starting your own magazine?

stacey1981_2

Hi, just want some advise if I can. Where would I go to start looking into starting up a magazine?

I have come up with an idea and just want to know where I start.

I would be looking into starting in my local village, could anyone point me in the right direction? thanks

mr_roll

Thats an interesting Idea. I'm not an expert and never worked in the industry, but this is the Internet so thought I'd add my 2 pence

I'd think what will the magazine focus on?
Could you get local college / uni / school students to write articles for the mag? - cheap / free stories you see
Quarterly or monthly?
Can local businesses support it in space for advertising?
Photography - do you have a friend who can take the photos
Is it going to be paper or online? both?
Sections of the mag? Articles, columns, letters to the editor

Those are some of the things I'd think about.

stacey1981_2

Thanks for your replys really goods points! I will try google now ( I always look on mse 1st!) It would be a specific magazine aimed at women and probably be out monthly, starting on paper but then hopefully online later on

Good idea about the business advertising

Chrisskoyles

How many pages would you be thinking of including? Something quite small would be manageable but still quite hard work, but if you're looking to do something the same size as the kind of mags you find in your newsagents, you're probably in for a lot of hard work and stress!

I know from the work I do that even producing a good quality, 24 page mag three times a year is bloody challenging, even with a good team of people to help you.

Some things you might want to think about:

Is there a need for this magazine? Would your intended audience be interested in reading it?

How would you fund it? Advertising?

How/where would you do the design and layout?

Who would write it? Proof it? Edit copy?

Who would do the photography?

Can you be sure you'll always have enough ideas to fill the space? Have you got back-up ideas for things that can be pulled together quite quickly if a feature falls through at the last minute (which isn't uncommon).

Distribution?

I honestly don't mean to be pessimistic, I'm all for people putting magazines out, but there is quite a lot to think about.

I work in the world of magazines, writing and all that kind of thing, so if you'd like, feel free to send me a message and I'll happily pass on any advice I can give.