Evalutation part 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

When constructing my magazine the main thought you need to always refer back to is 'how is this going to engage my target audience?' The most important thing about making a magazine is how it addresses your audience. For example If a magazine that is usually based on the rock n roll genre suddenly decides to bring out a pop cover, then it would not attract their audience. After deciding that my target market will be people who share a love for indie pop music, it was then important to plan elements that will attract them and engage them into buying my magazine.

One technique I used was the mode of address. This is where the magazine engages with the audience. There are four main types of mode of address that I learnt about in class, There is the 1st person, the 3rd person, informal and formal and colloquial and expletive language. In my magazine I thought it was vital to use topic specific words in order to engage to my indie pop audience. In order to do this I needed to use a variety of colloquial and expletive language. I didn't want to go to the extremes of references to sex or swearing on the front cover as I was aware of the younger ages of my target audience, however I felt because the ages are 15- mid 20's they are relatively young. This in mind, I wanted to make my magazine appeal to the younger generation my using more 'slang' words rather than the Queens English. This was also important to consider in my interview with 'Libby Lloyd'. As she was the artist on my front cover I wanted to write about her and her success in her music. I felt that because my magazine doesn't appeal to the rock n roll genre, I wanted to play it safe without using any bad language. I used the quote ' music gives soul to the universe and life to everything' because I thought this would reach out to my audience and engage them to want to read the article.

The images I used were another way to engage with my audience. On the front cover I had my model look straight at the camera as I thought this builds the relationship between the magazine and the target audience. On the contents page I added a image of a new boy band because I thought that my magazine front cover didn't portray that It was targeted to both genders. I feel that my model on the front appeals to the ages of my target audience as she is 17, therefore in between the age group. On my double page spread I have a lowered angle shot of my model and she is smiling. I think that is it effective that the quote is placed next to her as it reinforces her personality. The connotations of her smiling enhance the fact she may be a kind and gentle person. This is build a connection between my target audience, therefore make them want to buy the magazine.

When creating my magazine I had to think hard about a Mast head. I came up with RADAR as the word is used in terms of radio waves, therefore I linked the two together with the literal meaning on radio that plays music. I thought this idea was original therefore my target market will feel intrigued.

The fonts were also really important when addressing my audience. I learnt that there are two types of fronts. SERIF and SANS SERIF. For my magazine I used Sans Serif front as I thought this looked a lot neater and complied with my target audience. I felt that using Sans Serif it made my magazine look less formal giving it that indie sort of rugged vibe.
 

Another way I enaged my audience was throught the contenets page. I made sure that the contents page was eye catching to the reader as it is the first page inside the magazine that you see. I added 3 images as I wanted to give it as much depth as I could as I felt that images give away a lot more than text, therefore making the audience want to read about it. Although my main article was focused on Libby Lloyd, I also included other artists such as 'HAIM' alongside a photo of them. I also involved 'NEW ARTISTS' in bold to show that my magazine consist of not only one artist but all the new ones as well. I thought that putting New artists in capitals will portray significance and persuade the reader into thinking they will need to find out who the new artists are.