We touched on most of this in Magazine Cover 101, but here’s a quick refresher just in case.
Is your cover an accurate representation of the content inside?
If your masthead changes every issue, does it flow well with the rest of the cover?
Is your cover image creating the first impression you’re looking for?
Have you included hooks to articles inside?
Have you included the date, edition, or whatever system you use to sort each issue?
The Main Event: What’s what you’re here for, right? Content is king, so make sure yours is worthy of the throne.
Reread your content; does it actually say what you mean?
Is your content written in a voice that is appropriate to your subject matter?
Does everything inside come together cohesively?
If your magazine has a theme, does everything fit?
Is it aimed at your target audience?
Does every article have a hook? A thesis?
Is your content easy to understand?
Do articles flow into one another?
Does it all fit your editorial style guide?
Enhancing your narrative: Whether your visuals are supporting your writing or vice versa, they have to be just as perfectly polished as your written content.
Do your images support the content?
Or, if your publication is image-centric, is it supported by text?
If you’re using images that need to be attributed, have you done so? (If you’re looking for images that you can use for free, check out
Is your color palette appropriate?
Is your typography appropriate?
Have you properly attributed your images?
How well integrated are your illustrations, if you have any?
Does it all fit your design style guide?
Have you included a table of contents?
If your publication has sections, is all your content appropriately sorted?
Are your page numbers accurate?
Cross Your T’s and Dot Your I’s: These may seem like minor details, but they can be major distractions. Make sure that none of these little hiccups distract from your content.
Have you spell-checked? Do it again, just in case.
Is everything fact-checked?
Do all of your links go to pages that still exist?
Are all of your features like embedded videos and galleries working appropriately?
A: Explore various revenue models such as subscriptions, single-issue sales, and advertising. Tailoring the approach to your audience's preferences is crucial
A: Utilize social media, email marketing, and SEO strategies to increase visibility. Engaging with your audience through these channels can also provide valuable feedback
A: Use analytics tools to track reader engagement, subscription growth, and which content performs best. This data can inform future content and marketing strategies.