Magazine Distribution

 

Magazine Distribution

Methods of distributing magazines:

·        Electronic Brand Extension: When Music magazines increase their online presense using social networks such as:

-          Twitter

-          Facebook

-          Instagram

This allows them to spread their message and inform people that follow them on social networking websites/applications.

·        Ezines: Ezines are electronic versions of magazines which have similar features actual magazines such as adverts and page numbers. They are usually available for free and usually feature videos and hyperlinks which redirect the reader to other sources. This is used as another way for them to generate income. One example of an Ezine is RWD.

·        Freemiums: These are magazines, newspapers or issues which are given out for free, usually at stations or other public locations which are quite busy. Since they are free, these magazines make their money off ads. One example of a freemium is Metro.

·        Sale or Return: This is a distribution method often used by magazine and newspaper distributors with a newsstand like WH Smith. This is good for shops like WH Smiths as if they do not sell any copies of a particular magazine, they are returned to the distributors with no cost. This means that there is no risk for shops that do this as they do not lose money if magazines do not sell.

·        Subscrition (Postal or Electronic): This is where customers buy a contract (subscribe) to buy a certain amount of magazines at a certain price for a certain amount of time. This is beneficial for the distributors and customers as they get their magazine regularly and usually at a discounted price. This is good for the distributors as it gives them a core readership for the magazine. This method is also done digitally meaning the magazine can also be read from computers and other devises that have access to the internet.

 

 

 



Newsstand Task

Newsstand Task

 

From the pictures shown above I have a clear idea of how Tesco had positioned the magazines on their newsstand. Other than the oddly placed food magazine at the front on the newsstand, the magazines on the newsstand appear to be separated by genre. On the top shelf you can see the women's entertainment/fashion magazines while on the bottom shelf there are lifestyle magazines.

All magazines on the newsstand have mastheads that use large and simple fonts. As well as that, all mastheads are written in a colour that stands out against the background colour of the magazine. This makes the masthead stand out and more eye-catching. Also, I've noticed that women's magazines like 'LOOK' as shown in the top right corner of the picture use very feminine fonts and colours. This was done to attract their target audience who are women. Another way in which a magazine can catch the attention of its reader is to feature a celebrity on its front cover. This was done by 'OK!' magazine as shown in the image above in the top right corner. The magazine features Katy Price who is a well known celebrity in the UK.

 Also, all magazines with models have their models looking directly towards the audience, this draws the reader in and creates a connection. Another way in which magazines draw peoples attention is through free giveaways. For example, the magazine in the centre of the top shelf displays a massive coloured strip going across the top of its front cover saying 'FREE...'. The fact that the font is so big means that it'll catch the eye of potential customers passing by. Also, since the magazine is giving something away for free, it gives them a incentive to buy the magazine.

Case Study: Press Packs - Reader Profiles

NME: Reader Profile

Kerrang!: Reader Profile

These are the reader profiles for both NME and Kerrang! magazines. They both have a mean age of 25 for their audience however NME has mentioned that many of their readers are aged between 16 and 24. Due to this, I have decided to target my magazine towards people around the same age range.

Also, NME's audience is made up of 63% males and 37% females. Since NME is one of the UK's most popular rock magazines, I have decided to stick by its statistics and aim to have my gender ratio for my magazine be 60% male and 40% female.

Case Study 2: DPS

 

Case Study 2: DPS

 

 

Case Study 2: Contents

 

 

Case Study 2: Contents

 

 



Case Study 2: Front Cover

 

 

Case Study 2: Front Cover

 

 



Case Study 1: DPS

 

Case Study 1: DPS

 

 



Case Study 1: Contents

 

Case Study 1: Contents

 

 

Case Study 1: Front Cover

 

 

Case Study 1: Front Cover 

 

 

Evaluation - College Magazine

Evaluation: College magazine

 

What went well?

-         Layout and Text:

The teasers placed on the left-hand side of the page. This makes it easier for to see while the magazine is on display, and it also gives the reader a tastes of what kind of content will be featured in the magazine. As well as that, the main cover line is shown on the right-hand side of the page where it is set apart from all of the teasers on the left side of the page. This helps distinguish between the main cover story and the stories used for teasers. The text shown on the front cover is written in bright colours which makes it stand out. This will catch the eye of the reader.

-          Images:

The images used for the contents page relate to what’s being featured. This allows the reader to actually see what they will be reading about and it also creates interest. As well as that, the model featured in the image on the front page is looking directly at the audience which creates a connection

Audience Feedback:

The Headline text stands out due to its bright colour and outline making it look appealing to the audience. The colours complement each other, but you should have added more images to the front cover and a more appealing background. Different styles of fonts would be a good idea. The Contents page looks great, the image of the piano was a good idea, it makes the contents page stand out. The variety of colours make the text stand out again. A good quantity and range of images

 

What do I need to improve on?

-          The masthead needs to be bigger, which will make it more noticeable.

-          The teaser, main cover line and the image of the model also need to be bigger in order to make them more noticeable.

-          Images: The image used for the front cover needs to be centred. Also, the contents page needs to feature images relating to all stories featured in the magazine.

-          Editing: I will need to improve upon my editing skills in order to make the magazine look more professional.

-          Equipment: The images were taken using a mobile phone camera, which produces images of low quality compared to a DSLR. For the next project, I will use better equipment and take the photographs in a photography studio.

-          Fonts: The fonts used in for both the front page and contents page of the magazine are quite dull and unexciting.

-          Colour scheme: I need to use a colour scheme that seems more fun and exciting in order to catch the reader’s attention. It will also need to be relevant to the content or genre of the magazine.

College Magazine