Paper-based magazine dedicated to microbrands - Update!
Aloha, lovely watch people. I posted recently (ok, it's been 4+ months) about launching a paper-based magazine dedicated to microbrands. It's called Independent and it's nearing launch.
The premise of Independent is to uncover and share the stories behind those making (and collecting) independent/microbrand watches that don't get the same media coverage as the more prominent watch brands and publish those stories in a more traditional magazine format. Each issue will focus entirely on one brand, and avoid reviews in favor of more in-depth articles on people, places, technologies, struggles, successes, etc. No money, products, or advertisements will be accepted from the brands. I hope to fund this totally with paid subscriptions...eventually.
Here is a quick update on the entire project.
Life gets in the way and side projects like this get deprioritized. Sorry!
Issue #000 (yes, zero) is just about ready. This is the proof of concept. It's mainly to get feedback and generate interest from other microbrands.
Many of you amazing people requested a digital version, so that's going to be a definite option.
This beta issue will be digital only. Ironic, I know. But Blurb wants $15.80 to print each paper magazine and adds $15.99 shipping. A $30-plus price seems ludicrous for what's essentially a draft version.
To prove the concept, this beta issue will be priced at $1.49 -- a low, low price just to see if some are willing to contribute to support this project.
Don't feel like paying? Calm down. I'll eventually release this as a free download. But only this one time! Going forward, I'm shooting for $25 for paper copies (plus shipping) and $10 for digital. Sound reasonable?
I reached out to about a dozen microbrands and connected with a few. They were positive about the concept but wanted to see a sample before they committed time for interviews, which I understand.
So, sample it was. I considered focusing the draft on a defunct brand like Elgin or Bathys but then connected with a European microbrand you're all surely familiar with. They offered photos and there was enough information on the web to research and develop original content.
Stay tuned for the launch in a few weeks. As always, let me know if you have any comments, suggestions, or questions. Mahalo! 😀
Into Bremont, Tudor, Vertex, Christopher Ward, and most other watches, sadly. Have way too many divers.
I love the concept. Smart play testing the waters with a digital release first. The prices seem reasonable, though some people might be used to the free newsletters from major brands. Looking forward to your launch!
Bonus wrist shot!
I love the concept. Smart play testing the waters with a digital release first. The prices seem reasonable, though some people might be used to the free newsletters from major brands. Looking forward to your launch!
Bonus wrist shot!
Brah!
Brah!
Happy Malasada Day!
My only comment would be sustainability. The independents and microbrands may not have the budgets to keep spending on advertising. Also mags that are established like Oracle are lower in cost
Love this idea. I have been more and more exclusively drawn to Microbrands recently and would love a way to read up on them. Also just commenting for the algorithm to get this more attention! Great stuff👍
My only comment would be sustainability. The independents and microbrands may not have the budgets to keep spending on advertising. Also mags that are established like Oracle are lower in cost
@Markell - there wouldn't be any cost to the brands, just their time for some video calls/interviews. And, trying to play between those mainstream mags and something premium like the Hodinkee magazine, which sells for $38. Trying to come in well below that.
So revenue comes from adverts or just the selling costs?
So revenue comes from adverts or just the selling costs?
Revenue would be just from selling the magazine - no ads at all. Kinda just doing this as a side project for fun. Price of the magazine would be the cost to print and ship for paper, or just hosting/online publication and transaction fees. like some services charge 50 cents for every digital copy sold, plus a monthly fee of $10-50 just to offer them. I don't really want to make a profit, just cover the costs.
Revenue would be just from selling the magazine - no ads at all. Kinda just doing this as a side project for fun. Price of the magazine would be the cost to print and ship for paper, or just hosting/online publication and transaction fees. like some services charge 50 cents for every digital copy sold, plus a monthly fee of $10-50 just to offer them. I don't really want to make a profit, just cover the costs.
Sounds very interesting, I hope you well with it ✊
Love the idea but in a world of so much info being available for free, no way I am paying for a digital magazine, much less a paper copy.
There is a reason that magazines and newspapers are mostly things of the past.
good luck, I would certainly buy a subscription