Hi -

FIRST - please let me say that I hope the following post isn't taking as inappropriate for this forum. I apologize in advance if it is - it was not my intention to do so...I hope you'll take my word for it. I truly want your input.

My name is Josh and I work for a publishing company. We are thinking of launching a magazine exclusively for North American Mini enthusiasts. It will focus on...

-The Mini - history, photos, gatherings, news, etc.
-Gearhead stuff - upgrades, customization, do-it-yourself, etc.
-culture - things of interest to the typical mini owner. Destinations, gadgets, etc.

What I want to know from this community is:

1) Assuming it's done right, is this a good idea? As a Mini owner, are you interested in learning more on the topic?

2) Is this something that someone is already doing?

3) What would YOU include in the magazine if it was yours?

4) anything else you want to tell me.

Again, I hope you don't think this is a cheesy attempt to troll for a subscriber list. It isn't. I just wanted to go to the source - the active Mini community - to get their thoughts before we take this idea to the next leve.

Thanks very much for your time. I appreciate any input you can provide.

Josh

 

sign me up!

 

Do you NOT own a MINI?
Does any of your board members, photographers, editors, writers, etc... own or drive a MINI?

My best advise is for about half of you to buy and own MINIs. Shouldn't you put together a magazine for MINI owners that is written by MINI owners? Then you don't have to ask at a forum to know what is important.

I don't want to read a health and fitness magazine written by people who are not fitness experts and I won't read a cooking magazine written by people who are not chefs, etc... Same for a magazine about MINIs. If noone owns a MINI, then your magazine is just a gathering of advertising space. Don't start the magazine because you think the car is a new fad and you can profit from it. Start the magazine because you are part of the MINI community and see a need for a magazine.

 

There was a thread 1 -2 weeks ago (maybe someone else can help me find it for him). It was from a Mini owner who was also interested in starting such a magazine. The feedback he got was extremely positive with many responders offering to contribute.

Potentially this would be competitive, by hopefully it would be a means for a publishing house and Mini owners to develop a joint venture. I agree with Pebbles that you've got to know them to write to those who do. This might be a good collabloration.

Yes, put me down as someone who'd love such a magazine. The things mentioned all make sense, including letting us all know about regional Mini events, product reviews, and helping to bring together what I'm finding to be really nice people around mutual interests.

Good Luck!

 

Very good points, Pebbles. And I couldn't agree with you more.

I actually think that most publications err on the side of concentrating too much on having experts in the field, as opposed to interesting, compelling and well informed WRITERS.

Ultimately, what you need is a mix of both which, should we feel that there is an audience there, we will build.

None of the three of us who originally formulated the idea are Mini owners. Two of us are obsessive car enthusiasts who know a heck of a lot more about the Mini (it's history, the buzz surrounding it, etc.) than I, but not specifically Mini owners (yet).

Another good point you made, Pebbles - any magazine that starts as merely a place holder for advertising will FAIL. You couldn't be more right about that.

My two partners and I are idea people...should the magazine launch, it will be run by those who are passionate about the subject, first and foremost. Otherwise, what's the point?

Thanks so much. Keep 'em coming.

 

Thanks Inioway.

I saw that thread - it got me excited about the possibilities for this subject matter.

 

So minimag, what color MINI do you want ???

 

I remember the first time I saw one, Pebbles. I thought, "What the hell is that?"

 

Word of advice, if you are thinking about a mag for the MINI, remember there is a history surrounding the classic MINI and its owners. I believe the magazine should cover both the New and Classic. Your readership base would be wider and you won't alienate a segment of new owners who also own a classic and those who own only a classic. Many of the classic clubs around North America have accepted and encourage new owners to join their clubs. They are a great source of history and information about the MINI and most have ties to owners around the world as well as vendors who sell MINI aftermarket items from both cars.

I know many who would subscribe to a magazine devoted to the MINI of North America. They already subscribe to the MINIWorld and others from Europe. I think there is enough going on around North America with both cars to sustain a magazine, perhaps monthly or bi-monthly; you will have to decide after doing some investigation. Get tied into all the clubs.

OK, I am off my soapbox.

 

OK...

1) Assuming it's done right, is this a good idea? As a Mini owner, are you interested in learning more on the topic?

