Audience Research

Audience Consumption Habits:

As there is only a few ways of physically reading a magazine, many publishes spend time working out where the magazine will be read. For example, will a consumer be reading the magazine on the go? If so, should the magazine be light and easy to carry, or should it be made heavier to prevent it blowing in the wind? There is no set place or time to read a magazine, so publishers and makers will try to make the magazine and versatile as possible, whilst keeping within the price range of the average consumer.

Many people now have their magazines delivered direct to their home. If a company knows customers will have the magazines delivered they will then need to consider who lives in an average home, and must question wether the content is appropriate. For example, a magazine with a relaxed attitude toward the use of adult language would probably not expect a young child to be reading it. But they would then have to consider whether the consumer is likely to be reading the magazine around young people.

On the other hand, almost all magazines are sold in small and large stores, it is in these situations it is more likely that a small child will see it. To prevent any offences, rules and regulations are put in place to ensure customers are not going to complain.


Audience Expectations:

After talking to several people who actively read music magazines and listening to their opinions I believe I have a fairly solid idea of what the audience expects. A peer of mine, Luke Thomas, has said "For me, a big part of any music magazine is an ability to adapt to the current trends, and to be able to keep up with an ever evolving music scene." I found this to be a slightly contradictory quote as some of my other research has shown that many audience members dislike a magazine that changes its agenda too often; I myself agree with Luke, in that I also believe that in order to be successful a magazine must be willing to change over time.
When asked about colour schemes, within magazines, Greg Reynolds quoted "I think a constant colour schemes makes a magazine look professional, it gives [the magazine] a certain look about it that draws in the customer." Yet again I agree with this quote, for myself a magazine that does not keep a constant colour scheme can look untidy and un-thought through. Though I also think if a magazine is featuring an artist with a specific style, changing the design for a single issue can be used to great effect; however changing the house style often would take a lot of time and eventually become very unprofitable due to the constant need to redesign the fonts and colours.