Mainstream vs Niche

Mainstream vs. Niche

Mainstream Magazine – A mainstream publication is one that appeals to a lot of people eg NME, Q, OK, Chat, Bella, and Kerrang!.

Advantages

·        Broad public appeal

·        Wider audience = big sales

·        More profit

·        More appeal to advertisers because more people are interested

·        Covers more subject matter

Disadvantages

·        Flooded market (proliferation of similar product)

·        No specific targeting of any one group

·        Usually owned by multimedia cooperation’s with links to record labels (this cross-media convergence can manipulate record sales)

·        Be careful what is published as audience is wide (no offensive content)

·        Lack credibility

Niche Magazine – A niche publication is one that is intended for a small specific and dedicated audience eg Terrorizer, Pitchfork and Fangoria.

Advantages

·        A small, specific audience so they can appeal directly to them

·        Don’t have to be as sensitive with content because they know exactly what their audience want

·        Readers are more fanatical and will buy every copy

·        Can get away with using technical terms and jargon

Disadvantages

·        Not very well advertised as people won’t advertise an uncensored magazine that doesn’t appeal to many people

·        No one knows about the magazine

·        If it isn’t backed by a major company it can be very expensive

·        Lower quality graphics and presentation