My Music Magazine Research Findings So Far...

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Above is a PowerPoint presentation that I have done which consists of the research that I have done about my media product.

Front cover of the magazine:

For my front cover; I have decided to recreate one of VIBE’s front cover poses as I believe it links in with my genre and I really like the pose. I originally wanted my model to hold a camera just like the model on the VIBE magazine but I have changed my mind and would like my model to hold a microphone. I feel this will better represent the genre of the my magazine, I would also benefit from this decision as I would not fully copy the image from the vibe magazine. I also looked at a NME magazine and found the colour scheme of the magazine interesting. I have decided to use a model with red hair for my magazine front cover to have the simplicity as most music magazines of Hip Hop/ RnB genre today have a simple colour scheme. I decided to use a head and shoulder shot for the front cover as I think the face impressions and actions of the model would attract the consumers quicker.

Contents page:

After deconstructing a NME contents page I do not feel that sort of contents page best matches the style of my magazine. I do not want a descriptive contents page. I started searching other music magazine contents pages and found one (Below). I feel this is a good setup which matches the sort of setup I was looking for. At the bottom of each of the pictures I would like a small quote or description to match the picture which was also one of the targets I was given for my preliminary task. My contents page would consist a variety of shots for the pictures.

Double page spread:

I would like my double page spread to have a set of questions and answers. I have decided to also have a short fire question spot (which is not on my flat plan) which will consist of short answers to attract the majority of the consumers who like to read short questions. I have decided to have a long shot for the double page spread as I would like the model to be sitting down. I would also like a side long shot to match my front cover as I would want the model to be holding the microphone to seem like the model is singing.

I also would like my model to wear jeans, trainers and a plain top as I believe these are the main conventions of a Hip-Hop/RnB fashion style. I think this will definitely attract the readers as it will appeal to their style.  

Questionnaire Analysis

For my market research I did a questionnaire to find out my consumers ideas and how I can cater for their preferences with my magazine.

My first question was “which age group do you fall under?” ten out of the ten respondents’ ticked the 16-20 age groups which was a good response for me as I wanted my magazine to cater for that age group. The reason behind this is that I believe I would be better at this age group then any other as age group as I feel I know a lot more about the age group and the sort of genre they listen to. So I believe I can apply my own knowledge to this to make it as best as possible to cater for them.

The second question was “which genre of magazines do you read?”, firstly I think the way I have worded this is confusing for the respondents; I should have worded the question like this “which music genre magazines do you read?” for it be clear and direct. The majority of the respondents picked “Hip Hop/RnB”. I want to base my magazine around that genre as I feel comfortable around that genre and feel I know a lot more regarding that genre compared to other genres. while doing this questionnaire I decided to state Hip HOP and RnB together as I think they are both similar genre’s and i wanted the respondents to consider these two genres as one.

The third question I asked was “how often do you read magazines?” the majority of the respondents varied between “once in a month” or “never” these answers could be linked to the income of the students as music magazines are expensive and the majority of the students are jobless. It could also be linked to “attraction” as some people who responded may not find music magazines attractive. I would need to find ways on how to make my music magazine a lot more interesting compared to the current music magazines we have today.

My fourth question was “what do you find interesting on a magazine?” the majority of the respondents answered “the main  article” this question links with question three as it is a way to attract the readers. The question response showed me that readers are interested in the main article rather then the featuring artist’s or the genre of the magazine. According to my knowledge a reader sees the front cover before the main article, so the main article should be as good as the front cover in order to attract the readers. This also tells me that for my music magazine I should clearly state the article on the front cover to attract the readers to it.

For the fifth question I asked “what attracts you to buy a magazine?” the majority of the respondents picked “the featuring artists” which illustrates to me that my featuring artists should be clear and noticeable. The least chosen answer was “pull quotes” this might be linked to a lack of understanding the key words as some individuals who answered may not have known what the term “pull quotes” mean. If I was to make a questionnaire again I would explain the key terms clearly for them to understand.

For the sixth question I asked “what do you prefer to read?” all of the respondents answered as “short articles” this showed me that readers are most likely to read short articles rather then long articles. It also tells me that I would need to make my article as interesting as possible in order for the readers to read the article.

The final question I asked was “how much would you pay for a magazine?” the responses varied among £1 - £3. But the majority of the answers that were chosen by the respondents were “£1.50-£2.00”. As the majority of the people I asked were students age between 16-20 this highlights their income. This tells me that my magazine will sell if I price the magazine around this price limit.  

Deconstruction of two music magazines

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Above is a PowerPoint presentation which consists of deconstruction of two music magazine about the main connotations of them.

How an artist establishes themselves?

On the 6^th of February, we looked at how an artist establishes themselves. We read an article about which was based on how musicians brand themselves. As we read this article, I was surprised as I did not take into consideration the amount of things they would need to do in order to ‘brand’ and ‘establish’ themselves. Within the article there was a list of different things an artists may consider to look out, I have also added some of my points to the list which are listed below: (I have organised them to what I think is most important)

1) Their voice: Artists should first have the voice to be able to be successful; I personally do not think money is everything I think the speciality that divides an artist from other artists is the uniqueness of their voice

2) Good role modal: a lot of people especially teenagers look at artists as a role modal. I think artists should be a GOOD role model to children and teenagers today and be themselves. They should teach the public that the most important thing in life is to be truthful and themselves.  

3) A good name: An artists name should be distinctive, unique and descriptive. It should be the number one point which portrays the artist.

4) A Logo: many artists may need a logo in order to represent and promote them as an artist. This could be placed on their website, social media sites, and merchandises (if they have any) and even on their stage if they are during gigs or concerts.

5) Music Videos: An artist’s music video should fully represent them the video will be shown on all channels so the artists would need to make sure that the video is done to the best possible way to represent them.        

6) Fashion statement: Lady Gaga is one of the most talked about celebrities today because of her fashion sense for example, the meat dress- this theme got the whole world talking; her uniqueness shines her out there, we don’t see a lot of celebrities coming down in meat dresses, so this was unique, special to her, and very surprising. I think this did definitely bring a big story for the paparazzi to talk about but it also brought a lot of criticism down to her too. My personally point of view to a fashion statement is to be an artists own style which will also represent them, for example Michael Jacksons glove!

7) Creative CD packaging: I think this is really important as the CD should represent the artists with the music theme and also the theme used externally for the packaging because “everyone judges a book by its cover”.

8) Social media (blogs, face book, twitter): social media is one of the most powerful resources that we have in society today. Users can instantly advertise themselves in just a click of a button. Artists should definitely use social media as it is one of the resources that will advertise them and definitely increase their fan base.

9) Website layout: personally I think the website should portray the artist’s personality and music because as a fan I would personally like to see that and feel special and close to that artists.

10) Freebies: Everyone loves freebies so artists should give freebies like signed cards, the artists will also benefit from this as they will be increasing their fan base and advertising themselves.