1. 10A. SECTION C –STARTING PLANNING by SUMMARISING RESEARCH FINDINGS
Summary of all Research Findings- preparing for the formal proposal
Before your start your formal proposal, you need to briefly summarise all of your main findings as
shown in the example below. Please note only some of the findings are recorded here.
You need to adapt this example to your specific research findings.
SUMMARISE ALL OF YOUR TASK FINDINGS AND HOW THESE WILL INFLUENCE YOUR
MAGAZINE
A. Summary of Research done into general information about music magazines
Music magazines often reflect the times that they are written in, when the musical world
changes, magazines must change with it, in order to survive and be successful.
You must give the audience what they want, in order for magazines to sell, this can be done by
asking your target audience what they want in the form of questionaires and also by doing
background research.
There must be good articles which reflect the tone of the magazine, other magazines which
contain a similar genre, can help to understand the basic conventions.
Your own magazine must contain its own individual style, which most importantly makes it
stand out from others.
They need to deliver a story, which could contain gossip which might interest the reader and entertain
them.
Most significantly the magazines market must be aware of AIDA
A – Attract audience, use of bright colours, image and text
I – Interest, articles and sell lines should entice the audience.
D – Desire, lure the reader by adding competitions, posters or give freebies
A – Act – people to buy your product, motivate them into purchasing, for example, creating a sense of
urgency with a limited-time offer or limited supply.
B. Research into real music magazines (summary of findings)
Generic conventions of music magazines
Front covers must have;
masthead at top
barcode/price/date
striking image (consistent with the genre of indie/rock)
Contents pages have
word “contents” at top
date/issue number

2. range of images all anchored with text and page number
use columns for text with subheadings such as features/gossip/gig guides etc
tile of magazine is to be found somewhere on page
contents clearly links with cover in terms of style and genre
The Double Page Spread Article
Very big image dominated with image anchored with text
Written article has dramatic main heading (short and snappy) with subheading (summarising
what article is going to be about)
The copy/text is written in paragraphs (generally between 2-3)
All 3 parts of the magazine are clearly connected using a range of elements including:
same font choices throughout (generally around 3 types)
same colour scheme/themes
magazine title/slogan is on all 3 pages
Info on front is carried through into contents and then onto article
Contents are consistent with the chosen genre i.e. indie/rock magazines would feature indie/rock
bands/music/scene/gigs etc
Same style of language/attitude throughout i.e. Rock breaking the rules/rebellious attitude
Summary of Research into genre:
My chosen genre is indie/rock and I found that:
This is generally aimed at people aged 16-21
Images play a big role in the magazine and are of much importance in that they need to be
striking and stand out
They tend to be aimed at males in general, but recently more and more females have been
interested in it and my magazine will be aimed at both
The readers enjoy the lyrics of the songs especially
Summary of research into my chosen style model for my magazine (which is e.g. Q magazine…….)
Below are images of my chosen magazine on which I would like to base my magazine:
Covers
CONTENTS PAGES I WOULD LIKE TO
EMULATE (USE AS EXAMPLES FOR MY
MAGAZINE)

3. ARTICLES I WOULD
LIKE TO USE AS STYLE
MODELS
Types of images found
in Q magazine
STRIKING,
BEAUTIFUL,
MYSTERIOUS,
THOUGHTFUL,
EXCITING,
THRILLING,
ORIGINAL, STANDS
OUT, IMAGES ARE
MADE TO LOOK
IMPRESSIVE AND INCORPORATE BRIGHT LIGHTING
TO ENHANCE THE CHARACTER’S FACE
C. Target audience research
Overall conclusion of my target audience research using questionnaires. NB the points below are just
examples. You must change these to reflect what you found out from your target audience research)
I can conclude the following and will summarise how this will affect the making of my magazine:
1. THE COVER SHOULD BE:
bright but moody
feature images of top indie bands (the most popular artists were Blink
182 and Coldplay so I will base my fictional band on them)
offer freebies such as posters/band merchandise (will look at Kerrang
and see how it incorporates freebies)

4. have gossipy sell-lines as well as indie –rock related cover-lines
have a header summarising main contents
attractive with unusual images/shots etc
2. THE CONTENTS SHOULD INCLUDE:
Gossip such as…
band info
lots of variety of rock images and info
be rebellious/with attitude
minimum of 50 pages
gig guides
interviews with bands such as Blink 182 or Coldplay
3. THE ARTICLE SHOULD BE:
informal and chatty
include questions and answers
have lots of images
use sub-headings to break up writing
be about the music but interesting-possibly with fashion and/or politics
4. GENERAL INFO
Only 50% of my potential target audience have ever bought a music mag, but would be
persuaded by them if they had more information on exclusive interviews and included free
gifts. The majority thought around £2-£3 was feasible for this type of music magazine.
I also have to work on attracting the audience in the first place as there is a real gap in the
market for my magazine which targets both males and females (aged 16-21) and interested in
indie/rock music. I will analyse my target audience questionnaires and focus groups in more
detail so I can work hard on giving the audience what they want and therefore attract them
to buy the magazine.
Having summarised these results I am now ready to complete my formal proposal and start planning my
own music magazine.