Magazines Aren’t What They Used To Be — And The Entire Medium Might Be Doomed

When was the last time you flipped through a magazine? If you’re like most folks, it’s probably been a while. Even in waiting rooms and other areas where magazines were typically found, we’re all pretty much scrolling social media or playing games on our phones these days.

But somehow a few magazines continue to churn out issues on a regular basis. But how long can this dying industry continue to operate on such an antiquated business model?

Taking a closer look

All industries, and the leading companies within them, go through tough times every now and then. But businesses that have a strong foundation weather the storm and even come out on the other side bigger and stronger.

The magazine biz, however, continues to decline over time as once-respected sources of information and entertainment have either gone out of business or drastically reduced their print circulation.

One major reason for this trend is the fact that journalism is much different now than it was a few decades ago. These days, everything is online immediately, meaning that magazines are essentially old news by the time they hit the newsstand.

And readers who enjoy a particular writer’s work don’t need to buy a magazine to see it in print anymore; they can simply subscribe to his or her newsletter and cut out the middleman.

Digital isn’t the answer

Some print magazine companies have been able to rebrand as a digital-only outlet, but it’s just not the same. There’s far less ad revenue and far more competition, which means even some formerly beloved brands get lost in the shuffle.

Instead of trying to fit into the digital media mold, experts say magazines that hope to survive need to create a niche for themselves by prioritizing quality (talented writers, visionary editors, etc.) over quantity.

Chris Agee September 16th, 2024

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