Demographics

Demographics are the measurable characteristics of media consumers such as, age, gender, race, education and income level. Having a good understanding of the demographic the magazine is aimed at is vital for any magazine. By understanding the needs of the demographic a magazine can be altered to fulfil these needs, thus making the magazine more appealing to the audience. For instance the magazine Q charges £3.99 for each edition, whereas Kerrang charges £2.20. It is clear just from the cost that Kerrang is aiming its magazine at a lower demographic audience than Q. The design of these magazines also reflects their target audience. 

Here is a cover from one of the editions of Q. The cover is relatively simplistic, it looks clean and professional. This is something that appeals more to an older reader, which is a person who is more likely to fall into the higher demographic categories.

Now here is a cover from an edition of Kerrang. The cover is much busier than Q's. There are more colours, fonts and pictures. This is something that would appeal much more to a younger audience, people who fall into the lower demographic categories. 

After looking at the chart above I have concluded that I want to aim my magazine at the lower demographic groups. The groups E to C2. I am aiming it mainly at the younger people and students that fall into these categories rather than the older people. I want to make the magazine affordable for them as they likely have no, or a very low paid job. As I wish to realise the magazine fortnightly, I think charging a price of about £2.50-£3.00 is reasonable and isn't too much to put off the targeted demographic. For this particular demographic I believe the best free gifts would be things such as posters, music downloads and possibly free CDs. To appeal to the audience I wish to have a cover which is more similar to the style of Kerrang's than Q's. Something that is bright and lively, which would be sure to stand out to that particular audience.