Absolutely.

2) Is this something that someone is already doing?

Not that I am aware of.

3) What would YOU include in the magazine if it was yours?

Products and the low down on them. I would have a mod rating system and be SURE not to leave out the MC CVT automatic model mods.

4) anything else you want to tell me.

The thing I find I most want is an independant source for comparison for mods. As well I would like to see featured new products as well as a cost breakdown from several of the major suppliers. True I can go get those things, but having them in a magazine will encourage sails and discounts from them to compete with eachother.

I would also love to see a back section with solid advertising sepperated into big national companies, as well as smaller regional vendors. I would love to see more than just people selling Mini products. I would like to see the best body shops in various areas and high quality detailers.

A section dedicated to club event callendars of Mini events(with a free option for a small non changing announcement for a regions meetings ie. Tampa, FL 4th Friday of the month at Macdintons 123 4th ST. http://www.clunwebsite.com, but allowing the clubs to upgrade that to something bigger for a price.) .

I would love to see a column from an "expert" comparing the latest mods out there to the existing ones. (ie comparing various pulleys, wires, plugs, ECU upgrades...)

I would also love to see a featured Mini in each issue detailing the car in complete detail, including mods, as well as detailed shots of all the additions to that car, be it classic or new.

 

Pebbles: you are right on target. If "Minimag" owned a Mini he wouldn't need to ask if it was a good idea or not, he would have ask what do you want to see in it.
Any Car owner who loves his car as the "Minianeers" do will of course buy a mag that share their intrest. I think I have every Mag sold that had Mini info in it

 

I will be your first subscriber!

 

-If it only dealt with the Mini2

-At least half the staff would have to be true Mini enthusiasts/owners

-Contributors/editors would have to be passionate about the Mini

-$12.99 for a one year subscription

 

I just wanted to thank you all for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it, and I look forward to reading whatever else you have to say.

Thanks again,

Josh

Oh, and d2create - You're invoice is on it's way

 

Do it–I think It's great. The only other magazine that I've seen do a decent job on the MINI is Grassroots Motorsports. I think I like the mag because of the "community" feel to it.

I think community would be very important–to write with a tone and voice that captures what the MINI hoopla/trends and above all, loyal enthusiasm that has made the Marque some 43 years young. So I think you need to mix it up with the old and new. Hell maybe even have mag divided into two obviouse sections: the New MINI in the front and then when you get to the original Mini section, you have to turn the mag upside down to read it. I think there's already a mag out there that does that but I can't recall the name...

So I say go for it, and I agree; it's going to be your writing that makes the magazine, not the fact that you own one–that's what product testing is all about, right?

Good luck, sounds like a lot of fun.

-Jake

 

Hi Josh and welcome to MCO!

I think we definitely need a minimag, brilliant idea.

To answer your questions;


>>1) Assuming it's done right, is this a good idea? As a Mini owner, are you interested in learning more on the topic?

Absolutely, I've been yearning for a MINI mag for a long time (if done right).

>>
>>2) Is this something that someone is already doing?
>>

Not that I know of.

>>3) What would YOU include in the magazine if it was yours?
>>

A number of things:
given what I know about and how I feel about the MINI community, I would recommend A LOT of input from the the community of MINI owners:

A) A periodic writeup on a particularly interesting MINI of one of the subscribers.

B) Trip reports from subscribers with lots of cool photos. This could include 'MINIs in unusual places' from around the world.

C) Reports (with photos) of club events and track days.

D) Tech reports on modifications, paint jobs, interior stuff, aftermarket gear.

E) A section on how to's, including a section on the little tricks you wanted to know about that are not written up anywhere.

Probably other stuff as well, taht's all I can think of.

I agree with pebbles, you should have some MINI owners involved with the magazine!!!!


>>4) anything else you want to tell me.
>>
>>Again, I hope you don't think this is a cheesy attempt to troll for a subscriber list. It isn't. I just wanted to go to the source - the active Mini community - to get their thoughts before we take this idea to the next leve.
>>
>>Thanks very much for your time. I appreciate any input you can provide.
>>
>>Josh


Cheers,
Markus

 

I think it would be a good idea to have a North American MINI / Mini enthusiasts Mag. I'd look to some of the UK specialty rags for the how to. Check out The Golf, MG World, 911 World, VW Performance, etc. They all seem to offer a proper blend of new v. old, original v. modified, sport v. show. Advertisers are also highly diverse in these mags too. Best of luck, and count on me for a charter subscription.

