Working For A Magazine
Posted in: Magazine Industry | Comments (0)
One of the faster growing job industries for people today is magazines. More and more people today are writing for magazines, whether it be online or onsite. With this recent surge, many are wondering how they actually go about writing for a magazine. Do you have to be a professional writer to join a company? What are the benefits of writing for a company? These are the many questions that are being asked by people and rightfully so.
One of the best ways to write for a magazine is to send out resumes to potential companies. Search the companies online to see what topics they cover to see if they would be a good fit for your writing style. Most companies use online job postings to fine potential writers Most companies require that you have a college education and some experience working for a local paper or some sort of writing experience before they will hire you. Once the education has been acquired, people should get their foot in the door by writing pieces and getting them published. This will help build up a portfolio that you can later send to desired magazine companies. This is often the most difficult because some companies require that you have had a least 2 years of experience in the field.
Once this experience has been gained, people should submit their resume and their previously published works into the magazine that they are seeking a position in. They should then call back the company and see what the status of their application is. Once they have been hired, they will then begin working an entry level position. The position may even require some editing and revision tasks to help get them acquainted with the magazine at first.
It will take patience and an unwillingness to quit. Success will not be guaranteed in the first few tries of applying so persistence pays off. Applicants should apply at multiple magazines companies in order to ensure that they get a position in the field.
LitzMagazine @ April 19, 2012
Is Social Media Destroying the Magazine?
Posted in: Magazine Industry, Social Media | Comments (0)
Social media is anything that involves user generated exchange of information. The internet has lead to a boom in social media based websites and a trend of free unregulated content dialogue. Social media acts as a virtual interaction between sources. The sources of this informational exchange are the readers and users of the media outlets themselves. There are many different forms of social media such as videos, webblogs and photographs. Any content can be delivered and it is up to viewers discretion to filter any unnecessary or untrue information they receive. Wikipedia and Facebook are considered social media tools in different forms. Facebook for example allows anyone to post information along with their favorite emoticons from myemoticons.com but much of this information is obviously personal and not breaking news.
Social media has experience an impressive rise in popularity and the number of social outlets keeps growing. No one could have ever expected the kind of impact this would have on other forms of media. From television to newspapers, every conventional media outlet has felt the impact of social media. The rise in internet use is the sole reason for the development of social media. Blogging has become so popular that one can even earn a living from their personal views on anything from world events to entertainment news.
Magazines all over the world are feeling the pinch in subscription sales due to social media. The reason being that they have yet to find a way to interact with the opinions of their readers. Magazines provide a one way delivery of information. Social media is a way for readers to respond to what they are reading and even interact and hold virtual conversations with other readers across the globe. No conventional media form, especially magazines, has this ability. Letters can be sent to magazines and some even print the responses of certain viewers, but the process is long and far less liberating. Most of the time the reader is left wondering if their opinions were even read or considered. Advertising in magazines is another big issue. Again, this is a one way delivery. The magazines are left to decide what to advertise while social media has ways of researching their individual readers and providing advertisements that relate to their specific interests. This has been a controversial topic because many people are uneasy with the fact that these social media sites will record such information from a users profile.
But it isn’t all bad news for magazines when it comes to social media. A lot of magazines have taken advantage of their online presence and have successful social media strategies that are coexistent and cohesive with their overall marketing strategies. Magazines companies such as Maxim, Men’s Health and others have a strong social media presence. These companies take use their social media analytics accounts to track and manage new trends and consumer behavior which will help with new marketing channels.
LitzMagazine @ April 8, 2012
Most Successful Magazine Editors: Their Contributions Changed Journalism
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Many people have their own idea of success. In the magazine business success is defined by the number of issues sold or revenue generated by advertising. When it comes to the editorial staff of a magazine, defining success moves into a greyer area. Editors have the responsibility to ensure that the articles published are accurate, newsworthy, and most of all readable.
One of the most successful magazine editors was Edward Kramer Thompson. It was under his tenure as Editor-In-Chief of Life magazine that some of the best photojournalism was published; including the famous VJ day photo of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square in 1945.
Another Editor that is currently successful is Rosemary Ellis – the Editor-In-Chief of Good Housekeeping magazine. It is because of her vision of what interests the readers, that she has been able to publish some of the most relevant articles for the home and maintain their loyalty to the magazine.
Malcolm Muir is probably not one of the names many people think of when it comes to successful magazines editors. Even though he surrendered his post as Editor-In-Chief in 1961 when ownership of Newsweek was transferred to The Washington Post, he was the driving force behind creating global journalism for a news magazine. Always informative many times controversial, Newsweek brought newspaper-style reporting to a weekly magazine.
