Last week Company magazine announced that October will be the last of their magazines available in print. Of course, they’ll still be online and take advantage of popular social media channels, but for me it hits home that actual, hard copy, print magazines are on the way out. I mean, they won’t just disappear from our shelves all at once. But the cost of producing magazines paired with the decrease in sales of these publications means its inevitable for any business wanting to maximise profits, to follow the most cost effective ‘trend’ and move their magazine online.
We’ve seen the same happen in the Book industry, whilst some of us still love the new book smell and the feel of having an actual book in our hands, others have their kindles. Personally, I love having a book, but I’ve used my iPad to purchase books too. This industry has been taken over by Amazon’s Kindle, Apples iPad and various other e-readers available on the market. Even Tesco released the Hudl to compete in the market. The unique selling points of these? You can download what you want instantly, instead of going to your local book shop, or waiting for it in the post. You don’t need a shelf in your living room full of books you probably won’t read again, you simply store them on your device. You don’t have to feel pressured into borrowing a book to someone, knowing you won’t get it back.
The trend towards online publications has seen the majority of companies offer their customers an online version alongside the hard copy. I buy Look magazine once in a while, and know that if I can’t find it in my local newsagents, I can go home and get it on my iPad. I know it’s more environmentally friendly for us all to switch to online magazines, but I can’t help but feel weird about it. There is just something about being able to flick through a magazine and then give it to my sister when I’m done. I have a monthly subscription to Vogue and I love getting it through the post and having it on my shelf.
I think we’ll see more magazines following Company and ceasing their print version, but I’m sure there will still be print magazines for a long time yet. Look at the book industry? You can still get the majority of books in hard copy if you want.
I’d love your opinions on this – do you prefer magazines in print?
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I think lately you only see people reading magazines only in waiting rooms. Or in beauty salons as their hair is drying. I’m all for the comfort of technology I must admit, but I buy prints when going on vacations or generally road tripping 🙂
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I have Vogue every month 🙂 and Look now and again. I’m like you and ALWAYS buy them when I’m travelling. I think it would be weird reading them on my iPad all the time! x
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Great little post here Bethany :D. Although I much prefer reading books on my iPad, I couldn’t read a magazine on it, much prefer it in print! Xxx
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There is just something about having a magazine and a hot chocolate haha! X
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Last time I bought a fashion magazine there were more pages of advertising than actual acticles 😦 I get bombarded with ads for free all the time, no way I’m going to be paying for them. Books though, yeah…
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I agree with you. I have Vogue and it’s full of adverts, i’m a marketing grad and actually like looking at ads. I wouldn’t buy any more for ads though haha!! X
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I was sad to hear about Company magazine – an Irish teenage magazine announced they were finishing too the same day so it definitely looks like a lot of them are heading the same way. I have to say I personally prefer magazines (and books) in print. I spend enough time staring at screens so it’s nice to take a break from that.
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Aw no!! Thats a shame 😦 Yeah, our whole life is consumed by screens! It’s nice to take a break 🙂 x
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I completely agree – I could never imagine not having that special Vogue issue pop through my letterbox every month. I personally would much rather have a physical copy of a magazine rather than an online version any day! Xx
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This upsets me as i love chilling in the bath with a magazine. 😦
…x
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I think we’ll be ok for a while yet, just sad to see them going one by one x x
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I don’t think you’re right assuming that print is dying out! I am glad Company magazine is disappearing and I’ll be glad to see other women’s magazines disappear too. Without going into a rant I find them negative, gossipy and belittle women completely. We’ll never be equal to men while there’s crappy magazines like that out there! I think positive magazines for hobbies will stick around, like fitness (my mam loves them!), knitting, crafts, and beauty and fashion magazines could do well if only the writers didn’t make normal people feel like shit. Books will never die out as well, they just won’t! 🙂 it’s DVDs and CDs that are going to disappear as everything becomes downloadable, but books. Nuh uh no way never! 🙂 x
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I know what you mean about womens magazines, I rarely read them myself. I like Vogue to flick through the ads mainly, I’m a Marketing graduate, what can I say?! haha 🙂 I do find that the majority of magazines are crappy and totally agree with you! I read Look which I find is more fashion based, but I do skip most of the celebrity rubbish!!!
Yeah, I’d be happy for books to stay! – nothing better than sitting down with a book and a hot chocolate!!
Thanks for your comment 🙂
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I love the feel of holding a magazine! I definitely prefer print 😉
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I have to agree 🙂 xx
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I know what you mean, there’s no feeling like flicking through a thick, glossy magazine but it seems there will come a day when they die out and everyone switches to online! I think the traditional format will be missed though and I think a lot of people actually favour the physical versions! I have a Kindle but I always still opt for the physical version of a book if I can! It’s just cost, it’s much cheaper to get it online!
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I love having a physical version, will be a sad day when it all disappears! X
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