Take the 60 second self-assessment to see if magazine publishing is right for you.
First, let's look at who magazine publishing is NOT for.
If you're in business today selling a product or service that's transactional in nature, chances are magazine publishing isn't going to be a good choice.
What's a "transactional" business?
It's a business model where there's a one-and-done nature to the product.
The consumer or company needs what you're selling, they do their research, buy your product, and move on.
Further along those lines, transactional products tend to have nothing to speak of in the way of rabid fans or places where those fans are congregating online and in person to immerse themselves in the field.
Things like:
- antivirus software
- auto / life / health insurance
- poison ivy treatment
- paper towels
Without even looking, it's a safe bet there's no Facebook group for paper towel enthusiasts.
It's a HUGE industry for sure, but it's a one-and-done product with no depth to the product.
There's no one researching the industry, learning about it, and seeking out conventions of fellow enthusiasts.
On the flip side, if you're in a business (or are just looking to start a magazine in a given field) where there's HUGE enthusiasm from people for your topic, chances are: there's a magazine there.
What you're looking for are a few things:
1. Depth of topic
2. Breadth of topic
Let's dig into each.
Deep topics are ones where there are typically "lines" that separate the newcomers from advanced enthusiasts and professionals.
In other words: you can tell the newbies from the pros.
In topics with depth, there are people at each level. (Paper towels as a topic has zero depth.)
In contrast, where there are deep topics there may well be magazines aimed at:
- newcomers
- serious amateurs
- professionals
Now, let's talk breadth.
Topics with breadth have many facets to them and often can be split into sub-topics or sub-genres.
Let's take photography for example.
Within photography there's smart phone photography, wildlife photography, portraiture, sports photography, architectural photography, fashion photography, and on and on.
And, within each of THESE, there's a ton of information out there.
So, if your topic is non-transactional and has both breadth and depth: bingo.
You're onto something.