.
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