For the writer, one editor stands out more than most, Harold Ross the past editor of New Yorker magazine. Whether it is because of the influence of his wife a former New York Times reporter Jane Grant or the fact he wanted to create a magazine for and about New York places and faces, Mr. Ross developed a magazine that could be humorous as well as informative with its articles and features. When Ross opened the magazine up to short stories and anecdotal tales – many authors penned articles and pieces to be published within the pages of New Yorker.
This list is by no means complete, but it is a sampling of some of the most successful editors of magazines. Each one contributed to the success of the print magazine. The future of editing is now transferred to online media. Who will be the most successful editors of online magazines? Only time will tell. If the future editors follow in the footsteps of the ones from the past, there will be some exiting magazines that will be published.
LitzMagazine @ March 11, 2012
Popular Fashion Magazines for Women
Posted in: Fashion Magazines | Comments (0)
Some of the most popular fashion magazines for women come out with a new issue every month so women can stay current on fashion’s latest trends. There are some popular women’s magazines that are geared toward fashion but also contain other content about entertainment, relationships, careers, makeup and beauty. Some fashion magazines are focused only on fashion and these are great for the woman who works in fashion or who likes to stay updated on all the latest trends.
Elle
Elle is a great women’s fashion magazine that not only includes great coverage of trends every season but also includes gift guides, the best places to shop, and puts together visually appealing and up to date fashion spreads. This magazine also has great information about anything from chic makeup tips to the best places to find vintage eyeglasses, articles regarding current events, entertainment guides pointing to the latest films and best books, and an awesome advice column. It is a monthly magazine that covers most of the basics in the fashion industry and keeps readers current and updated about other facets of life.
Vogue
American Vogue is known as one of the most comprehensive fashion magazines run by a very influential fashion editor. A new issue of Vogue comes out every month in many different countries and languages. This magazine is especially popular for it’s annual fall fashion issue that highlights everything fashion forward women want to know about fashion in the coming year.
Women’s Wear Daily
This fashion magazine does not come out in a once a month issue but a new issue is available every day. This magazine can be subscribed to online and in print so that the magazine is available in both formats. This is a great magazine for the woman who loves to stay current in fashion by reading runway reports every day and reading articles solely about the fashion world and industry. Truly every thing a fashionista could want to know is available in the pages of WWD.
W
W Magazine is a lesser known women’s fashion magazine than Elle, Vogue or Women’s Wear Daily but has some very unique articles, spreads and fashion coverage. The magazine covers fashion, celebrities, beauty, parties, art and design, and travel. The way the articles in the magazine link and relate to one another is very fluid. It is a great magazine to pick up for a read that is a little more in depth and less mainstream.
LitzMagazine @ February 24, 2012
Those Planning a Wedding Can Find a Variety of Different Wedding Magazines
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Weddings take time to plan. There are so many aspects of the wedding to consider. There is the wedding gown and dresses for attendants, suits or tuxedos for the men, the cake, the rehearsal dinner and reception and lots more. While a bride may have general ideas, wedding magazines help the bride narrow down the specifics to be incorporated into the wedding. Wedding magazines offer a wealth of ideas. Each magazine has a different focus so that together, the wedding magazines cover a wide demographic of individuals planning weddings.
Some magazines focus on the bride and may be national or more regional in scope. Brides magazine is geared for the women who is engaged and planning her wedding. She looks to Brides magazine to help her create the perfect wedding. The magazine offers inspiration with reports on accessories and flowers, beauty and more. Brides magazine also offers practical assistance with features on budgeting, checklists, timetables as well as what to and what not to do.
Contemporary Bride focuses on those residing in the New York or New Jersey metropolitan areas. This wedding magazine offers inspiration on the latest in wedding fashions, with features such as Wedding of the Week and Dress of the Day.
Southern Bride, which has been in existence for some 20 years, helps brides understand what traditions and trends go into planning a Southern wedding. Southern Bride offers valuable information on fashions, what is trendy as well as wedding and honeymoon opportunities.
Other region-specific magazines include, but are not limited to, Seattle Bride, New Jersey Bride, Chicago Bride and New England Bride.
Some wedding magazines concentrate on both bride and groom. For those looking forward to their wedding, the semi-annual publication, Hawaii Bride & Groom, provides in depth information that helps them plan for that special day. The magazine has over 180 pages of pertinent information the couple needs in order to plan a Hawaiian wedding.
