The Shroud Underground

rsmccoy · Acolyte Joined: 19 Mar 2008 Posts: 22

The topic is actually larger than ezines vs print mags. It's also free vs paid. Now you can't really have a free print mag, but recently a pro pay market called Noctum Aeturnus, closed shop. The publisher said he had 6,000 people subscribed, but couldn't make ends meet with only advertising. He laid out 2,000 to get issue #1 out, and there won't be an issue #2. Now he alsa had some life changes (aka a new baby), but the reality seems ot be that you can't pay pro and be free. A lot of you have been around a lot longer than I have and have seen markets fail before issue #1. So what is a successful model?

**shroud** · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject:

This is such a good question, one that I am looking for some insight in as well. I read somewhere that you should never ever try to sell ad space in your first issue. If he had 6000 subscribers at time of issue one, then just imagine where he would be at issue 6 etc.

I think a business model should take into account the time it takes to build a readership, establish relationships, and of course the costs involved over a period of at least two years. I do not plan to profit in the short term, however, I do plan to keep plugging away. Hell I have to, I owe R. Scott McCoy a lifetime subscription. Smile

_________________
Tim Deal
Editor & Publisher
Shroud Magazine
The Journal of Dark Fiction and Art
http://www.shroudmagazine.com
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1-800-796-3759

Steve Vernon · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:53 pm Post subject:

Starting a magazine, publishing company or e-zine is just the same as starting any kind of business. If you don't have a big fat mattressful of back-up money stay the hell home.

Oh, it can be done and I am certain there are always exceptions to this big broad rule - but you can hammer a nail with a screwdriver handle and that still doesn't make you a carpenter.

(strikes a guru pose) Cool