ABSTRACT
It is pointless even to begin considering writing for magazines without weighing the opportunities to get published. What are the chances? The process of recognizing the opportunities and taking advantage of them begins with an understanding of the industry, the people (the publishers and editors) who operate in it, and the consumers (the readers) whose interests must be served. Thus, fitting in requires an appreciation of the dynamics of the magazine publishing industry and the characteristics of magazine readers. What is the motivation of publishers and editors in putting out magazines? (What is their editorial purpose? What is their advertising purpose?) What is the motivation of the reader in buying and reading them? (What are their interests, their needs?) These are vital considerations for the magazine writer to make in developing a successful writing strategy that is as much about marketing as it is about solid reporting and writing. The first step in getting to “know” the magazine and its readers, of course, is in coming to understand the nature of the magazine publishing business. Learning Objectives
How to begin to “know” the magazine and “know” the audience.
How magazines are categorized according to their subject matter, and how these categories have become more specialized through history.
How magazine publishing is distinguished from other media production.
The reasons people turn to magazines to read the stories you will write and how you can connect with them.
How best to tell stories in a contemporary environment across platforms to satisfy the needs and interests of readers.
