Does anyone work in the magazine business?

[EOGORMAN]

Hi I am Emily Longs and I’m going to I’m trying to start up a magazine business for homeless people. Any suggestions on getting them motivated? 

They have a lot of work to do and I can’t figure out if they understand that! 

And any critical tactics anyone has for tackling this? From the readers perspectives? As far as what they’d want to see in the content? 

[HC_Charlie]

Hello @EOGORMAN thanks for your post. Are you looking to start a magazine with the subject matter covering homeless or unhoused people? or have unhoused people work on the publication/distribution/sales of magazines with other subjects? The answer dictates how you may approach this business venture...

If you're looking to establish and write a new magazine with housing issues as a subject matter, some research could involve general publishing and printing systems. Most magazines plan an editorial calendar with subject matter scheduled months in advance, and writers can be assigned to these articles. You'll have to work with commercial printers to print your digital files for final distribution. You can also research publishing and design programs like Adobe Creative Suite to prepare the digital files for printing.

If you're looking to just sell magazine from other publishers,  you can research how to structure and motivate a sales team. Knowing a bit more about your overall plan could help solicit more specific advise from the Square Community. Good luck to you and your new business! And welcome to the Square Community!

[EOGORMAN]

@HC_Charlie 

Hi this is Emily! Thank you so much for the reply! 

To answer your question, i started a company giving jobs to homeless people with the slogan “We come to you!” Where the homeless do busy work and categorical tasks as professionals. This Ended up going worldwide. But we started a Social Media Site and now want to make magazines with the homeless people in them and basically create them. 

kind of a funny idea, but we figure it shows awareness and the collective might be a bit of work but it’s fun and flashy to be seen. Which I love for their mental health! 

So how big is the magazine is our problem!

And the printer part I was going to see if I can get it sent somewhere… a publisher… of some sort 

either way they get the proceeds! 

[HC_Charlie]

What a great mission @EOGORMAN thank you for taking this on and making a difference in the community...it sounds like you already have a wide reach and some exposure to your projects. I think with any works with unhoused individuals, exploring potential partnerships is a win-win for everyone involved. Some outreach you may want to explore:

• Local print shops who may be willing to donate materials/time/services to print your magazine.
• Local high schools or community colleges where their English or vocational training programs may have students/advisers who know how to use computers and desktop publishing programs. There could also be art/photography/media courses and instructors willing to partner with you and your friends to help with photography and also training
• Churches and shelter groups often partner with local organizations and companies in their own efforts to help combat homelessness and challenges in helping unhoused individuals. They may already have some connections in place with regard to partnerships and training.

Keep us in the Square Community updated to your special projects. It truly is wonderful work and I'm wishing you all the best!

[EOGORMAN]

These are great suggestions and I could use these! So much appreciation!