How to launch an independent magazine

The only course an independent publisher will ever need

New independent titles hit the shelves every week, but very few of them make it past their first year. So how do you go about making a beautiful independent magazine that reflects your passions, but is also a sustainable business? This comprehensive weekend masterclass looks at independent publishing from every angle, including how to find an appreciative and profitable niche, how to get the distribution you need for a price you can afford, how to create a workable digital strategy, and how to create a media pack that will attract stockists and advertisers.

The weekend offers expert instruction from leading editors, publishers and creative and digital consultants, as well as detailed handouts and individually tailored practical projects to ensure you end the course with a better, leaner and more focused publication.

Course description

A range of talks, discussions and practical workshops designed to achieve practical results for your project over the weekend, and give you the skills, strategies and contacts to build your brand over the longer term.

• Overview of the independent magazine market and the opportunities within it
• Creating a media pack that will impress distributors, stockists, advertisers and contributors
• How to use social media and retail strategies, including merchandising, to make an impact and increase revenue
• Introduction to distribution, and the costs, services and benefits of lead providers
• First-hand lessons from magazine publishers
• Finding your niche and establishing your place in the market, using reader profiles and research to identify your audience
• Building an effective digital strategy no matter what your needs or technical abilities
• Turning your ideas into reality

This course is for you if…

• You plan to launch an independent magazine or online magazine and want to know how to connect with an audience and monetise your enterprise
• You currently publish an independent magazine and are looking to increase its circulation, visibility and/or profitability
• You run a blog and are considering establishing a complementary print edition

Tutor profiles

Steven Watson is the founder of innovative magazine distributor Stack, which he started five years ago in an attempt to help independent publishers find a wider readership. He also co-founded the Printout events in east London which recently featured in the Observer. A keen champion of the UK and global magazine scene, Steven has written for and edited magazines for the last 10 years, and as lead tutor brings a wealth of experience to this event.

James Montague is a founding editor of Delayed Gratification, a slow journalism quarterly, where he writes long form features on anything from Welsh terrorists to a long lost film funded by Saddam Hussein and starring Oliver Reed. He writes for the New York Times, CNN, GQ and World Soccer magazine, and can be heard on the BBC World Service World Football show. He is also the author of two books: When Friday Comes: Football, War and Revolution in the Middle East (deCoubertin Books) and Thirty One Nil: On the Road With Football's Outsiders, a World Cup Odyssey, which will be published by Bloomsbury in May.

Jeremy Leslie runs the influential blog magCulture, the online journal of creative innovation. Few people are as well versed in the independent sector to provide an overview of the market for independent publishers as Jeremy, who provides a full map of the opportunities – and stresses – awaiting you in the independent market.

Guy Andrews is the founder and editor of acclaimed cycling magazine Rouleur, described by the Wall Street Journal as being 'Indispensable for the stylish cycling connoisseur'. Guy will speak about the importance of finding a niche for your publication – Rouleur's niche has seen the brand expand into guidebooks, podcasts and merchandising, including cycling gear and even a unique range of vinyl figurines.

Esra Gokgoz is content strategist at multi-award-winning creative agency Human After All. With clients including Google and Adidas, HAA are global leaders in creative consultancy, and Esra's talk on digital strategy is a priceless opportunity to benefit from their experience.

Success stories from this course

Last September we hosted this weekend and it's been incredible to see the magazines and other projects started by the people who took part. Click here to view past attendees work.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website