PH Publishing asked me to create four pages (front cover, contents and double page spread) of a magazine for the opening of their new publishing house aimed at a Sheffield audience. This means that I have to decide on effective genre idea for my magazine that'll be effective in allowing me top pull in a large audience so that SPH's new publishing house is successful. To decide on this I decided to mind map my potential ideas, and then go in depth on the strengths and weaknesses of my favourites to decide on the genre.
Magazine Ideas
Fashion-
Strengths: Extremely popular genre of magazine, meaning codes and conventions are easy to follow, as well as being easily identifiable by my target audience. This increases circulation and readership as my magazine easily appearing as fashion means that people will recognise it and pick it up. As well as this fashion has a wide mainstream audience compared to other alternatives such as business, meaning I can target a much larger audience for a higher readership.
Weaknesses: Little experience in the genre meaning the product would be less authentic. This may reduce readership numbers and have a negative impact on the success of my product as it isn't of a high enough standard. The genre also has a very saturated market. This means that it would be difficult for me to fulfil a niche that makes my magazine stand out and draw in an audience who wouldn't just prefer the other alternatives of big brand magazines.
Business-
Strengths: I work in the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce meaning production is easier as i can include them as a feature. This immediately allows my magazine to enter the market with a draw that'll pull a lot of readers in. If the first issue is well read and circulation is high because of this feature, it'll mean I have secured a target audience so that the magazine has an impactful start and will secure success.
Weaknesses: A very professional genre meaning information will need to be very accurate and useful, if not a mass audience gathered by the feature will soon put the magazine down and demand for a second issue will be low. Another weakness includes that magazine conventions for 'business' is vastly different to other genres meaning a lot of research on this genre is required in order to effectivley create a imagine that follows the conventions.
Movies and Film-
Strengths: I personally am well versed in the genre as its something I am interested in, resulting in me being much more aware of codes and conventions of film so that I can effectively use them to target my audience and identify with them. This would result in the magazine not only being easier for me to create but also allow me to secure an audience that like what I'm presenting.
Weaknesses: Legislation is extremely difficult as well known movies are copyrighted and owned by conglomerates. Without these well known movies, it doesn't draw in audiences and greatly reduces the topics I can cover for a magazine. The magazine also being in its first issue means that it doesn't have a portfolio of work that conglomerates will want to see in order to sign a deal. This means I can't talk about the hot topics of the moment that the readers want to hear about and won't be able to create an effective feature that is important to draw a majority of my audience in.
