Magazine...

VonYinzer

VonYinzer

Over 10,000 Posts
Anyone have any insight into the process for starting a magazine? I know some of the steps, but could use so guidance. After hearing all the negative comments about Cafe Racer mag, and some unhappy personal dealings with other publications out there I think I may attempt to begin my own. It will not be a cafe specific mag. More of a vintage and custom "anything on two wheels" kinda deal. Music and gear reviews. Show/get together coverage. Pretty simple and basic stuff, but more in touch with the kind of stuff we're all up to here. Im doing my research, but if anyone has anything to add, it would be appreciated.

Also, would you guys and gals be interested in such a thing? I know a lot of you are tech heads, and follow blogs and what not. Ive always been a fan of having a good old paper rag in hand though. Hell, I have hundreds of hot/rod and chopper mags. Ill never throw em' out. Thats me though.

Let me know what you think!
 
Great idea! I don't have any advice, but I'd buy your 'zine!! ;D ;D
 
Well shit. The only thing better than advice, is your money! ha ha ha

Just kidding of course. I know some guys in the publishing industry, and its about the last place you want to be if getting rich is your mission. Im just really fed up with the holier than thou, and "this is whats cool, fuck you" attitude a lot of bike/kulture/hot rod mags have. Id like to see something a little more user friendly.
I know there are mags out there, like Dice, but they are all pretty much chopper only, or cafe only kind of deals. Than theres the vintage bike mags who kinda, sorta dip there toe into the cafe world, but shun pretty much any other style of custom. Thats cool, to each there own, but in my world, the vintage restos' the cafes,the trackers, and the choppers all drink at the same bar. I ride with guys with all different kinds of bikes. Hell, I have a hardtail chop in the works, as well as a cafe, a race bike, and a resto... I love em' all and know others do as well.

Throw in a hefty dose of killer music, cool gear, and a couple decent lookin broads and I think we would have a winner...

If this does work out, Ill be searching for photogs, people willing to write about whats happening in the corners of the world I cant get to, and builders to profile. If anyones interested in pitching in, shoot me a PM. Id love to hear any and all ideas. Just dont be pissed if I dont use em! They cant all be home runs, tiger. ;)
 
The only bike mag I buy is "The Horse" and even that's on occasion when half the mags not HD...

I would love to see fabrication tips like methods of jigging frames, ways to set up tooling for special operations and tech like designing suspension, frames, etc

You need some tasty pin ups too!
 
There will most certainly be a MASSIVE amount of how to, as well as tips and tricks. You can quote me on than.
 
so, Thrasher magazine from the 90s but about motorcycles? I used to work at a magazine, but it was a lame one. I did the design of it cover to cover for two years and watched as each month rolled by the stress on the people who ran the show. It's definitely not the business to get into to make money, and at this point in time it's just not a business you would likely get a loan for from a bank considering how many pubs have folded due to the rise of the web based magazine. A 'zine is likely the best option, or maybe a pdf mag for download as you won't have a huge overhead like in print. Basically it would work out the same as in-print counts vs. downloads in order to be able to sell your mag to vendors for advertising dollars.
 
Thanks Pawn. I have been leaning more towards an online 'zine. In a perfect world I would much prefer a real, good old fashioned magazine, but as you stated, the cost is really prohibative. And yes, sort of like the old Thrasher, but about bikes. Ive talked to some other members about being a part of it and they all seem to be on board. There is a chopper rag out there called Cycle Source. Not sure how many of you have seen it, but its based here in the Pittsburgh area. The guy who founded and runs it is a really cool fella. Anyhow, some of you from this region may remember when it was a free, newsletter type publication. At first I debated somethin along those lines. Unfortunatly though, it really difficult to give the bikes a real place to shine in a product like that. Looks like an online setup is the way to go. At least for now.
 
