Task 5 Magazine and Newsstand task

I went into my local newspaper agency and took a picture of the magazine stand. There were many magazines displayed which were layout in a certain way. There were roles of magazines which were set up in order of genre of the magazine. The stands made the so that the magazines are placed in rows which is stacked behind each other. The types of magazines are placed in date of the newest in the front and the oldest in the back, the same type of magazine is in the same row. Each magazine covers two thirds of the one behind it leaving one third of the left hand side exposed. The part exposed is the mast head on the top left hand side of the magazine. Shop keepers do this to advertise the brand which is the first thing customers see and look for. Normally on this side of the page the main headline and featured article is shown.

 

There are many different ways in which magazine companies distribute their magazine products. A magazine distribute method is direct distribution. This means the magazine product goes directly to a potential customer. The distribution is usually given out to the public on the street mainly in busy places, this is so the magazine producers know the their product is not dependent on the public going to buy it but on they to sell it directly to the pubic which ensures them that it is going right into the hands of a customer. This form of distribution is usually free. The sales people also distribute their magazines on the bus by placing them in a noticeable place so the public may pick the magazine up. Companies who use direct distribution do not gain a profit by selling their magazines because it is free but depend on the cost of advertisers putting advertisements in their magazine.

Another way of distribution is newsstands. Newsstands are also like direct distribution because they sell their magazines to the public directly but the companies depend on the customers as well as advertisers for their profit.  These magazines are not free but pay on the spot system. Newsstands also target their audience by selling their products in busy areas like tube station. This type of sale is expensive because it takes money to transport the magazines to the stands. This type of distribution also has a lot of waste because if not all of the magazines are sold it is returned to the retailer and often is thrown away because it is out of date.

Another method of distribution is online. The internet has a wide range of opportunities for to sell their magazines. There are many websites where magazines can be downloaded straight to your pc or laptop. So magazines will cost and some will be free depending on the type. Online is a good way to distribute their magazine because the can advertise it on their main sites or on other sites. On the other hand it is not guaranteed that their magazine is sold.

Another form of distribution is house distribution. This means the magazine is directly going to the customer’s house through the post. This is a good way because the public has to see the magazine so it cannot be ignored. This form of distribution also is expensive because it is free. Linking online distribution to house distribution is another form of distribution. The public could subscribe to magazines online which will be later sent back to the customer’s home or workplace. This is a good form of distribution because the magazine company could get feedback on how much magazines have been sold.

Media technology is another way in which magazines are distributed. On smartphones, tablets and e books magazines are purchased from these devices. Companies make access for portable devices to download their magazines straight to their device using apps. I think this a good technique because more and more of the public are using portable device and it has become common to download. Magazines are creating social networking sites to advertise their magazine; they set up pages on Facebook, twitter and their social networking sites to advertise their magazines. It works because there has been a rising population of the public joining these accounts so the magazines may be recognised more. It is also cheaper for the companies. On the other hand is more expensive for magazine companies to advertise their magazines on TV and radio. This type of advertisement is for more popular and richer magazine companies because it is expensive.