Podcasting with Purpose for Life Coaches
Education:How To
075 How to start a dreamy fiber biz working with craft magazines
Today I'm answering a common question among budding knitwear designers: "Should I design for magazines?" We'll go over the main items you should consider before submitting a design proposal to a magazine, as well as my top tips for success in this area. If you've been wanting to grow your knitwear design biz, give this episode a listen!
[Tweet "Should you design for magazines? Weigh the pros and cons with this week's episode of the #PowerPurlsPodcast #knitweardesign"]
Episode highlights: It can be tempting to work for "exposure," hoping that will turn you into a superstar. Designing for magazines usually means you will get paid for your work, which is a big benefit! Once you know how much time it will take you to create a design and how much they'll pay, work the numbers. Remember: there's also a marketing benefit for magazine design! Your work gets out to a wider audience. Connection can be a benefit as well. Working with a magazine can connect you with influencers in the industry. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to form connections each time you collaborate on a design. Think about what you can offer above and beyond just sending in a pattern. Solve a pain point for the editor! Rights can be a tricky area for magazine design. For at least some time, the pattern rights will belong to the publication. Make sure you understand the rights agreement and if/when the rights revert to you! Remember that the photos in the magazine don't belong to you; if you republish a design, take your own photos. Even if the rights don't revert back to you at all, that's not necessarily a bad thing! Just make sure you're comfortable with the arrangement. Make sure the fit is right: does your work fit with the magazine and its audience? If not, find another one. Think like a businessperson: tailor your proposal/submission to the magazine you're trying to impress! Kara's tip #1: Keep trying until you get a YES! (No matter how many Nos you hear before that!) Being turned down by one magazine - or ten- does NOT mean that your work isn't good enough! Sometimes rejection just means your work didn't fit their theme or they had too many similar submissions. Kara's tip #2: Be professional! Put together a nice portfolio of your work to show the editor! Study how other designers are using Instagram well to present their portfolios. Maintain a professional website - it's like your virtual home base and it speaks volumes about you and your work. Follow the guidelines and format that the magazine specifies in their calls for proposals. Kara's tip #3: Diversify! Don't put all your eggs in one basket - publish your work in a variety of places. Be aware: If you send your designs out to different magazines, you can't send the same design to more than one place! Never send a previously published design as a proposal to a magazine. All designs must be original. Bonus tip: don't knit your own samples! Hire sample knitters - it will save you a ton of time. Links Mentioned in this Episode:Trisha Malcolm's episodes - Episode 1 and Episode 72
If you need help with planning out your path to magazine publication, or you'd like someone to review your design proposals, book a FREE consulting session with me and we'll go over it together! Click here for all the details.
Do you love the podcast?Support the show on Patreon and get:
bonus episodes audio workshops that inspire intentional living through yarncrafting weekly mini-sodes delivered every Monday to inspire your week ahead.Click the button to join our community!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free