How to Become a Magazine Publisher

A magazine publisher is the person in charge of the entire magazine operation, from start to finish. He or she has the final say even above the editor-in-chief in how the magazine looks, both in design and editorial content.


Step1
Get a degree, preferably in publishing, business, design or communications. A Bachelor's degree is recommended for most publishing positions, and a master's degree is highly recommended for a career in this field, but neither are necessarily required if you have enough knowledge and experience in the market.

Step2
Work in the industry to gain experience. The best publishers have been writers, layout designers, editors or photographers themselves. Know what goes into creating a magazine from the ground up.

Step3
Create a business plan if you are starting a new magazine, or possess business knowledge if stepping into an existing magazine publisher position. Your magazine is your business and career, so the more you know about how your money is being spent the better.

Step4
Read magazines. To keep your magazine fresh and profitable, follow industry trends and always try to outsell your competition, no matter if your magazine is in the small or large scale. Look through and read content of other magazines to stay in the know.

Step5
Hire a team to work with your project. You are in charge of editorial, advertising and promotions, circulation, distribution, finance and accounting, marketing, production and research. If you are a small magazine or are just starting out, you may have to do some of these jobs yourself or hire a small team to take care of multiple pieces of the project.

Step6
Read books such as "Publish Your Own Magazine, Guide Book or Weekly Newspaper" by Thomas A. Williams or "Starting & Running a Successful Newsletter or Magazine" by Cheryl Woodard. Organizations such as the Magazine Publishers Association can also give you information about industry standards and tips to keep your business running smoothly.