front covers of IPC mags

[Iain C]

It's very simple. There's 3 or 4 mags on the shelf. I scan the covers to see what's in the issues. If there's something interesting, I'll pick it up that mag, have a flick through, and buy it.

It's not a book cover, it's an advert. It's a 15 second sales pitch as to why you should buy the mag...that's all.

 

[snooks]

It's not a book cover, it's an advert. It's a 15 second sales pitch as to why you should buy the mag...that's all.

Nail. Head.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

It's very simple. There's 3 or 4 mags on the shelf. I scan the covers to see what's in the issues. If there's something interesting, I'll pick it up that mag, have a flick through, and buy it.

It's not a book cover, it's an advert. It's a 15 second sales pitch as to why you should buy the mag...that's all.

I do not need the dumbing down list of articles. If I want to know what is in the magazine I am quite capable of reading the contents page! The nice picture of the boat is enough of a sales pitch for me.

 

[Lakesailor]

It's very simple. There's 3 or 4 mags on the shelf. I scan the covers to see what's in the issues. If there's something interesting, I'll pick it up that mag, have a flick through, and buy it.

It's not a book cover, it's an advert. It's a 15 second sales pitch as to why you should buy the mag...that's all.

I seem to remember saying this early on in the thread.

Is Small Craft Advisor subscription only or subscription led?
No need for coverlines, but to compete on the shelves in the newsagent you need to appeal to the maximum number of potential buyers. Some of who may not like Centaurs.

This feels like a Full Lakesailoring again.

 

[snooks]

The nice picture of the boat is enough of a sales pitch for me.

You are not the only buyer so the mags have to hawk their wares in the only way they can in a competitive arena.

 

[Seajet]

I do think Dylan has a point, the popular sailing magazines all have the same approach and look; hence why I personally think Nigel Merciers' idea of 'picture panels' illustrating the contents is a good one.

I do take your point that only the top left corner will be visible, but we have to assume a little intelligence from the prospective buyer, or it would be like the story of the chap on the boat who was chuffed to find 'Sex Simplified', only to find the fiddle rail had obscured the 'tant' after sex !

 

[johnalison]

It's like the peacock's tail isn't it? Once upon a time magazine covers were mostly B&W with a bit of colour, then they became all-colour, then a bit glossier, and now they are all screaming at us visually just to stand still. Natural Selection in action.

 

[jellylegs]

You need to take a broader view. Look at all the top mags - Vogue, OK, Wallpaper, Top Gear, etc. They all do it the same - its simple advertising.

 

[Joker]

Sailing Today always have one big boat pic on their cover.

 

[wotayottie]

Surely we have the obvious front cover designer amongst us. Give the job to lakey -some of his covers would definitely increase circulation . Whether it would be in the demographic the advertisers want is a different matter.

 

[Seajet]

Surely we have the obvious front cover designer amongst us. Give the job to lakey -some of his covers would definitely increase circulation . Whether it would be in the demographic the advertisers want is a different matter.

And according to Tranona I wouldn't be able to reach it on the top shelf !