An unusual local magazine...

[Dien Rice]

Hi,

I just read an article about a local magazine, which is interesting, because it has an unusual distribution...

Like many other magazines, it is distributed free. It makes its money from advertising.

However, what's unusual (at least to me), is that at least half of the issues they print are distributed free through schools.

The publication is Southwest Washington Family.

Their magazine is targeted at parents (Moms), along with their kids... That means that local businesses who want to reach families in particular (those with school age children), have a vehicle to do so.

I wonder if this model could be implemented elsewhere? Of course, you would need the cooperation of the schools, too.

The magazine has light-hearted family- and kid-friendly information. For example, the latest issue has an article on how to grow potatoes in a garbage can, a short article on what to prepare and bring when you go camping (during the summer holiday), and a fun info-graphic with cow facts!

Among the advertisements are promotions for two dental clinics, for an orthodontist, a local church social event, a local annual "blueberry festival," a local bank, a local hospital, a local veterinary hospital, and others...

Apparently, the magazine has been profitable for a while...

Just thought I'd "throw this out there"... It's a good idea. But it would take preparation and organization to make something like this happen (particularly as you need the cooperation of the schools)...

They also have several distribution locations as well (various libraries and local businesses), where people can pick up a free copy.

Here's the article I read...

http://inlandpress.org/articles/2013...4240619674.txt

You can find more about Southwest Washington Family magazine from their website (including the most recent issue, and past issues)...

http://swwfamily.com

Best wishes,

Dien

Hi Dien,

I was reading all about that publication too amongst other Great ideas!

So many Excellent business models to Seriously consider these Days for those who can Find the Time and/or consider Outsourcing etc., etc...

Definitely all Kinds of Very interesting Opportunities and Lots of Ways to Take them into Various other Unique areas, Industries and Marketplaces if you'd Like...

Quick examples! ...

Some may Know or Remember some of the following But just in case some Need more Ideas, Publication related business models, Concepts and much, more more...

Study and Learn from just [A] few More of the following...

In [No] particular order...
http://www.bpubs.com/free-magazine/subscriptions.htm
http://www.tradepub.com/
http://www.freetrademagazinesource.com/

8 Unique Magazines I Just Learned About | Mental Floss...
http://mentalfloss.com/article/17539...-learned-about

13 Expensive Niche Magazines That Are Still Surviving In Print...
http://www.businessinsider.com/most-...s-2010-11?op=1

Always! ... More stuff to [Dig] around into & Think about! ...

All the best,
Phil

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by Phil

Hi Dien,

I was reading all about that publication too amongst other Great ideas!

So many Excellent business models to Seriously consider these Days for those who can Find the Time and/or consider Outsourcing etc., etc...

Thanks Phil!

Definitely some interesting (and in some cases, unusual) stuff there...

I think print magazines will survive, though they'll do better in some niches than others...

I think the way to think of things now is to think of building a community... A magazine can be one component of that community. However, of course, other elements could be too...

Some magazines have disappeared... then come back. One of those is "Brain, Child" magazine - "The Magazine for Thinking Mothers"...

http://www.brainchildmag.com

Here's the story of how one of its readers bought it, when she heard it would be closing...

http://www.literarymama.com/profiles...e-soviero.html

This shows how there are opportunities out there to purchase business assets with "stored value." I don't know much about its readers, but "Brain, Child" magazine had "stored value" in the sense that it had current and past subscriber lists, and also an existing very positive reputation. As well as making it available in print again, Marcelle Soviero (who bought it, and also became its editor-in-chief) also made it available for electronic subscription, too (and further increased its value that way)...

Part of the key, I think, was she had the "skills to pay the bills." She had past experience as an editor, a writer, and also in magazine PR. With the right skills (especially marketing skills), you can buy existing business assets cheaply, and make them profitable...

Best wishes,

Dien