Clubsnap magazine
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auralasia
Member
that's a valid point, but 60-70% of all communication is non-verbal so I'm more keen to do a physical meet. it's not an online / offline / soft copy / hard copy issue, it's something intangible that you can only get from meeting in the flesh that I think is valuable. Once things are going, I can foresee skype being a regular forum for meetings / discussions as our contributors should not be limited to those physically in Singapore.
I prefer meeting and talk it over coffee.
But cannot be just 2 person mah. So far it's just me and auralasia.. I'm not sure if there are other peeps who pmd him.
meeting physically is a sign of commitment and it is more focused and alot easier to talk face to face. so yes i can make it.
auralasia
Member
And then there were three...
I've had a couple of CSers who've added very insightful posts here regarding the business side of a magazine (I'm a firm believer of having the $$$ side sorted out before you worry about anything else) but both are currently overseas (coincidence?) but for now, we should probably set a location. Is someplace central good? Maybe Raffles City? Someplace where we can chat without be harassed off our seats. I'm open on this - the Japanese Marche-type place in the basement, any of the fast food places (BK, Mos Burger, etc.,) or the McCafe at Street Level. Or any other place there, there's plenty of options to choose from.
But - to avoid leaving things hanging, can I propose the Japanese Marche-type place for now, unless we agree on a better option?
auralasia
Member
First Meeting - Raffles City Basement, 8PM January 18th, Shokudo Japanese buffet outlet. Meet outside the entrance; reddotphoto can make it only by 8:15pm, so we'll go inside at 8:15pm. Do PM me if you're running late, I'm also duplicating this via email for those who have PM'ed me with their email addresses. So far, we should have the following showing up
1. auralasia
2. loposto
3. pokiemon
4. phazed
5. reddotphoto
See you all this evening
1. auralasia
2. loposto
3. pokiemon
4. phazed
5. reddotphoto
See you all this evening
correct me if i'm wrong, but all(?) of the English lang photo mags out there are ang moh ones, either from europe/US. This is based on my experience in libraries and Borders. The only local mag I've seen is Photovideo which was quite entertaining I thought, but it died out already. I believe a photo mag targeted at Asian market may be good as there are differences in the products available here and perhaps there may be differences in techniques etc too? :think:
Of course all these are just my thoughts and not backed up with any stats so feel free to correct me if my assumptions are wrong.
Take a look at the Chinese and Japanese photomags.
There are some which focus on actually talking about photography beyond instructional guides and reviews.
Also I think we should stop being so practical and businesslike about it.
If you really want to create compelling content then the first focus should be on content content content.
It's a good idea to focus on regional photographers too. I've been approached by magazines overseas before and they pay me abit of cash to feature my work, the great thing is tha tthey actually took the effort to scour around to find photographers and featuring them.
I recommend avoiding the equipment reviewing direction. If I wanted equipment reviews I'll check the internet.
I recommend taking a look at Singapore Architect magazine also to see how they've managed to make compelling content that is interesting even to non-architects.
I pay $12-$15 for each issue, happily.
I won't even pay $3 for a magazine like Men's health.
it's all about engaging content.
I pay $12-$15 for each issue, happily.
I won't even pay $3 for a magazine like Men's health.
it's all about engaging content.
here's a recommendation on a way a magazine can enhance the online experience, without having to generate a lot of content.
Instead of a magazine, think of a newsletter. Show photos of the events that are organised in Clubsnap like photoshoots, show some behind the scenes, have some interviews with members.
Very club-like.
Show some of the models, show some nice locations and setups. It's almost like a giant gossip session sort of magazine.
You have a call for subscriptions for the members in Clubsnap. See if people are willing to pay $3 per issue for 6 issues in a year. Then you mail them the physical newsletter.
Gradually there's the possibility of developing more content alon the way as a sustainable flow of income comes in.
I personally would pay some money to get a Clubsnap newsletter putting a face to alot of the names here in Clubsnap.
Instead of a magazine, think of a newsletter. Show photos of the events that are organised in Clubsnap like photoshoots, show some behind the scenes, have some interviews with members.
Very club-like.
Show some of the models, show some nice locations and setups. It's almost like a giant gossip session sort of magazine.
You have a call for subscriptions for the members in Clubsnap. See if people are willing to pay $3 per issue for 6 issues in a year. Then you mail them the physical newsletter.
Gradually there's the possibility of developing more content alon the way as a sustainable flow of income comes in.
I personally would pay some money to get a Clubsnap newsletter putting a face to alot of the names here in Clubsnap.
Arguably you have the right idea, but that's doomed to failure in Singapore. Just look at ClubSNAP, it is so massively gear dominated that a magazine without gear idolisation would be doomed to sit on the stands.
it depends on what your definition of failure is though
a lot of magazines were started as side-centures not really concerned with turning a buck.
in fact Singapore Architect magazine doesn't even have much of a fulltime staff..the archi editor does it on the side
the internet is good proof that content is king first, and then you find a way to monetize it along the way.
Many of the big blogs/websites started out without worrying about advertisers but they pulled together funding along the way because they built up an audience.
Anyway like I recommend perhaps the trick is not to try to create a MAGAZINE first but a newsletter. Keep the expectations low, play to the strengths we have which is a LARGE community of people and build up from there gradually.
I just printed a 40 page 260gsm double sided gloss laminate A5 sized booklet for $3500 for 2000 copies.
That's less than 2 dollars for a 4 colour heavy duty booklet.
if your'e doing a mag you're looking at 80gsm paper.
It's cheaper than you think if you know how to deal with it. Selective laying out to minimize use of 4C helps alot.
i like how you are very interested and passionate about convincing people to make the move!
acutally i would really want to see some kind of publication that does photography content, not gear reviews..
Like one of the China mag, Chinese Photography, focuses quite abit on content, they have gear review as well, but it only a small part.. which makes it quite an attractive package.
acutally i would really want to see some kind of publication that does photography content, not gear reviews..
Like one of the China mag, Chinese Photography, focuses quite abit on content, they have gear review as well, but it only a small part.. which makes it quite an attractive package.
LifeInMacro
Senior Member
I think if this is the case, this online forum will suffice...why bother to do more?
a zine serves the purpose of consolidating information in a compact package whereas a forum is a giant sprawling network. You have to click to get to each page.
One thing lacking here as the place has grown bigger is a sense of community & identity.
A physical zine could help to develop that sense of community by putting a face to people and consolidating current information.
This could extend to short reviews of some of the workshops/talks given by people in the past month or two, and since Clubsnap makes money from people promoting their workshops it makes sense for Clubsnap to also entice people to look into workshops.
Some advertising space could be sold to some of the advertisers here.
my hypothesis is that people seem like gearheads because that's the easiest thing to talk about, plus most media outlets focus on that.
(look at all the gadget magazines)
however based on how much money people are paying to attend workshops and talks by big photographers, I'm guessing that there is a strong market for people to educate and expose themselves to more photography, as long as they get a sense that they can LEARN.
(look at all the gadget magazines)
however based on how much money people are paying to attend workshops and talks by big photographers, I'm guessing that there is a strong market for people to educate and expose themselves to more photography, as long as they get a sense that they can LEARN.
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