I would certainly contribute anything you need. I loved old thrasher when it was mostly black and white and printed on news print. It was pretty much a DIY paper then and in the mid 80's you could only get it via subscription. We passed those things around like crazy back then. Anyway, I think a rag (or web rag) that had a lot of tech info and less "culture" would be great. Trust me I dig a lot of the culture but it's already overdone in other publications. Also, I like the idea of keeping it not just about Cafe bikes but all modern day specials. Hey, that might be a cool name "Modern day Specials". Keeping it real with articles written by the folks that are out there doing it and not just a journalist that happens to be a fan of cafe bikes and the like I think would make for a cool publication. Of course being done like that the most important staffer would be a damn good proof reader to fix all our bad grammar and spelling ;)
 
remember the trick tips sections? Your tech info could be broken down the same way and you could have three sections of tech, beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
 
What an awsome idea,

I just recently found this online publishing site. Seems alright, havn't really tried it though.
http://issuu.com/
its a PDF web viewer thats pretty cool, much better than Adobe acrobat. Really don't like that program, so slow.


I'd totally be interested in adding a music section. Writing about small underground and unknown bands. Unsigned but totally killer.
I've been doing a similar blog www.InternalCanvas.com ... more solo artists but similar idea.



Can't wait to see how this goes.
 
This is a great idea Von. I'd be all over this! And you know, many many people here would be willing to help.
 
Ok... So here knows how one goes about creating an e'zine? Ive found some information and think that its the best way to go, as a starting point. Perhaps do a yearly photo book in print, as a special edition?

I know I seem like a bit of a dumbass about all of this, and honestly thats because I am.
Heres what I do know... I will wholehartedly give 100% to making this everything Ive stated previously. There are a lot of us out there who dont really care for a good bit of the representation we get in the media. Like I said, I have no interest in a cafe only, or chopper only publication. I love all of the old rides out there and truly believe that they all deserve equal spotlight. I want to actually showcase the bikes and people who make this passion worthwile for US, not the big publishing company or multi million dollar advertisers. Will it work? Maybe. But Im willing to give it my all. I just need some help to get her running.

Thanks so far to all of you for offering your assistance. I promise that if I can get the ball rolling I will keep it as real as I can. Ill show the real backyard builders. Not like some other mags out there who claim to, but generally show more high end stuff, or friends of the staffs rides. Ill show the bands that we actually want to see and hear. The gear we would actually wear. This is why its imperative that I keep the cost as low as humanly possible. I dont want angry emails from douchbag advertisers because Im not playing their BS games.

So, cross your fingers ladies and gents. This could be really cool for all of us.
 
I actually read a ton of weird independent magazines. Some from the UK and some from other placed like Italy. I'm going to give you a really lame corporate answer, but I think this could help.

The first step is to create a brand. If it is authentic and good, people will be interested. If you look at the good independents like Men's File, they have a really strong brand foundation. If your brand is strong enough, all an art director needs to do is execute his/her vision against your brand.

The next step is to develop good content and an editorial calendar. This will help agencies and independent writers the opportunity to contribute good, authentic content.

Then put the thing together. I'd offer really strong brands the opportunity to advertise in the publication for free so you can ride their brand equity.

Printing is really pretty easy and inexpensive. Just find a local printer. You should probably just give the first print run away for free to get the name out there.

Me personally, I'd a quarterly but with a ton of pages and print it out on thick, glossy paper. Americans are very visual people, so a good art director is critical. The person doesn't need to come from the publication industry; I'd look at industrial designers, graphic artists, designers, architects, fashion designers...well, you see the pattern.

--Thanks, Chris
 
Oh, and eff the e-zine. You'd be better off starting a high quality blog and selling adverts on it.

--Chris
 
Not to be negative, but starting a real magazine now is the worst thing you could do..As many people see it, print is dead.

+34834897348791 for a zine (NOT online). Like an old bmx/skate zine. Put it together using pictures, write ups, anything.. copy it all on color copy paper, and start sending em out! Charge maybe a $1 to cover your postage..

To me, thats way cooler and more realistic than a full on $$$ mag

as_skate_kobrah_275.jpg


jnkfd_bmx_zine09.jpg
 
Thats relativly colse to what Im shooting for Shaun. Just in a little bit nicer final package. I would have to charge a bit more than a buck, (though not much) just to cover printing costs. At least until we could get some advertisers on board. I have a few lined up actually.
 
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