PrintIf you want to start your own magazine, you'll first need to do quite a bit of research. Here's how to go about it.
For starters, if you live in or near a city that has a business branch for the county or city library, we recommend you start there. Even if there isn't a business branch near you, the main library reference librarians know a great deal about where to find information, and libraries also have internal computer systems to help you locate resources.
Start by finding back issues of magazines like Entrepreneur which have case studies about individuals launching businesses in specific industries, including publishing.
Informational interviews are also a valuable resource. Here, you would identify some magazines, not in the same industry as yours, that are published in your area. Then, identify the director or vice president of advertising, the director or vice president of circulation, the managing editor, and the editor, for example. Call them up, offer to take them to lunch, and tell them your dreams. Most people are more than willing to help someone get started — and to talk about themselves and their jobs — provided you aren't in direct competition with their business.
You also need to start subscribing to trade magazines that service your industry. The librarian can get you a list.
