How would i go about creating a free distributed magazine in my area?!

How would i go about creating a free distributed magazine in my area?

What legal requirments do i have to consider? And what is a resonable amount to ask advertisers to advertise within the magazine? I live in england

Hi Barba,

I have published several free magazines in England, so can probably help you a little with your question.

First thing...above all else! Decide what you want your magazine/newsletter to be about. If you are intending this as a money-making plan, generating enough cash for you to earn your living, there are quality issues to be decided.

There are almost no legal requirements to meet. If you produce something and give it away, you are not subject to needing licences, etc.

If you employ a number of people to distribute the magazine, either by home delivery or by taking to willing outlets, where your publication can be collected by its readers, you MAY have to satisfy the emloyment sections (especially if you use schoolchildren) of the law.

A good idea is to find an organisation that needs a voice e.g. Arts Councils, Local Authorities, Large Corporations, etc. This way you have an (almost) ready-made readership.

You will need, of course, to be able to write convincingly and entertainingly about the chosen subject. Produce sample magazines and take these to show your prospective advertisers, not forgetting to stress the large (sorry, enormous!) expected readership. Be aware of the methods of distribution, advertisers will ask questions!

If the plan is to have a much larger distribution than could be printed off economically on your home printer, using your DTP program, then you should take your sample to a professional printer (if it is for a local authority you may (May?) be lucky and get the Council's own printers to print it for you) This will save you a fortune and mean your advertising rates can be more attractive.

When you know your expected printing and distribution costs and the expected number to be printed each week/month you will be able to work out how much to charge for the advertising. This means to be worked out very accurately as advertising revenue is the ONLY income you will get, yet there will always be extra costs to find (believe me)

Hope that helps a little...it can be done. I ran an arts magazine for the Arts Council for several years and was fortunate to get Warrington Town Hall to cover the costs of printing each month.

The next hardest part of the whole thing is to VISIT your proposed advertisers with a sound business plan so you can give them accurate (or at least consistent!) figures so they will believe their advertising money will bring a good return to them. (and don't forget to nail the buggers down!)

Good luck. If you have any specific questions I haven't answered here, please feel free to e-mail me with any further questions...I'll be glad to help.

Cheers,

BobSpain