Magazines: Industries - the appeal of print and independent magazines

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 

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”

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

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?

small print runs of well-executed magazines marks a greater appreciation of graphic design, community and also a cultural push away from trend-focused mass-market publications that tell people what they should be doing and buying

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?

Independent magazines are able to maintain a strong vision for their magazine

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

The term “do-it-yourself/do-it-with-others” emphasises semiotic self-determination in how citizens formulate and live out their identities

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

The preference for print is born of a refusal to see print and online content as competitors. In producing printed works that rely upon digital networks for promotion and distribution contemporary small publishers are affirming the online world is connected and interact in mutually beneficial

8) What are the challenges in terms of funding and distributing an independent magazine?
independent magazines struggle to reach widespread distribution in news agencies and other typical magazine retailers. Brimble’s realisation that independent magazine production is “10% creative, 90% hustle”

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?

They are driven by a passion, both for their content, and the printed form, and thanks to technology, they are able to reach audiences around the world

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

These are the titles that rely on advertising (rather than copy sales) for revenue. They 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?

Make your subject too broad (a magazine about football) and you will get lost in the crowd. Make it too narrow (a magazine about redheads who support Bohemians) and your audience will be too small. Get it right (a magazine about League of Ireland fan culture) and you just might have a chance. 

4) What are the challenges for magazine distributors?

Shipping boxes of magazines is expensive, and with publishers taking all the risk (they pay for both shipping, and if the magazines don’t sell, the price of shipping them back), it’s key that publishers focus on getting as many direct sales online as possible.

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

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

3) Interview with Ruth Jamieson

Finally, read this excellent interview with Ruth Jamieson, who has written a book on the renaissance of the independent magazine sector. Answer these three quick questions: 

1) What does Ruth Jamieson suggest about the 'death of print'?

She doesn't think print will ever die. New media doesn’t necessarily replace old media, it just refocuses its role

2) What are the common themes for successful independent magazines?

The internet is part of what’s driving the new wave of indie magazines. Online media is so disposable and I think there’s something appealing about the permanence of indie magazines.

3) How many of these aspects can you find in The Gentlewoman? 

The gentlewoman use the internet to express their artistic appeal. Their instagram is a great example of that. They also have the gentelwoman club that gives this a very immersive experience