Question three -

The production process of a magazine product starts with someone having an initial idea for a magazine, which they then turn into a brain storm after researching similar products and the market. If the idea then has enough potential it is then presented to a company who would be interested in making the magazine, if the idea/presentation is accepted that company will produce and print the magazine, when it is then available for retail it will be shipped/delivered to relevant shops etc for the public to purchase.

Despite prior comments, I think Bauer Media would be interested in my magazine as after looking at their reader profile I have noted they do not sell any magazines of the genre of mine, indie pop. Thus my magazine will be a ‘tool’ for them to enter that new and niche market. In the Bauer Media reader profile it states there audience are affluent, therefore their magazines will be of a high quality and reflect the higher end of the price range in terms of magazines, this is something my magazine exemplifies. After looking at Bauer Media’s Kerrang’s reader profile I believe my magazine has the same principles behind it as my magazine is more a similar age range who ‘are sharp, intelligent and rejoice in their individuality’, therefore if this is the market Bauer Media target then my product will be of their interest to them as they will already know how to advertise to and target this audience meaning they won’t have to think of new techniques and selling strategies which will save them time and money,  something a big company like them will consider highly. Bauer Media also have a very good reputation and sell a numerous amount of well selling music magazines such as Q, Mojo and Kerrang, this is something I have took into great consideration when choosing a magazine publisher as obviously I want a company which has had good sells as it means my magazine has a better chance to do well in terms of retail as the company will know what techniques for advertising etc work best.

Products such as Kerrang are advertised through its corresponding television channels, radio, tour posters/sites, social networking sites and internet; this is very effective as these agents of advertising are most popular for the target audience in terms of hobbies and age. Also these are worldwide advertising agents, thus it is reaching a greater volume as let’s say a billboard would and therefore they are enabling there product to be seen by more people resulting in more people buying it. As my product has a similar target audience to Kerrang I would also use similar advertisement agents. Facebook and Twitter usually offer free advertising so this would be convenient in terms of saving money and it would enable me to directly contact my audience as these are the two most popular networking sites, I could create a like page where I could regularly update about the magazine. I would also apply for my magazine to be advertised commercially on television, I would select music channels which play indie pop, the same music genre as my magazine, as the viewers of this channel are going to be more likely to purchase my magazine than someone who prefers a different type of music- I would do similarly with my advertising agent of radio and music tour posters/sites.

When distributing my product I would aim to put it in shops such as; HMV (alongside music of the genre as my magazine), Tesco, Asda, WHSmiths and newsagents as this would make my product easy to access for the public. I would also offer a subscription where you can get it delivered as I am aware a lot of people do this for other magazines such as Kerrang, this would enable loyal and regular customers to get it delivered via post to ensure they get their own copy of the magazine weekly, although this would be more costly to the consumer as posting and packaging cost’s would occur but I could low the costs as an incentive.  Also, there is a emerge of Web 2.0 which will make it a lot easier for my product to be distributed and advertised online as there is advertising agencies that could be ‘add ons’ and website/pages of indie pop clothing and music which would enable me to reach a larger audience with in the genre. I also think it would be a good idea to use the internet as a way for people to subscribe online and read the magazine, after asking round my peer group  (of the same age and interests of the target audience of my product) if this would be of interest to them I found it would as they evidently spend a lot of time online and this would save them going to the shop etc.