From A to Z, Sacramento Bride and Groom Magazine guides the couple through the planning of the wedding. This includes choosing a wedding planner and the wedding gown to finding the right venues for the wedding and the reception. The magazine provides information on choosing the wedding photographer, florist, DJ and more.
Other magazines such as Martha Stewart Weddings focus in on the wedding and reception needs. Whatever the demographic of the wedding magazines, each seeks to offer fresh, practical ideas to help couples create their dream wedding.
LitzMagazine @ February 5, 2012
What Makes a Successful Magazine?
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As with any industry, the introduction of a new magazine must implement key concepts in order to survive in a very competitive market. There are millions of magazines available covering any topic one can fathom, so it is crucial that a solid marketing strategy is mapped out prior to publication.
Readers don’t necessarily want to read everything they are ingesting from your magazine. A unique picture featured on the front cover is a must have, especially getting started in the industry. You have to draw your attention. Consider what would draw a potential customer’s attention to your cover while sitting in the midst of thousands of others at a retail store. Along with the picture must be a story of diverse interest. This primary story should be placed in the middle of the magazine as to avoid customers quickly finding it at the beginning while waiting at the checkout and putting it back when they are finished. By grasping their attention, you will leave them wanting to know more, but need more time to sit down and find the story.
Use resources such as Society of Publications Designers. They publish materials that can give you ideas on deciding anything from the font you should use to the types of images that will make an impact. Each of these seemingly insignificant details can translate to the difference of thousands of dollars.
Unless targeting a highly technical audience as may the case for a computer technician publication, avoid the over use of big words. Keep the language average yet diverse. Your reader has most likely picked up your publication for enjoyment and relaxation, and, chances are, they are not going to enjoy needing a dictionary handy to understand your content. Keep it simple, upbeat and creative.
Most importantly, seek constructive criticism. Poll your friends and family, those you trust, to see if they would buy your product. Your consumers are going to be people just like them. List their opinions and find looks for trends in the feedback you receive. If several of your friends make the same suggestion, chances are it’s worth looking into.
Also internally a magazine is always trying to improve. This means that they are always trying different techniques to improve workflow and progress. They implement new technology that will help them improve like project collaboration software from workzone. They can also incorporate other things that will help them. Having the correct internal structure will help make a magazine successful.
Even with the amount of competition out there, it is possible to create a successful magazine. One must not jump into the process without first getting their feet wet. Before mass production, follow these basic principals to maximize your chances at success.
LitzMagazine @ January 20, 2012
Most Popular Magazines in the World
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Magazines are a great item to read. A magazine can easily be carried in a backpack or briefcase. They are available in most stores. It is easy to pick one up for a quick read while waiting for an appointment at an office.
Publications found in homes and offices are Reader’s Digest, published by the Reader’s Digest Association or National Geographic, published by the National Geographic Association. Time and People are popular, both are published by Time Warner. All of these magazines have general topics that appeal to women and men of all ages and demographics.
Men like to buy publications such as, Field and Stream, published by Bonnier. They may purchase Popular Mechanics or Car and Driver, published by Hearst Magazines. Also American Hunter, published by the National Rifle Association. The Family Handyman, published by the Reader’s Digest Association are also magazines purchased by men.
There are magazines published all over the world. Some are more popular than others. The two most published and distributed magazine in the United States is AARP The Magazine and AARP The Bulletin, which is often purchased by retired Americans. Next, is The Costco Connection, published by Costco, a store chain that has this publication to promote it’s stores and products.
Best-selling publications that are usually purchased by women in stores or by subscription are, Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle and Parents, all published by Meredith. Other popular publications are Women’s Day, Cosmopolitan and Seventeen, all published by Hearst Magazines. These magazines focus on the home, recipes, fashion and other topics that appeal to women.
There are plenty of magazines for children too. Children can choose between Boys Life, published by the Boy Scouts of America or American Girl, published by American Girls Company, both are huge sellers to children. Jack and Jill and Humpty Dumpty are magazines published by U.S. Kids, they appeal to younger children.
The most popular magazine in Australia is Australian’s Women’s Weekly, published by ACP Magazines. What’s Cooking, by Meredith is the most popular magazine in Canada. In the United Kingdom, Asda Magazine, published by Publicis-Blueprint is the best selling magazine.
Popular magazines can be found in stores and are available by subscription. Many publishers also have online editions of their magazines available. In addition, public and school libraries have magazines available to read in the library or to check out.
LitzMagazine @ December 20, 2011
