Reader Profile/Mood Board

For my music magazine task I intend to create a magazine aimed at both males and females. As a feel there is a gap in the market for music  magazines aimed at both genders. As the majority after doing my research I found are aimed at males for example NME. Therefore I feel this would be the unique selling point of my product. My target audience would vary between the ages of 16-24 years.

After carrying out my research I have found what my target audience are interested in and what I need to cater for in my music magazine. I found that the audience would rather a product based on a whole variety of genres of music rather than just the one. Therefore I aim to include this aspect when creating my product so that it caters for a wide audience. 

My ideal reader is interested in a wide range of genres of music and enjoys typical teenage activities as shown in the mood board opposite. Readers are particularly interested in the well known music festivals for example V Festival and Glastonbury. I am to feature this in my product, by promoting the festivals and giving the readers priority passes to get tickets for these big music events. My branch audience are interested in new music, and particularly newcomers to the charts(like featured in NME). Therefore I have also decided to feature new-comer artists on the front page of my product as this is one of the key features of my new music magazine. I also aim to include free CD's of new music that may not have reached the charts yet, or even unsigned bands. 

Questionnaire Results

After carrying out part of my research via a questionnaire, I was able to come to some general conclusions what will help me in carrying out the task of completing my final music magazine product. I collated the results so that I could use the feedback wisely making sure I take it on board when creating my product so that it caters for my audiences needs, therefore making it successful.

One of the results I found was that over 90% of the participants that carried out the questionnaire stated that they would prefer a magazine that was not based solely on one genre of music. This was what I was planning to achieve before carrying out my research, so I was particularly happy with the result that my audience agreed with this feature. I feel this would be a unique selling point in my product, as most music magazines in the market today are based solely on one genre of music. 

Another key question I asked the participants was what other music magazines they currently read, 85% stated that they read NME and Q magazine. Therefore I have decided to do further research into these particular magazines, so that I can clarify what my audience find appealing in these particular music magazines, and then create similarities in my final product. 

When asking my audience what they find is most important as a consumer I came to some general conclusions that what they find most important is the layout/design of the magazine, as after all the front cover is what attracts them to buying the magazine. However some also stated that the general content would also have to be appealing otherwise it may stop them from buying the magazine again. Therefore I concluded that I needed to focus mainly on the front cover and what image it is portraying to the audience, making sure it is an appealing one. Whilst at the same time concentration on creating entertaining content in each issue, so that the audience continue to buy further issues. 

I was disappointed with the results I got from suggestions for a title of the product. As I did not receive very much feedback. Which lead me to come to an assumption that as most of the participants stated they read magazines like Q and NME, I should choose a title that would fit in with this style of magazine. 

Also from my feedback I found that 100% of the participants stated they would rather one single image on the front cover of the magazine rather than a selection, due to the fact they stated it is more eye-catching with one bold, strong image. Rather than a mixture of smaller images. I will take this into consideration when laying out the design of my final product.

I also found that the audience would prefer more slang type language rather than formal, as they can relate to it due to the fact they use it in every day life. Rather than a more formal approach in terms of interviews etc. I also found that the audience would prefer just music content inside the magazine, rather than including sport and news etc. The feedback received also supports the idea that the readers would like the chance to interact more with the magazine, therefore having the chance to take part in competitions/input towards the magazine - for example perhaps a website they can submit ideas on to.

To conclude my collated results from this part of my research, I found that I received a large amount of useful feedback which will help/inspire me when creating my final product. I received lots of pointers as to what appeals to my particular target audience, therefore helping me to create a successful product.

Questionnaire

1) Would you read a music magazine based solely on one particular genre of music?

The reason I chose to ask this particular question was to see if my idea of creating a magazine to cater for a variety of different music genres would be successful, or whether my target audience would prefer a set genre music magazine.

2) What ( if any ) music magazines do you read on a weekly/monthly basis?

I put this question together to see what types of music magazines my target audience find appealing, so that I can then research them and find pointers as to what to content to include and what style of layout they find appealing. 

3)What is most important to you as a consumer?

I asked this question in my audience questionnaire, so that I can put together some ideas as to what my target audience look for when buying a product that appeals to them most. This will then allow me to include appropriate content which will appeal to them as a consumer, and make my product successful. 

