Website VS Print Magazine?

[prankster101]

hello,

as some of you may know, i did one issue about a year ago for what i hoped would be a recurring feature on the publishing landscape (a free games magazine in case you are wondering).

having realised that advertising revenue is the lifeblood of the publishing industry, and considering that the magazine isn't happening (at present), which would you say is the best option (longterm):

a) build an audience from scratch online and then (maybe) carve out a magazine once you have gained an audience - like rockpapershotgun?

b) try to get a magazine out there (but on a less frequent basis)?

i am now no longer a believer of offering a free magazine - no-one ever appreciates what they get for free. instead, and if i were to do a print magazine, i would attach a cover price to it.

so i really have two options for now: continue with a website for the forseeable future (and make it more like rockpapershotgun where it picks up readers gradually and becomes financially viable in say 200 years), or still try to carve out a niche with a print based magazine?

there is a certain beauty to be gleaned from having a print based magazine as the product has a reified identity. websites are too numerous, and it's hard to stand out from the pack.

what would you say?

[leeray666]

I'd say print is dead.

As nice as it can be, as nice as it can smell, and even though you can get some really nice effects, I think it's far too costly. It's a tough market out there—and online for that matter—just concentrate on doing stuff that you beleive is quality and eventually (if it's good enough) you will gain a following.
Be a true artist. It's not the recognition, the respect or the reward that motivates, it is only the will to express oneself.

Good luck. Maybe we'll meet again.

[Shaolin_monkey]

I'd say print is dead.

Who are you? Egon ferkin Spengler?

[leeray666]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3v_ogRaTf4

I actually love print. I did a lot of print based stuff at uni. Everything about it in-fact. Which is why, once I've moved place (again) I'm going to build a homemade printing press.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a ... nt-Things/

[slinger]

I'd say print is dead.

I sure hope not or I'll be out of a job

[Sherak]

I like to read magazines on the toilet however since I got an iPad I'm finding that I'm reading less of my GTM every month, once they get the magazine app sorted I will switch my suscription...

[leeray666]

I'd say print is dead.

I sure hope not or I'll be out of a job

I meant for fledgling, startup, independent magazines. Of course print is still viable for larger companies.