Traditional Distribution

Magazines are distributed in a number of different ways. In an age so vastly dominated by technology, it's no surprise that many magazines offer digitized distribution services. Many magazines offer a digital copy available through either their website, an app, or through email. However, more traditionally, distribution involves getting a paper copy, or "hard copy", of the magazine to the subscriber. There are many ways of doing this. Magazines are sold by a number of purveyors, including big-box stores, bookstores, news stands, grocery stores, airports, smaller businesses, etc. But in these situations, a person is buying just one issue of a magazine. It is absolutely vital for a magazine to have a string subscriber base if it is to be successful. With "hard copies" of magazines, this means that each new issue of the magazine will be mailed to the subscriber's house. One way magazines build their number of subscribers is by including a mail-back card in each issue of their magazine. This lets readers choose if they want to subscribe to a magazine as they are reading it. Additionally, magazine companies often attend or sponsor events that relate to the topic that they cover, which builds publicity. They also often offer promotional issues or subscriptions to the attendees of these events. Libraries also subscribe to magazines and make the latest issue available for reading or sometimes even checkout. This lets people decide if they wan to subscribe to a magazine without even having to buy an issue.

My magazine will be available on a variety of platforms. I will have a website where subscribers can view the latest issue, as-well as email and "snail-mail" services. I also plan on partnering with big-box stores, supermarkets, and a variety of other distributors to help sell single copies of the magazine. People will be able to sign up for a subscription either by use of the mail-back card included in every issue, email, or by subscribing online.