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?

is a publication that operates without major funding or control from large corporations or institutions

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

A small but growing body of evidence suggests that small printed magazines are quietly thriving even as the global newspaper and book industries falter” (Hamilton 2013

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

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?

Independent magazines resourcefully utilise technological advances as well as social media to operate.

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?

These creators set their own terms and rely on collaboration to achieve them,  have a strong online presence that connects them to their readership internationally. 

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

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?

audiences might love the printed version as it is a traditional marketing media and some audiences might not have access to the digital media 

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

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?

These are magazines that play with the form, from open binding to multiple paper stocks. Their subject matter is as diverse as their production techniques, from mental health to trans rights, from football to street wear.

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

hey 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?

once you know who your audience is, many other elements will fall into place

4) What are the challenges for magazine distributors?

 Shipping boxes of magazines is expensive, and with publishers taking all the risk 

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

To take the example of the League of Ireland magazine, you are going to sell it outside football matches, which means it can’t be too big, or too heavy.