A magazine press kit is a collection of materials that a magazine uses to promote itself to potential advertisers, subscribers, and other magazines. It typically includes a media kit, which is a collection of statistics and background information about the magazine, as well as samples of the magazine’s content.
Before you start building a magazine press kit, it’s important to ask yourself what type of advertiser your magazine is targeting. That way, you can decide which elements are going to be most important to include in your kit. Are you trying to attract small businesses or large corporations? Or do you want to target both types of businesses with different marketing tools? The key is knowing what type of advertising will work best for each target audience so that you can tailor your press kit accordingly.
A cover letter that introduces your target audience and the magazine’s circulation
Cover letters should be short and to the point. You want to give your target audience an introduction, but not a detailed explanation. A cover letter should also include the circulation of your magazine.
The letter should be written as if you are speaking directly to the editor. Make sure that you know how to address them by name. This will help your letter stand out from the others that get sent in.
Depending on your market and genre, you may want to include information about the team behind the magazine. This can be extremely helpful in business publications or when known names are attached to the magazine.
Options to include are:
- A list of your team’s members
- Their credentials (if any) and experience in the field
- Your successes as a company/department/individual
A sample copy or subscription card and tear sheet
A sample copy or subscription card is the most important part of your press kit. It’s a great way to show off your publication’s look, content and format.
Make sure that you have an example of every type of ad you accept in your magazine (print and online ads, classifieds, display ads). Include a tear sheet showing an example advertisement as well as information about circulation figures, rates for advertising and/or subscriptions. If you’re selling more than just advertising space, be sure to include a price list of services such as printing, design and layout.
A tear sheet is a page from an issue of the magazine. It shows an ad that was published, and it should include information about the advertiser. If you have a mockup of what their ad will look like in the magazine, you can also include it with your tear sheet as well.
Samples of past issues of your magazine in pdf format
A sample issue is a great way to show off your magazine’s content and style. Include a few issues in your press kit if you have them, or make available a pdf file for download on your website.
Including samples of past issues will help editors understand what kind of material to expect from the publication. These are not promotional pieces. They should be high-quality examples of editorial content that showcase your magazine’s voice and style.
If you don’t have a copy of the magazine to include, try including a few issues on your website or in an online archive. If that’s not possible, write a letter explaining what kind of material to expect from the publication. Editors will want to know if it includes features, how-to articles, interviews with people in your industry, etc.
Copy from past issues
A magazine press kit should include articles from the past that are relevant to your target audience, your advertisers and your magazine’s mission. You should also include any articles from the upcoming issue as well as information about how you plan to distribute it. In addition, it’s a good idea to include any other marketing materials you have available, such as ads or brochures.
Your editorial calendar for the next year
Your editorial calendar for the next year will include all of your upcoming content and events. It should be at least a year long, but longer is better if you can afford it. Also include any recurring columns or features that you want to publish regularly during the year.
Your rate card with information about pricing for print and online ads, classifieds, etc
Your rate card should include information about how much it costs to advertise in your magazine, on your website and in social media. It’s worth noting that most publications will charge less for online ads than they do for print, but the prices are still negotiable.
If you want to create a custom rate card for an advertiser or agency, there are several things to consider:
- Include plenty of details about how many impressions each ad will get
- Show how much revenue each ad will generate for you overall
- Explain why readers should pay attention to this particular offer
- Explain how well-known your magazine is and how many readers it has
Magazine press kits need to be customized to include exactly what each potential advertiser is looking for.
The most important thing to remember when creating your press kit is that it needs to be customized to meet the needs of each potential advertiser. Include a cover letter that introduces your target audience and the magazine’s circulation. Also include a list of event planning services, activities and causes that your team has worked with in the past. A press kit should not only showcase a company’s services but also highlight their achievements as well.
A press kit is a great tool for any magazine publisher or editor to have on hand.