Feedback/Ideas for New Magazine?


Hi Guys,

In perusing the forums here at A-gon it is very apparent to me that many of you do not trust commercial magazines and reviewers. Obviously, with any magazine the derives its income mainly from commercial advertising, questions always arise regarding reviewer bias and the mag's political slant. I constantly see the question, "Why are there no negative reviews?"

Having been a reviewer for 4 magazines, I know the insider's perspective of why there are very few negative reviews published. In life, it is true that you get what you pay for, and since many of the e-zines are free and the print mags are very inexpensive because they pack in lots of advertising dollars to cover their costs, this maxim holds true.

More and more lately, I've been leaning toward starting my own audio magazine, which would allow me the freedom to be unusually candid and truthful about the topics and review gear the magazine covers.

My question, is: "Would you be willing support a magazine that is mainly funded by subscriptions if you had to pay a minimal yearly fee for it?" Please be honest, because as much as I'd love to start a venture like this, there's no point in doing it if there won't be a market for it. I'm speaking of an online publication to begin with; print would come much later, if at all.

Let me know what you think, and feel free to e-mail me privately if you prefer.

Thank You!
plato

Showing 2 responses by clueless

Hi Plato:

Are you considering the classic hardcopy magazine or an online magazine?

There are staggering costs associated with hardcopy and it makes going w/o advertising very difficult. A number of small specialty mags have bit the dust and those left standing have moved on to video and HT. IMHO, there are powerful $$$ reasons for this.

I suggest (if you have not already) you talk to an editor like Ed Dell of AudioXpress (I remember a lead editorial about a year ago bemoaning the lack of advertising and the implications for his mag) or Dave Robinson/Dave Clark of Positive Feedback (now online) about it.

Cheers and Good Luck
I remain,
Guess I should learn to read.
Still would talk to those folks.

And Sean(and whoever else)is right, Any half technical article should have a printer friendly version.

Sincerely,
I remain