Spanish Property Magazine Cover
I thought it would be a good time to look into the publishing arena as the sales of newspapers and magazines continue to drop exponentially (My timing is always good as you know). People still like reading though. All that is needed is a new medium for them to be able to do it. After all what good is a beach if there is nothing for you to read while lying on it? The Kindle is great, it sits there and weighs so little, however it is a bit boring compared to other devices, black and white and minimalist.
The iPad is the daddy for consuming content and the new screen on the iPad3 with the retina display makes it possible now to use it as a reading device on the beach (Never try this with the original iPad, you won’t see anything on that screen in the sun). However the iPad can do so much more than black and white and what do people like to read? Books and Magazines in general.
So I produced a magazine about Spain and Spanish Property especially for the iPad so I could play about with it and introduce elements that are not usually found within a magazine. During the process, about two months from concept to publication, I found out quite a lot about the magazine publishing business for iPad. Here are ten of those lessons for when you decide to do it. Further down the line I will tell you how.
One: Editing a magazine is easy. You just need content.
Two: Getting content is easy. Well it is if you are editing a magazine. People want their writing to be featured in magazines so they are willing to help out to “Get their name in lights”. It’s excellent for the CV.
Three: I am so glad I have an iPhone camera. Seriously the basis of any magazine are the images to make it stand out and the best camera is the one you have with you when the photo is ready to be taken. You always have your phone and the images it can capture are brilliant for illustrating a magazine.
Four: Finding advertisers is easy. New technology = new eyeballs with disposable income. All you need now are readrship figures that makes them want to come on board.
Five: Imagination is in short supply outside of your own little world. As you know what the technology can do you can push the boat out a little. Those who are to be featured in the magazine whether they be advertisers or article providers need to be aware of the possibilities that an iPad magazine allows them. Video, mailing lists, audio and images can be used so well along with the basic text.
Six: You get to realise how far ahead of the curve you are in your own market. What is the reaction of other estate agents to seeing this technology in action? Stunned silence normally followed by the question “How can I do this?”
Seven: Pricing is a difficult one. This is a new area publishing magazines for the iPad and the price point needs to be compared to the impulse buying of apps or traditional magazines or papers. I am not yet decided if the magazine is better as a freebie or paid subscription but that will come further down the line.
Eight: Making video is easy. I always knew this as I once produced 100 video tips for moving to Spain in just four days. Talking to a camera is not difficult once you get rid of the self conscious bit. However I had got out of the habit and producing video from stills is a bit less creative. Videos work in an awesome way in the iPad magazines.
Nine: Established publications feel threatened. Talk to a competitor already established in the field and feel the fear they have. No collaboration possible there is there Living Spain magazine.
Ten: JFDI! Don’t think, just do it with an adjective in the middle. People will love what you produce. Just get down to work and produce something good.
So my magazine you can find here. It is awesome even if I say so myself and the first issue is free so if you have an iPad get along to the itunes store and download it even if you have no interest in Spanish Property. It works as a masterclass in JFDI.
