Out of desperation I'm contemplating stating as business without funding

Sir_Pac

Kayalana99 wrote: »

If your doing something like this just remember people are naturally busy bodys. A dear aunt section won't go amiss about the local area, and think carefully about content & your target market.

Do you mean like an Agony Aunt column? I haven't read any newspapers in over 20 years, but I think I have an idea of what you mean.

Kayalana99 wrote: »

Don't put stuff in just because you think its a good idea think about the target market you are aiming for.

The easiest task is to come up with ideas for inclusion within the 'main' magazine. The hardest task, is trimming the fat, I have to automate as much as possible, after-all I'm doing this all by myself (so I'm thankful for your input, and suggestions, I have no other sounding boards).

Sir_Pac

hazzie123 wrote: »

Are you in a council house? As you mentioned the bedroom tax is OP.Can you run a business from a council house?

Good question Hazzie, I have made my intentions known to those who need to know just to ensure my back is covered. I've made it known that for the next few months I'll be promoting my magazine locally, and approaching small businesses with an idea to advertising within the magazine once I've created a strong enough readership.

The job centre, who have been a major barrier in the past were unsually helpful on my last visit. :-)

ms_night_ryder

I think sir Pac if you can survive on jsa for the next four months whilst building up readership and revenue you should go for it, forget about the tax credits for now, in jsa eyes this is a hobby which isn't making any money, so I think you will be fine, your promotional work will be similar to volunteer work.

My suggestions are finding things like reading clubs, knitting club they hold one in the charity shop near me, placing leaflets on the library notice board as well as giving its occupants fliers, also add any groups as a local interest, also church groups, the latest toddler groups, baby yoga etc.

Maybe place an ad on gum tree, yell etc, approach the local paper, ask for fliers to be added to a paper round maybe.

Hth

Sir_Pac

redcard wrote: »

It sounds more like a hobby than a commercial enterprise.

It was a hobby, then it became a passion, now it's evolving into a commercial enterprise.

Commercial Enterprise Elements
Advertising space within the leaflets I'll be distributing to promote my service. 5000/mth initially

Advertising space within The Great News magazine.

Advertising space within the articles themselves (highly targetted audience)

Advertising space on my social media sites, or google ads, etc

FREE advertising and promotion for my own products/services, of which there are many

and there are passive income streams built right into the infrastructure of my business model too...

If it looks like a duck and walks/quack/flies like a duck, it is a duck

Make no mistake about it, this is a commercial enterprise, I don't have to walk, talk or act like a businessman to know how to make money.

redcard wrote: »

What you have created is basically a blog.

Thats a very simplistic view, but yes, there are elements of a blog within my business model.

Facebook is basically a blog, as are tumblr and twitter, to name but a few.

If anything, the Great News magazine business model, is part magazine, part blog, part service/product.

There will be a freesheet (physical magazine) distributed locally, there is a digital magazine, and an article database, all tied together through several social media sites.

Sir_Pac

ms_night_ryder wrote: »

I think sir Pac if you can survive on jsa for the next four months whilst building up readership and revenue you should go for it, forget about the tax credits for now, in jsa eyes this is a hobby which isn't making any money, so I think you will be fine, your promotional work will be similar to volunteer work.

My suggestions are finding things like reading clubs, knitting club they hold one in the charity shop near me, placing leaflets on the library notice board as well as giving its occupants fliers, also add any groups as a local interest, also church groups, the latest toddler groups, baby yoga etc.

Maybe place an ad on gum tree, yell etc, approach the local paper, ask for fliers to be added to a paper round maybe.

Hth

Thank you ms_night_ryder; awesome motivation

Please call me Paul

I've taken the first (baby) steps by making my intentions known to the powers that be, so for me at least, there is no going back.

The next few weeks will be interesting if nothing else.

Tiffany_Aching

I've come across a similar (paper) magazine to the type that you are planning - albeit without the weight loss section. I assume you are doing an online only magazine and there will be no paper copies?

Have you had a good look at your local parish magazine? You can usually pick one up in your local church for around 50p - this will give you an idea of the type of things your local community is interested in (obviously there will be different needs in a rural and urban area) and also the local businesses who might be interested in advertising space.

ms_night_rider has some good ideas - maybe for the 1st online addition you can offer a mention of the clubs she suggests in return for a bit of free publicity - leaflets left in a knitting group, a postcard in the charity shop window, that kind of thing?

Our area has a monthly magazine similar to the one you are describing only in paper form rather than online. It's full of information that is freely available -
from bin collection days, ward councillors contact details and local fayres through to history buffs writing a short piece about the town or an elderly person sharing photos and memories. An agony aunt type thing where a problem is aired for advice and members of the public offer their thoughts on last months problem, changes in bus services, people giving reviews of films they have seen, a local councilor writing a few paragraphs about how fantastic and helpful he is, a kids page where they are encouraged to send in jokes to see their names in print - there is no end to the people who just want to see their names put to something and will write for free. All the person who organises it has to do is editing - the content costs nothing.

In between these articles is the advertising and I assume it is worthwhile as the same companies appear almost each time - we are a very rural area with an elderly population so there are a lot of mobile hairdressers, gardeners, odd-job-men, taxi companies, physios etc. etc. adverts with just an occasional childminding or playgroup advert in between. Being an elderly population an online magazine would probably not work too well here, but in the right area I can see potential.

It may be better to have the weight loss support as a separate site, using your magazine for free advertising and linking, rather than making it a section of the magazine. In most areas there are many diet and fitness clubs who rely on local shop windows, notice boards and parish type magazines to advertise and you could lose these guys money if you are promoting a rival (free) service.

Anyway, not sure if any of the above is of any help! Good luck. There are a lot of blogs out there that make money from advertisments, infomercials and links to PDF files you can buy - if you get it right it can work really well.

I'll be subbing to this thread and look forward to hearing how it goes

Fruitloops

I'm finding your thread quite intriguing and inspiring, Sir Pac. I can certainly relate regarding the history of depression and how it can change a person and affect employability. I'll be following your progress and I wish you very best with it all!

fedupfreddie

I have just looked at your homepage, not bad but if you are asking people to support "Abi's Tanzania Challenge" it would help if you gave some information about it.

SiroGarmr

You'll get some honest criticism on here, which I think is vital.
I read a business book called The Devil's Advocate (can I link to it?) which had some great insights.
One that springs to mind is regarding money plans: always double your estimated spends and halve your estimated gains.

Keep posting, don't be discouraged, good luck.

SiroGarmr

It's on Amazon for £3.68 but I got it at the library. Really can't recommend it enough!
The Devil's Advocate: 100 Business Rules You Must Break [Paperback]
Caspian Woods