Customer Reviews

Starting & Running a Successful Newsletter or Magazine

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I must disagree with the comments made by the reader from Bremerton, WA. The book is not intended to teach the process of conducting interviews and writing articles and creating a layout. If that is the kind of book you need, I suggest "Make a Zine" by Bill Brent. The very first line of Woodard's introduction states "this book is a step-by-step guide to the business side of publishing". In my opinion, Woodard does a fantastic job of just that. Based on the tips and methods presented in this book, I have prepared a business plan for a publication and will actually begin printing a mag in the near future. The financial section of the book was clearly presented and should be easy enough for anyone from any discipline to grasp if they work at it. However, the true value of this book is in the development of ad and subscription revenue and strategy creation. Great read, very informative and relevant.

For some people, they're only interested in publishing their own writings, only making a zine. For others, they want to make magazines full-time. The only way to make a living off of publishing your own magazine is to make it a business, and this book is PERFECT for those who really are set on organizing their publications. If you wanna do a zine and don't care about getting any money off of it, don't get this book. But if you want some sort of reward for your efforts, you *must* consider getting this book and organizing yourself like a business. I learned a lot from this, and it helped me see and plan on what kind of financing I would need to start my own magazine.

I read three books like this one before starting my magazine. This one was definitely the most complete and understandable. She doesn't cover prining, computers or production technology. And she doesn't talk about writing or editing. But she does a great job showing you how to get subscribers, sell ads, raise startup money, and hire good people. If you want to start a magazine, forget the other books and read this one.

'Starting & Running A Successful Newsletter Or Magazine' is a perfect and very practical guide to the magazine publishing. In the book you will find:

---how to run a profitable publishing business

---how to rise start-up money

---how to find the best readers and turn them into loyal customers

---how to to use ancillary products to boost the bottom line

---how to develope a circulation strategy

---how to use the most efficient marketing channels

---how to attracte top-notch talent

---how to finde a publishing home on the Internet

and much more others 'how to'.

Cheryl Woodard have an excellent experience in this field. She is a co-founder of PC Magazine, PC World, Macworld and Publish -- all the magazines are also publishing now in Russian language. Cheryl writes a very interesting, useful, nice and inspiring book. I like the book very much and recomend it to anyone who is starting up his/her magazine or newsletter. Making a magazine is quite possible even you have't a half a million dollars account.

I was amazed how informative this book is when it comes to getting the business started financially and how to devise a marketing plan, find employees and contractors, and build a readership. However, the book really gives no information on the creative aspect of the business, such as how to pick a layout scheme or weed out useless content. I feel more confident on the business side now, but am still lost as far as building the magazine itself.

If you're looking for a book that covers every inch of the magazine publishing industry, look no more... This book has it all! It's filled with realistic information that will help get you started with your own magazine. From how to develop a successful publication in today's marketplace to dealing with subscriptions and obtaining advertising commitments to building circulation to internet publishing--this book covers everything... Alltogether, it's the book you need to help get you started!

This book is exactly the book I have been searching for - for the past five years! It is well written, easy to read, full of useful and timely information and it's design makes the reader stop and think about what they are planning to do, have done and hope to do. The author is upbeat but realistic - she really lets the reader know when to beware and gives very useful tips on being aware of all the variables of the magazine publishing business. There are many, many examples and useful tips for problem solving. I was especially impresed with how clear, concise and easy it was to read - AND still quite interesting and enjoyable. A book for beginers and those already involved in the magazine publishing world.

To put it plainly, this book stinks. It was so bad that I sent it back. The book tells you nothing about making an actual newsletter or magazine. It merely goes over the management and money aspects. It has sections on what to charge for advertisements, stealing talent, taxes, hiring a staff, etc. If you are looking to create a newsletter or magazine I wouldn't recommend this book. If you a businessman or CEO then this book may be suitable to you. Overall I wouldn't advise anyone buying this.

Woodard does an excellent job of explaining the financial aspects of magazine publishing. She also gives the reader many ideas on targeting an audience and advertisers. However, the book may fall a little short on creativity, such as how to color outside the lines in finding new ways to sell subscriptions and gain advertisers. Direct mailing and newstands can only go so far. Overall, the book allows the reader to get a good handle on the basics of starting a magazine.

I am researching the possiblity of putting together an online magazine. I immediately jumped into chapters 5 & 12 (and that's all I have read to this point). Let me just say that those 2 chapters *alone* provided me with a WEALTH of INVALUABLE content!!!!!! If I never read more than the 2 chapters I have already read then my money has been well spent! This not only equips the reader but also gives great insight and background into the publishing arena. Not for those who get bored with insightful detail.