Question about Magazines (especially Men's / Outdoors ones)

bob · 03-30-2010, 05:18 PM

My brother and I both subscribe to a lot of magazines, and one of my big complaints about Men's / outdoors magazines is that even when they claim to be doing an article about real men, they focus on trips / activities / workout schedules / etc that are out of the reach of the average man. My brother thinks that is what makes these magazines so popular.

I figured that there is a pretty diverse group of people here, so I was wondering what you all would prefer - focusing on "real" trips or the constant high end trip of a life time type. We have been talking about a project coming up, and the results of this might influence us on what direction that project takes.

JonInMiddleGA · 03-30-2010, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob

My brother and I both subscribe to a lot of magazines, and one of my big complaints about Men's / outdoors magazines is that even when they claim to be doing an article about real men, they focus on trips / activities / workout schedules / etc that are out of the reach of the average man. My brother thinks that is what makes these magazines so popular.

That's because the average subscriber for the titles are generally well above the income range of "the average man". Median HH income in the US was $44,389, median HH income for an Outdoor Life subscriber is about $55k, the bottom of the fourth quintile for income. Median HH income for Maxim subscribers is over $64k, middle of the fourth quintile for income.

Quote:

I figured that there is a pretty diverse group of people here, so I was wondering what you all would prefer - focusing on "real" trips or the constant high end trip of a life time type. We have been talking about a project coming up, and the results of this might influence us on what direction that project takes.

Now that's a different matter, I'm not a big magazine consumer because there really isn't enough in them that interests me for the price of the magazine (or the time investment). But my (nearly 43 y/o married WM) interest in reading on trip material is exponentially higher for realistic trips than for pie-in-the-sky stuff ... strictly FWIW of course.

bob · 03-30-2010, 06:16 PM

Thanks for the feedback. The idea wasn't just a magazine about trips and stuff, but some sort of online magazine that focuses on men without 1) maxim girls and 2) tons of articles about stuff that the average man either doesn't care about or can't afford. The occasional mountain climbing article is fine. The one called "the everyman's trip to " in which they talk about quitting your job and funding a 3 month expedition is not.

Desnudo · 03-31-2010, 08:43 AM

What does the average man mean to you?

Draft Dodger · 03-31-2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desnudo

What does the average man mean to you?

two words: pumpy tudors

I. J. Reilly · 03-31-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Median HH income for Maxim subscribers is over $64k, middle of the fourth quintile for income.

Really? I always thought of Maxim as an early 20's demo. Of course I haven't looked at one in years, so maybe it's changed some.

lungs · 03-31-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I. J. Reilly

Really? I always thought of Maxim as an early 20's demo. Of course I haven't looked at one in years, so maybe it's changed some.

Must be a lot of men who still think they are in their early 20's.

JonInMiddleGA · 03-31-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I. J. Reilly

Really? I always thought of Maxim as an early 20's demo. Of course I haven't looked at one in years, so maybe it's changed some.

Apparently there are some well to do youngsters out there
Maxim subscriber profile
- 73%- Age 18-34
· 27- Median age
· $64,428- Median household income
· 61%- Single
· 66%- College graduate
· 39%- Homeowner

edit to add: Notice the numbers for single & homeowner? I'm guessing there's quite a few Maxim subscriptions being delivered to the subscriber's parents house.

DaddyTorgo · 03-31-2010, 10:57 AM

not with that being the (median) income level...probably a lot of renting bachelors - particularly with the high % of college graduates

bob · 03-31-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desnudo

What does the average man mean to you?

Well, I never thought of "average" in terms of income but rather in that most guys (single or married) can't take 3 months off to do a expedition or pay $5000+ for a 4 day trip.

The idea was to do something similar to The Escapist but focusing on men's interest rather than video games.

DanGarion · 03-31-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob

Thanks for the feedback. The idea wasn't just a magazine about trips and stuff, but some sort of online magazine that focuses on men without 1) maxim girls and 2) tons of articles about stuff that the average man either doesn't care about or can't afford. The occasional mountain climbing article is fine. The one called "the everyman's trip to " in which they talk about quitting your job and funding a 3 month expedition is not.

If there are no maxim girls I have no desire to read it...

JonInMiddleGA · 03-31-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

not with that being the (median) income level...probably a lot of renting bachelors - particularly with the high % of college graduates

Notice that it's the median "Household" income level, not personal or individual income level. That was what I was pointing to, although I was being somewhat facetious as well.

DanGarion · 03-31-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I. J. Reilly

Really? I always thought of Maxim as an early 20's demo. Of course I haven't looked at one in years, so maybe it's changed some.

Maxim went to shit the last couple years. (was a subscriber from the 1st issue till this year when I let it expire).

JonInMiddleGA · 03-31-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob

The idea was to do something similar to The Escapist but focusing on men's interest rather than video games.

Hmm ... lemme see here, men's interests but:
Not focused on hot chicks
Not focused on bucket list trips
Not focused on video games

So basically it's going to be nothing but big screen tv's, sports, and booze?

View Poll Results: Which do you prefer?
Real life (with the occasional high end)	4	57.14%
High end (with the occasional real life)	0	0%
I only read trout fishing magazines.	3	42.86%
Voters: 7. You may not vote on this poll

03-31-2010, 10:57 AM	#9
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	not with that being the (median) income level...probably a lot of renting bachelors - particularly with the high % of college graduates __________________ Get bent whoever hacked my pw and changed my signature. Last edited by DaddyTorgo : 03-31-2010 at 10:57 AM.

03-30-2010, 06:16 PM	#3
bob College Starter Join Date: Oct 2004	Thanks for the feedback. The idea wasn't just a magazine about trips and stuff, but some sort of online magazine that focuses on men without 1) maxim girls and 2) tons of articles about stuff that the average man either doesn't care about or can't afford. The occasional mountain climbing article is fine. The one called "the everyman's trip to " in which they talk about quitting your job and funding a 3 month expedition is not.

03-31-2010, 08:43 AM	#4
Desnudo Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Here and There	What does the average man mean to you?

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