The Business of Magazine Publishing course teaches publishers how to assess the present status of their magazines, identify problem areas, and apply principles to solve the problems. Those who wish to start a magazine will learn how to lay the foundation for a successful magazine startup.
Since 1999, hundreds of Christian magazine publishers from dozens of countries have taken this course live in conferences in Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Hong Kong, Korea, and the U.S.
The DVD course
This course will be available soon as an eight-DVD course on Managing the Magazine With Confidence and Skill (The Business of Magazine Publishing). Recorded in Los Angeles in 2007 before a multi-cultural audience, it is taught by Kent Wilson, then publisher of NavPress, and Tim Gilmour, executive vice-president of Group Publishing, Inc. Both have taught the course internationally and have a good grasp of the challenges faced by Christian magazine publishers outside the United States.
The course is enriched by interaction between participants at the course in Los Angeles and the trainers as participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America ask questions and make comments.
The course is enriched by interaction between participants at the course in Los Angeles and the trainers as participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America ask questions and make comments.
How to take the course
The 15-hour course may be offered in the context of a regional or local conference. Or, it may be viewed by individuals or staff members of an individual publishing enterprise. It may be viewed over the course of several days; or individual sessions may be viewed on a weekly or monthly basis. A 85-page participant manual is available for use in conjunction with the course.
The course is meant to be participatory. That means there are opportunities for both individual work and group interaction as participants complete in-class assignments. Although it is possible for those viewing the DVD to skip the assignments, the trainers have found they help participants make application to principles under discussion.
The DVD course is a self-study course and it is not necessary to complete and send assignments to trainers. Any organization which wishes to organize a formal course may offer certificates of completion in their own name to those who complete the course. MTI will not offer official certificates of completion for the DVD course.
The course is meant to be participatory. That means there are opportunities for both individual work and group interaction as participants complete in-class assignments. Although it is possible for those viewing the DVD to skip the assignments, the trainers have found they help participants make application to principles under discussion.
The DVD course is a self-study course and it is not necessary to complete and send assignments to trainers. Any organization which wishes to organize a formal course may offer certificates of completion in their own name to those who complete the course. MTI will not offer official certificates of completion for the DVD course.
Course languages
The course is taught in English and is offered with subtitles in Russian, Chinese, and Spanish. Participant manuals are available in English, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Romanian, Bulgarian, and Korean.
Topics
A biblical basis for work as a publisher
How to develop a specific, focused mission statement.
How to develop a specific, focused mission statement.
The business plan
How to develop a business plan for the magazine with consideration of all the elements that impact business strategy.
How to develop a business plan for the magazine with consideration of all the elements that impact business strategy.
How to start a magazine
A thorough investigation of all the areas that must be considered.
A thorough investigation of all the areas that must be considered.
How to build circulation
An examination of cost-effective methods of increasing the circulation of a magazine.
An examination of cost-effective methods of increasing the circulation of a magazine.
Magazine advertising
How to get and keep advertisers; how much to charge; how to help advertisers use your magazine effectively.
How to get and keep advertisers; how much to charge; how to help advertisers use your magazine effectively.
Understanding production fundamentals
How the size, frequency, and design of a magazine affect costs and perceived value. How to get the best possible price for printing.
How the size, frequency, and design of a magazine affect costs and perceived value. How to get the best possible price for printing.
The budget
How to make a budget and use it as a powerful tool for planning and control.
How to make a budget and use it as a powerful tool for planning and control.
Subscription fulfillment
How to handle magazine orders efficiently. This includes discussion of subscription fulfillment systems and the elements of a good system.
How to handle magazine orders efficiently. This includes discussion of subscription fulfillment systems and the elements of a good system.
Research
How to use research to strengthen and focus marketing and editorial efforts.
How to use research to strengthen and focus marketing and editorial efforts.
Ministry-related tools
Developing ministry-related tools in order to expand the magazine's outreach and strengthen its financial viability.
Developing ministry-related tools in order to expand the magazine's outreach and strengthen its financial viability.
Training manual
An 85-page manual outlining the course and including valuable samples, charts, and other resources is available. The manual, titled Managing the Magazine with Confidence and Skill, includes teaching suggestions, exercises, and other resources which may be used as a basis for training staff members and consulting with other publishers. The manual is available in English, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Romania, Bulgarian, and Korean.
Availability and cost
Work is underway now on the DVD course and we expect it will be available for purchase by 2008. If you are interested in receiving information when the course is available, contact MTI. The price will be announced after completion of the project.
