Parenting Magazine feature articles and notes

 When reading the Anatomy of a feature article from Thefreelancers year, I've learned many different aspects when it comes to feature articles. The website states that a feature article hooks the readers by speaking on personal stories that people have the ability to relate to or compare theirselves to. One such quote from the website is

"it has evocative personal stories and a strong ‘trend’ hook and research base, as well as having people share how they have grown despite enormous trauma to do incredible things."

I specifically enjoy the "enormous trauma" part because it shows that anyone can relate to it, even if they have gone through something horrible, the feature article can relate and possible make a difference to them.

The website includes an example of the authors own feature article and the process she went through to get it published. This example tells a story that had the ability to speak to people and warn them about the dangers of losing a child. The author explains that while writing she wondered how many people in all have experienced that and knew she had to bring this story to the public for those families.

This feature article has shown me that the article for my magazine should be something that has the ability to speak to people and make a difference, the story, as stated in the website should allow people to share how they've grown and to be able to have a voice through the story. This analysis has allowed me to discern what type of feature article I want to write in my magazine.

See you later! Over and out!

https://thefreelancersyear.com/blog/example-of-feature-article/

Reviewing a parenting magazine table of contents

 When researching my table of contents I came across a website called flip180media.com that explained key points. On the website it states:

"A great TOC should reflect the true and intended magazine content structure for that issue. The TOC should have sections with clearly-defined names, as well as the article name and the article subheading (if there is one). To make the article references  logical within the article file, we recommend using different font sizes, like this:

Section Name: 24pt, bold

Article Headline: 16pt, bold

Subhead: 14pt, italics"

This portion explains whats recommended for a table of contents in order to be appealing and professional. Then the website explains:

They include screenshots that gives me an idea of what to write and highlights and important part that states, "Unlike with social media headlines, within the TOC, you don’t really need to change the headline for the audience just to gain their attention. They’re already in the table of contents, after all. Nor is it helpful to your production team to use alternative or “shorthand” references if there are potentially similar titles or related article topics within a single issue."

This quote is helpful as i've learned that with my table of contents the headline isn't what grabs the readers attention since they're already interested enough to be reading the able of contents, and that I should just list what I already have.

See you later! Over and out!

https://flip180media.com/tips-for-periodical-publishers/magazine-content-structure-guide/#:~:text=A%20great%20TOC%20should%20reflect,different%20font%20sizes%2C%20like%20this:

Choosing a model for my parenting magazine

 For the modeling aspect of my magazine, I've decided to use my younger brother as he is 4, turning 5 soon and I believe this age range is perfect for clothing. I've already asked my mother for permission so all thats left is to simply start the process. However, since many parenting magazines also include what to do with infants I believe that I should also include infant clothing as well, which may prove difficult as I don't have any infants in my family at the time. To combat this I have decided to use a baby doll and dress it up in infant clothing.

Another thing I've noticed in parenting magazines is the advertisement and inclusion of various toys that parents may want to purchase for their children.

Because of this, I've decided to take pictures of my brother interacting with toys which pushes their likability as parents can see that these products are actually something that kids will play with and enjoy playing with, which in hypothetical can push the sales of my magazine. 

 See you later! Over and out!

In depth analysis of a parenting magazine

 After considering all my genre choices I've decided to do a parenting magazine since it has interested me the most. During my research I found a website called scholar works that stated, "Often they keep their anxiety to themselves, fearing that they will not be accepted by society if they voice their refutation of the concept of intuitive maternity. What no one has told them is that the concept of inherent mothering is actually socially constructed." This quote is something that really inspired me to work on this genre because I believe that my magazine, although hypothetical, as a real emotional reasoning for its existence besides me simply liking the idea of it.

Based on the top ranked parenting magazines, a common factor in these magazines is knowledge on how to take care of a baby whether it be for first time parents or a parent simply struggling at the moment. Since these magazines often include more knowledge based sections I currently have the idea to incorporate small creative outlets throughout it so my magazine is not only writing as too much writing may bore my audience.

Parenting magazines also seem to include simple crafts that parents can create that will save them money as well as help them manage their kids. Because of this, I'll be including photos of small crafts made by hand that have succeeded in helping in problems with my younger brother and/or have simply made life even just a little bit easier for my parents as I believe that even the littlest things can help a lot when it comes to raising a child.

Another thing I noticed is that on most parenting magazines it includes a photo of a child, which might draw parents in as they're reminded of their own children at home. This interest can be the deciding factor in if a parent purchases a magazine so this is something that I will be doing with my model in the future.

See you later! Over and out!

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/7w62fd19c?locale=it

https://www.firstschool.net/blog/top-parenting-magazines-to-guide-you-through-parenthood#:~:text=1.,Family%20Circle

Choosing the genre for my magazine

 When researching for my magazine there are 3 genres that have piqued my interest. In all honesty, I would love to be able to choose all 3 of them as they all seem like genres that best fit me and topics that I would be able to express thoroughly, however I do know I'll have to only choose one eventually.

The first genre I researched was a gardening magazine.

A gardening magazine is something I considered due to the photography aspect of it, many gardening magazines include photo visuals of the stages of a flower and how to take care of them, this really sold me because I heavily enjoy photography and believed that I could express my creative side with the photos taken. However, a down side i realized is that the process of taking these photos is long as you have to follow the flowers from first planted to sprouting and that could take months of time that I unfortunately do not have.

Another genre that I researched was a fashion magazine

A fashion magazine is another magazine convention that I really enjoy because I am an avid clothing person, and have tried many different styles of clothes as well as own many clothing items. The process of getting a model and dressing them up would also be a fun experience to me, I believe my only issue would be listing the pricing of the clothes. I noticed that fashion magazines often have this incorporated so that is something I'll will have to do as well however despite me having many clothes I'm not sure what the prices of them are, as well as the monetary aspect of having to purchase clothing used in my modeling.

The final genre that I researched was a parenting magazine

A parenting magazine is a magazine convention that I like due to the fact that I have a 4 year old kid brother. After viewing parenting magazines I've noticed that they primarily focus on teaching new / expecting parents tips and tricks to help them with the process of their baby, as well as pitch kids clothing items to parents. This convention is one I enjoy since I believe I'll be able to accurately explain certain tips and tricks I've noticed my parents use on my younger brother that have worked, as well as being able to use my brother as a model for the kids clothing section of the magazine. My only concern however is that since I myself am not a parent my tips may come off in a negative way to actual parents if it were to be reviewed by one.

See you later! Over and out!