Interviews with target audience to find out what they want from a music magazine

Written format of recorded interview with Sam Scholey:

“What are the main features that make you want to buy a music magazine?”

I only buy magazines that draw me in, and make me want to read whats inside. I think it is very important to have a strong front page but then to also make sure the pages inside maintain the same high standard. When I see a magazine front cover, I look for a large brightly coloured mast head which is easily recognizable so I can access the magazine easily, I also like them to give enough information to entice me to read on, but not too much that the main stories are given away so there is no point buying the magazine. I think that have a large image central to the magazine is important and making sure it has been well edited and looks professional.”

Written format of recorded interview with Pip Marsden:

“What are the main features that you would want to find in a music magazine contents page?”

I personally think that maybe having a few images makes the contents page a bit more interesting, otherwise they can look quite boring, I would also want it to be clear and easy to find the article I want to read and what page they are on with the aid of page numbers, and maybe a little bit of further information from what is given on the front cover just to make me more interested. I think colours are important to make sure the text and background colours don’t blend in together too much which can make the magazine difficult to read.”

Written format from recorded interview with Kaya Allnutt:

“When buying a music magazine, what would you want to be included in the main double page spread article to make it interesting and exciting to read?”

I would definitely want large image of the main celebrity or artist involved, I like the way some magazines merge the text over the image so everything looks like it belongs together on the page. I also like the way important parts of the main article, usually quotes, are enlarged and maybe put in a different colour to interest me into reading the article. The article itself I would want to be of  decent length, not babble that it is too long, but not too short that it doesn't give me a satisfactory amount of information. I wouldn't want the article to be too complex either, I buy magazines for recreation and light reading personally.” 

Written format from recorded interview with Jessica Langley:

“In general, what features would you want to see throughout a music magazine?”

Images, lots of images. Images that kind of look like a poster I find quite cool. I also think if there a few freebies inside that would make me want to buy a magazine. I would want bright colours that work well together and are maintained throughout the magazine, but nothing too complicated. Simple bright colours I think are just as effective. I like articles which are about a page or maybe slightly more in length, but nothing too long with unnecessary information, interviews with musicians I really like, I feel like it helps me to get to know the specific artist a little bit more. An advice column or a music review is something I find quite interesting to read about too.