Insights into the Development of a Magazine
The new issue of Buchjournal is ready to be launched just in time for the Leipzig Book Fair. Our customer magazine for more than 2,000 bookshops in Germany, Austria and Switzerland once again presents numerous reading recommendations on the latest publications this year.
Our trainee Olivia is currently working in the media team and has contributed to the creation of the magazine.
“Over the past few weeks, I have been on an exciting journey through the world of magazine development. I was able to observe my colleagues from the advertising team in their daily work.
I worked closely with our scheduling team to transmit the ad data. I was also responsible for placing the ads in InDesign.
For each issue, the Buchjournal itself also receives a preview in VLB-TIX with all the featured titles that I was allowed to create. It is a source of inspiration and shopping assisantance for our partner bookshops
I also had the opportunity to take part in important meetings such as the creation of the site plan. This involves determining the layout and placement of the content.
These insights into the entire production process of the Buchjournal were extremely instructive and deepened my understanding of the processesin the media industry.
Another highlight of my training will be next April. That's when I'll be completing my internship at Stark Druck, where the book journal is printed. This will give me the opportunity to get to know the printing process from start to finish.”
Questions for the experts
For a deeper look behind the scenes of the Buchjournal, I spoke to my colleagues Nadja, Editor-in-Chief of the Buchjournal, and Vanessa, Key Account Manager.
What is your role in the book journal?
Nadja: It is my first task in my new position as Editor-in-chief of the Buchjournal to create a nice, varied magazine. To do this, I not only have to write and edit a lot, but also organize all sorts of things and communicate a lot, a lot, a lot. Because all sorts of different people contribute to a magazine like this and have an influence.
Vanessa: As Key Account Manager, I look after the advertising customers in the publishing houses with whom I am in regular contact.
- What do you enjoy most about working on the customer magazine?
Nadja: When I can visit and interview authors whose books I enjoy reading in person for a portrait. It's nice to get to know the people behind their books and to understand what drives them and pushes them to write. And I like working with the publishers. You can always tell what a nice industry we're in. That it's not just about making money with the latest bestsellers, but that most of them are passionate about what they do and that they all have their favorite books that they're really passionate about.
Vanessa: The discussions and collaboration with publishers are particularly fulfilling for me, as both sides want to jointly represent books as an important part of our cultural landscape and promote their visibility.
- What challenges do you encounter in your work?
Vanessa: The industry is constantly changing, which can sometimes be quite challenging. You have to keep adapting to these changes. So my conversations with our contacts are characterized by constant exchange and close collaboration to ensure the best possible visibility for their books. Despite occasional challenges in coordinating our schedules, we work together to give books the attention they deserve.
Nadja: The Buchjournal is largely financed by publishers advertising their new titles with us. However, the marketing departments are currently putting more of their money into online advertising. As our Buchjournal has an enormous reach, it's still worth placing ads there. After all, our magazine appeals to readers who regularly visit bookshops, buy books there and like to be inspired. Apart from that, with a printed magazine we also reach an older generation who prefer to leaf through a magazine.
- What is most important in your work?
Vanessa: Standing behind what you sell. That's why I sell ads for our customer magazine and not car accessories.
Nadja: Staying calm under sometimes enormous time pressure and keeping an eye on the big picture.
It always helps to cuddle my fluffy cat that is waiting for me in my home office and with whom I am currently living for a few months.
More information
To the new Buchjournal:
About training at MVB: