Starting a Families Magazine - My Journey

Before I bought the franchise to launch Families West Kent Magazine, I had a background in journalism, editing and editorial design and then had taught journalism at university for several years. Once I had children these previous careers didn’t offer the flexibility to fit in with family life - poorly children needing days off school, the half term childcare dilemma and so on.

I had done bits and piece of PR and marketing for small businesses and thought that would be all I could manage, but when I saw the Facebook advert for a new franchisee to launch a Families magazine in the area I live, I was really excited. Having the opportunity once more to edit a publication (and actually own it) was not something I had thought I could do again.

I was very confident on the editorial side but setting up a distribution network, working out distribution routes and invoicing and keeping accounts was quite new to me. And, of course, selling ads – although I found that having experience of interviewing people and making contacts stood me in good stead. Plus, I totally believe in my product – it is really useful and full of good relevant content and local information, I know the area really well and I have had terrific feedback from advertisers in and readers of the magazine.

It has been really hard work, I can’t deny it, but I love receiving my magazine every two months and knowing I produced it and it will be going out all across the area and being read and referred to. Sales wise, I have exceeded the highest projected targets significantly and revenues continue to build.

I’m a bit more of a creative type rather than methodically organised so I have had to learn good time management as there are so many roles to do. But Head Office has provided excellent training and ongoing support and advice so there is always help when you need it. I’ve just completed my first six issues and am feeling in a good position to build sales and look at my longer term strategy for my magazine to make it into a good second income for my family.

Find out how you can start your own Families Magazine in your area by clicking below

What’s it like to be a Families® Magazine Franchisee and Editor?

Rebecca Lewis took on the franchise for the Cardiff & Vale edition of Families Magazine in November 2018, bringing out her first issue in May/June 2019.

Hear from franchisees Jayne Keep and Caryl Hall

Jayne Keep and Caryl Hall run two magazines, Families® Manchester and Families® Cheshire.

What is it like to be a Families® Magazine Franchisee and Editor?

Rebecca Carr publishes magazines in Hampshire West, Hampshire North and East Kent.