 

As far as I am aware, the only publication exclusive to Mini's is Mini World, which is a British mag focusing almost exclusively on the Classic mini. I think you have a large and ever building market for your intended publication.

There will be a plethora of instantly available advertizing revenue for you and a solid base of readership. With regards to content I think this is where the challenge lies.

The MINI can be (and is) marketed to many varied groups at the same time; from fancy fashionista's to autocrossing 'cone heads'. The pitch hits them all square on. If your mag is too motorsport oriented on the one hand, or too trendy girlie on the other you will only acquire a small segment of the available market. But then I'm sure you guys know a lot more about that than I do.

I would suggest you go buy a copy of Mini World at Barnes and Noble and use it as a blueprint. Oh, and talk to BMW so they don't set the dogs on you before you ever get to publish!!

_________________
My other 'little' car is a 1965 AC Cobra Replica

 

A mag like this could be very popular if done right. Specialty magazines have a lot of competition from general interest mags but many MINI owners are MINI Enthusiasts so I can see this being a good one...if done right, of course. Let us know what the progress is. I would be interested in seeing the finished product! One question, though, would it be an On-Line magazine or a normal publication or both?

 

sign me up

 

>>1) Assuming it's done right, is this a good idea? As a Mini owner, are you interested in learning more on the topic?

Yes, I would likely subscribe.

>>3) What would YOU include in the magazine if it was yours?
>>
I started coming to the forums to learn more about the car and I stuck around because it was entertaining. I think a similar formula applies here. As more and more of us come out of the warranty, I suspect having information about maintaining the car and correcting little issues that arise with age and use will be good. But to have people reading every month (or however often it will be published), there has to be entertaining features to bring them back.

I suggest a "roads to motor on" feature that would be reader suggested and writer/editor tested. We know about the Tail of the Dragon here, does everyone? Who's done the Peak to Peak Highway in Colorado? You could break it down into scenic drives and technically challenging drives (some are both). That's just one idea.

>>4) anything else you want to tell me.
>>
Focus on getting good writers and editors. The technical information is out there, you need someone who can make it readable and even entertaining.

P.S. Buy a MINI.

 

Don't forget to sign up and sponser our favorite Mini web site, MCO. I would be interested in the Mag, hopefully soon we'll get to see some new cosmetic mods hitting the market as the Mini fever grows.

 

Wow - so many great responses since I last checked in.

Here's my responses to your responses:

SPELTZER - Agree with your assessments. $12.95 - monthly? quarterly? How much "coverage" is too much, in your view?

JAKEBRG - Yeah, the mix of old and new seems crucial. Particularly given the car's storied European history vs. the relatively new feel the company has here in the States.

MG-BGT - Thanks for the kind words and the enthusiasm. I like your ideas, particularly A, B and E.

MGCMAN - Thanks. I was "inspired" by an Audi mag. I saw. Very slick, extremely interesting to read, and an interesting mix of car stuff and cultural stuff. Somehow, it all workedl

SAVAGE 65 - Thanks for the advice on Mini World. I will certainly check it out.

ROBBY - Just in poking around, it seemed to me, as you said, that there are certain groups that would appreciate something specific to them, rather than a general publication. The Mini crowd seems to fit this description. I come from the hardcopy world, so I would imagine it would be a print publication (it is nearly impossible to sell advertising in an online magazine environment and, alas, this would be a business venture...)

DARXAR - You're on

5280MOTORING - Interesting comments regarding the "entertainment" factor. I think you're right about that. And, yes, I wish I had a Mini yesterday after talking to so many folks about them. There seems to be nothing but joy associated with this community, which is certainly a nice change.

DOOMSDAYBOB - After all of the great feedback I've gotten, I can promise you that I won't forget about MCO!

You guys are terrific. Thanks again and, as always, keep them coming. I appreciate your honesty and generosity with your time and thoughts.

Josh