Customer Reviews

Starting & Running a Successful Newsletter or Magazine

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a good general overview, but it misses some important stuff that someone who is generally unfamiliar with the publishing business will need to know before attempting to start a magazine.

I found the book lacking in the basic details I needed to know, such as where to find distributors, how to get a UPC code, how to recruit new writers, etc. For a basic overview and particularly for the marketing side of owning a magazine (which is very important), I'd recommend this book. For the nuts-and-bolts stuff I'd recommend the e-book, "How Not to Start a Magazine," published by Palfrey Media ...

Other than not saying much about design or providing statistical information, this is about as good as a book for this topic can get.

I found the information regarding circulation and subscriptions to be of especial help from a hands-on viewpoint. Note that James Kobak in How To Start A Magazine and Publish It Profitably takes a more statistical view which also is of vital importance, but he lacks the down-to-earth manner of Cheryl Woodard. It's a shame the two couldn't get together and combine both views!

What I found of less value was the chapter about raising money and managing employees. Frankly, such topics could be removed and the book would suffer no a whit.

She did a great job discussing internet publishing and should expand on the topic in the next edition.

Cheryl was a co-founder of PC Magazine and MacWorld and certainly understands the business aspects. Readers need to understand this. They also, though, could use lay-out help, say by the inclusion of examples and templates on a companion cd that could also list the web sites she refers to. Then, you would have a book that would be pretty close to perfect!

Again, I heartily recommend this book!

Easy to read and covers a wide range of topics, the only thing
it doesnt have is a cheque for you to start your business.

This book tells you everything from A to Z. I ordered three books on this subject. But I can't tell how how much more information I received from this one. I am thankful that I waited for this new edition to come out. I am confident that you will be just as pleased.