4) Do you have any suggestions to the title of the magazine?

I asked my components this question to allow them to have an input into creating this new music magazine product. Also to allow me to gain an idea as to what type of titles they find appealing and appropriate for this product.

5) What features attract you as a consumer to a product?

I chose this question as again it gives me an insight as to what my target audience find appealing in a product and therefore will help me to determine that I cater for the audiences needs when I am producing the final product. It will also give me a target to aim for by hopefully completing what my audience have asked for when analyzing  my final result. 

6) Would you prefer the main image featured on the front cover of the magazine to be a single, or a selection of images?

This question I felt was crucial to ask as it would determine what style of layout/design I would be using. I would then be able to come to some general conclusions from the feedback I have received and then make a final decision on the layout I should be using, in regards to what my demographic find most important in the layout of the magazine. 

7) In terms of a music magazine do you feel more 'slang' type language is more relatable for you as a reader, or a more formal approach?

This question I asked in relation as to what type of language I should address the readers with, in terms of the content inside the magazine. For example when writing interviews and reviews etc. Also in terms of the front cover of the magazine, whether slang type words of formal words would attract my target audience. 

8) What do you feel is a suitable price for a new released music magazine?

I asked this question to help me determine a price to make the magazine, so that I knew what price range my target audience would be willing to pay for the product.

9) Would you like the chance to participate in competitions, music quiz's etc. inside the magazine?

I asked this question to help me with the general content of the magazine, so that I could decide whether my audience would find the change to interact with the magazine appealing. For example use of competitions, write-ins etc. Or if they would be satisfied without these features. 

10) Would you prefer more of a variety of content in the magazine other than just music?

This question was also related to the general content of my magazine, in helping me determine what features I should include in my magazine. Whether the audience would be more satisfied with a strictly music based content inside the magazine. Or whether they would find a mixture more appealing for example including: News, Film etc.

Industry Research - Bauer Media Group

As part of my research I have decided to look in more detail at the music industry and the companies behind the music magazine genre. To allow myself to gain more of an insight of the music industry itself.

"Our business is built on influential media brands with millions of personal relationships with engaged readers and listeners. Our strategy is to connect audiences with excellent content through out broad multi-touch point branch platforms, where and whenever and however they want. Our wide portfolio of influential brands gives us advantages over pure play magazine or radio competitors."

Bauer Media is a division of the Bauer Publishing Group, Europe's largest privately owned publishing Group. The Bauer Publishing Group is a worldwide media empire offering over 230 magazines in 15 countries, as well as online, TV and radio stations. 

Bauer Media joined the Bauer Publishing Group in January 2008 following acquisition of Emap plc's consumer and specialist magazines, radio, TV, online and digital businesses. Collectively, the Bauer Publishing Group employs some 6,400 people and has a 2007 turnover of 1.79 billion Euros.Bauer Media is a multi-platform UK-based media Group consisting of many companies collected around two main divisions - Magazines and Radio - widely recognised and rewared as being industry innovators.

The company's radio business started in 1990 with the acquisition of London dance station Kiss FM, followed by the acquisition of Radio City and later by TWC and Metro Group. Then came the acquisition of Melody FM which was transformed into todays market-leading Magic FM. In 1994, the company bought a small magazine called For Him Magazine which is now the core of the best-selling international multi-platform brand FHM. In 1996, the company then acquired digital music TV channel The Box, as a route into the small screen business, which has grown into Box Television, a seven channel joint venture TV business with Channel 4. Continuing the growth of its magazine launches the company then launched Closer in 2002 and Britain's first weekly glossy, Grazia, was launched in 2005.

Today, Bauer Media spans over 80 influential brand names covering a diverse range of interests. Bauer Media is a sister company of H Bauer UK, publisher of the UK's biggest TV listings, Take a Break and Bella. With the the new addition of previous Emap Consumer Media titles, Bauer is now the largest consumer magazine publishing company in the UK. Playing a dominant role in the magazine markets for Women's weeklies, Women's lifestyle, Women's Interest, Tv Listings, Puzzles, Men's Lifestyle, Music & Film.