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What are niche magazines?

March 4, 2011 By admin

I recall talking to friend recently, she is like myself, an ex Fashion Design Graduate, and while in conversation during one of our regular weekly mid-morning coffee meetings, she gestured my attention towards a copy of the I-D Magazine, that a customer had apparently left behind on a side table. She remarked about the front cover of this magazine, and quickly grabbed the magazine and proceeded to flip through it hastily. She appeared to enjoy reading it, which surprised me as she was definitely not the type to read any so called niche magazine.

I told her that I did not expect her to grasp a niche publication so readily, as she was, and still is a Vogue Magazine lady in my eyes, definitely forever mainstream. She appeared offended by my comment and observation. She insisted that she does, from time to time, read not so well known niche publications, with I-D Magazine being one of her particular favourites.

But I am sure some of you are not familiar with the term niche, let alone attributing the term niche magazine or niche publications to various tabloids or glossies.

Niche in dictionary terms means:A special area of demand for a product or service. It is sometimes referred to as the USP  or Unique Selling Point. In regards to niche publications or niche magazines, it basically describes a magazine that is specific in its target area. Examples of niche magazines or niche publications are Wired, NME, NOW Magazine and Creative Knitting.

Once upon a time when niche magazines & publications was in its infancy, it was widely believed that these types of magazines would prove no threat to the mainstream media magazines, and would only appeal to a smaller cross section of readership worldwide, because of its specific criteria or target, however, times have certainly changed… Many niche magazines and niche publications are proving a worthy opponent to the mainstream magazines in the fight for magazine reader supremacy.

Many niche magazines & publications have attracted a new band of readers and have many times siphoned off subscribers from mainstream magazines.

The rise in niche magazines have also threatened the existence of many older established mainstream media magazines especially those that are traditional press tabloids or glossy magazines. Many mainstream magazines have been forced to ‘move with the times’ and embrace some of the diversity the niche publications were expressing. Many mainstream magazines now have a strong online presence, especially as the number of magazines going to press have dwindled, in favour of electronic publications, originally set off by niche magazines. [Read more...]

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The rise of niche magazines compared to mainstream magazines.

February 23, 2011 By admin

The technological age has brought to us many new and wonderful ways in which we can confer with one another, sharing our thoughts and ideas, and possibly dispelling the notion that we individually harbour thoughts and ideas that no other human shares.

Technology has successfully bridged the gap between communication from one country to another, making conversations more sociable by initiating the participation of a wider group or audience all at the same time.

Through the emergence of blogging and the rise in blog sites, it has fuelled the rise in magazines and periodicals aimed at particular areas of interest, hobbies and pastimes.

Identifying whether or not a magazine fits into the category of niche or mainstream is very easy to identify. If the subject matter or topic covers areas that are commonly known or widely accepted as the norm by the general public, or if the subject matter is ‘tried and tested’ a million times over, then it is more likely belonging to the mainstream  magazine group, with the lions share of subscribers.  However, if the magazine covers topics or areas not widely accepted as the norm, and is unique in its approach, avant-garde or ground-breaking in it’s communication techniques, with a faithful, regular, smaller band of readers or subscribers, then this tends to fit in with what we call a niche magazine.

Changing times brings with it changing attitudes and practices. Now more than ever, we see people wanting to embrace their uniqueness, and willing to nurture and express their individuality.  An increase in hobby pastimes, or individuals turning hobbies into professional business ventures is on the increase. [Read more...]

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Niche Magazines

January 31, 2011 By admin

Niche magazines are dedicated magazines that generate interest or provide more information about a particular product or service for a specific readership. Niche publications are perfect to make a certain thing interesting and articles for niche magazines requires research and writing skills. Unlike other broad publications, niche magazines have a special topic and discussions and articles are mainly focused on the topic and all other aspects that are related to it. Pre-qualified targets are interest groups who find support and help in niche publications. Niche magazines must be content-rich to make highly valuable resources to its target readers.

There are niche publications that may not be in a magazine format such as websites. Others are just couple of pages. Niche magazines are packaged replete with photos and articles that covers specific topics. Examples of niche magazines are fishing which are focused on different aspects of fishing but may not necessarily everything such as tackles, fishing destinations and how-to catch trouts. Other fishing niche magazines may publish articles and reviews on the fishing sport and still others may feature the professional anglers. Many niche magazines though no matter how specific they are may publish a variety of interrelated topics.

What makes a niche magazine interesting depends also on the interest of the reader. Niche magazines demand writers to be skilled in research as well and the writing skills must be excellent to attract readers. Alongside, photos are very important to add zest to the topic. The creativity of the writer in organizing an article or feature a story is essential to a niche magazine. Presentation of facts, reviews, stories and other articles is an added value to any type of publication. But unlike broad sheets or reportage, articles in a niche magazine should be able to generate or perk up the interest of the reader. [Read more...]

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The Rise Of Niche Magazines

January 19, 2011 By admin

Niche magazines have different target readers because of the specialised theme or topic that they cover. Unlike mainstream magazines, niche magazines are not as large and varied. Readers of niche magazines have a special slant on a particular subject and the information or features are more specific catering to a specific readership. Whilst the Internet is a goldmine of information, magazines continue to proliferate in the print media industry. The corporate world also continues to launch advertisements most often in mainstream magazines. Business is still alive, in the print media. Magazines are surviving and thriving because people couldn’t resist reading up to this age of digital technology. 

Specialisation of niche magazines made this medium of communication thrive in the print media competition. Niche magazines maybe smaller in terms of issues covered but that is precisely because they are targeting a specific readership. A reader whose information needs are met without flipping through all the pages of the magazine. Niche magazines have a peculiar type of writing style and lay-outing design that make reading more convenient and comprehensive. The rise of niche magazines in the print landscape can be attributed to its peculiarity, catering to a specific readership.

Admittedly, there is a decline in the sales of published magazines, and circulation also fell, attributed to the economic crisis. Consumers and the reading public have realigned and prioritised budgets and spending. However, the print media industry believe that the setback is temporary and will soon rebound. Given the new technology, readers expect magazines to be more exciting and informative. Hence, print media industry remains positive about recouping its lost glory. [Read more...]

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