Careers Conference 2007 – Magazine Publishing Workshop

Posted on January 21, 2008 in Uncategorized

Leander Reeves began an interesting and entertaining magazine publishing workshop by telling delegates that success in the magazine business was very much dependant on the type of personality each individual possesses. 

With a decade’s experience working in the magazine publishing industry and now lecturer in the subject at Oxford Brookes University, Reeves expertise was evident as she gave those in attendance a rundown of magazine publishing today. 

The industry was in good health, she said, highlighting the fact that the majority of British adults still buy a magazine on a regular basis, especially women and those in key demographic areas. These magazines are read on average by 4 people and for 54 minutes each. 

As such, magazines perform several functions for their readers; offering a shared society, sense of belonging whilst also representing a form of tension release. 

To flourish in this industry, Leander told delegates that certain basic skills are required including planning, writing, production, design and the ability to market and promote. 

Therefore, for anyone wishing to enter magazine planning she urged them to see their career like a game of chess, viewing each position or development experience as a move towards a desired goal. 

The best preparation, Reeves suggested, is to develop a personal website and utilise this to build experience as when it comes to looking for employment, magazines look not just for qualifications but proof of what an individual can actually do. 

This is the reason, she insists, that gaining skills in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, QuarkXpress and Dreamweaver are essential for anyone entering the world of magazine publishing so they can cope with the broad spectrum of work this involves. 

Overall, Leander Reeves presented a highly entertaining and informative workshop that provided many valuable insights into magazine publishing whilst giving delegates a clear idea of the requirements for entry into this industry.

By Tommy Douglas