How are magazines distributed to the public?

1. Christabel Kusi

2. Publishing is the production and communication of literature, music or
simply information, and broadcasting to the general public, for example
tourism leaflets. The main four publishers are - EMAP Bauer, NatMag,
Conde Nast and IPC. The publishers will control the editorial content and
design of the magazine, as well as managing healthy relationships
between advertisers who generate 40-100% of their companys’ revenue.
Distribution is the final stage in publication which involves making the
finished product available to the public, usually offering it by sale.

3. An interrelated arrangement of people, storage facilities and
transportation systems that move good or services from producers to
consumers, in this case – magazines. So a distribution network is the system
a company uses to get products from the manufacturer to the retailer.
Each publisher uses a network of distributors who administer the process of
magazines from the printer to the newsstand where it is sold. The main
place where magazines are sold are at supermarkets or newsagents, after
being transported in lorries to regional distributors.

4. It is the arrangement of which any unsold magazines are returned to distributor
with no cost to the retailer. This is beneficial to retailer as there are no risks or
wastage involved. But it is a very wasteful and an environmentally damaging
for publisher/distributor.

5. A method where basic magazines are issued to public for free, while more
advanced features must be paid for. They are frequently given out at bus
stations and busy public locations. Freemium magazines make all their
revenue from advertising.

6. Regular readers of a certain magazine may wish to subscribe to a number
of issues, and have the magazine regularly posted to them (Usually at a
heavily discounted price). This makes it easier for readers to access
magazine and ensures a solid readership for the magazine brand.
Electronic distributions work in the similar way except that the magazines
are delivered to them through inbox, Kindle Fire or iPad/Tablet.

7. Ezines distributions are where magazines are only published in electronic
form on a computer network, with features such as pages that can
be turned, adverts and page numbers. RWD is a good example of
music magazines that use ezine distribution. Ezines are usualyy free of
cost and will also have other features such as video clips and
hyperlinks that redirect the reader to another source.

8. Many magazines now have smartphone or iPad apps with some or
all of the content available in the hard copy of the magazine. These
may be linked via a smart QR (quick response) code on the front
cover of a magazine. Two examples of music magazines that are
available as apps are - The Fader and Rhapsody.

9. Most magazines now extend their magazine online like social
networks – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc…
They may also extend into gig and other events. For example NME.