Freelance Writing for the Changing Magazine Industry

Apr 14, 2011
Judy Haar

Magazines Industry Questions - Pixomar

If you want to write for magazines, know where the industry is going and how you can be a successful writer in the changing times.

Do you write for magazines or would you like to? Maybe you should know what the future brings for the magazine industry. Read this article to get up-to-date information.

The Latest News

Typically, a magazine is supported by advertisers and consumers. Following a report on advertising revenue should give indications of the future of magazine sales. According to the Association of Magazine Media, the first quarter of 2011 had an increase of 6.1% advertising revenue over the past year and a constant increase for the past four quarters. According to mediaIDEAS blog, which provides research and advice on issues specific to the publishing industry, the magazine industry wants to reduce its reliance on advertising by charging more. The recession makes this risky business indeed. In fact, special offers are making print magazines cost less, so where are they going?

You can't stay in business through declining costs and the spiral down. It's getting harder to find a good magazine news stand, making the single-copy sales that lead into subscriptions harder. The future may be a price for the bundle, which not only includes print but access to the digital platform as well, a value-added solution for an increased cost. The future will also provide online specialty pieces or one-offs to the subscriber that couldn't be offered in print. The well-thought-out plan may include eventually eliminating the print magazine completely but most say this will never happen. E-readers are also bringing the magazine to the digital age quickly. With the advent of the Kindle and Nook, bringing magazines to the e-reader could increase revenue, but the trend may not make up the difference in revenue as print declines and online increases.

News for the Freelance Writer

What does this mean to the freelance writer? In times of change, the freelance writer must change as well. The key is, how do you keep it interesting and relevant in a changing world with no certain future in sight? With all the tools available to the freelance writer, the deliverable must be the best content to the magazine subscriber in the most efficient way possible. Find the topics that sell. Here are some ideas:

A place to start would be "The Top 10 Everything of 2010" for topics listing the popular stories. Look at what interests the reading public and go from there.
Take a look for advice on fresh topics for freelance writers.
Search Catalogs.com. Look for the magazine that fits your writing style.
Look through the listings of top magazines.

Once you have picked a magazine, read the submission requirements and study it. Know who you are writing for and what their subscribers want to read. Specialize in a topic and dominate the niche market. Write what you enjoy and be passionate about it. It will all come down to quality of content. Keep your writing exciting.