View Poll Results: Have you read "Jive Magazine"?

Voters
13. You may not vote on this poll
  • Yes, I have subscribed for a year

    5 38.46%
  • I plan to subscribe

    0 0%
  • I have purchased one copy

    2 15.38%
  • I have read a copy that someone else purchased

    1 7.69%
  • I considered subscribing and have decided "NO"

    2 15.38%
  • I'd like to subscribe but I'm too busy

    0 0%
  • I tried to subscribe but it was too complicated

    0 0%
  • I'm still undecided

    3 23.08%
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 45

Thread: Jive Magazine

  1. #1
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Sussex by the Sea
    Posts
    9,276
    Rep Power
    15

    Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Gus View Post
    At last .. someone who's actually bought it. Going to give us a review when you get your copy? Not seen anywhere selling it.
    I've now read my copy from cover to cover - except the horoscopes, who reads them?

    The magazine arrived really quickly and I flicked through it. My first impression was that it was packed with interesting stuff, loads of pictures, articles, interviews, adverts, etc.

    I sat down and read everything and it was all interesting as it was all about our jive world. The interviews were particularly good. We all think we know Nigel, Nina, Amir, Catriona, John Brett, etc, etc. We've known them for years. But have we? We've just been around them for years, but we're always dancing, dancing, dancing! Now I've read about them I feel know them much better - even those who have stayed as house guests on many occasions!

    There's a few things about the layout and picture size that are a bit like a school magazine, but the only real criticism I have is the typography. You need to read this magazine in a strong light! The font size is a bit small and some of the font colours and backgrounds give you very little contrast - especially the article about Gran Canaria with a tiny, pale orange type face over a slightly cloudy, pale blue sky. However, you have to remember not to compare this magazine to the mass-market professional publications you see in newsagents. This is a labour-of-love, niche magazine aimed right at Modern Jivers, everything in it is relavant and interesting to Modern Jivers and it's just £2. That's £2 very well spent - much, much less than the price of a cup of coffee in Starbucks!

    Talking of pictures, there's plenty and you will spot many faces that you recognise.

    And there's quite a lot of shoe talk too

    How would I improve Jive Magazine in future editions? The first thing I'd do is get the advice and help of someone who works in the art department of a magazine or newspaper - preferably find a jiver who will do it for free as these guys are not cheap! I'd have less interviews, add reports from events like Britrock and the East Midlands Champs to the next one and I'd have some actual news from around the country.

    Overall, I think this first edition is well worth it's cover price and I'm delighted I've subscribed.

  2. #2
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Sussex by the Sea
    Posts
    9,276
    Rep Power
    15

    Adding a poll?

    Could one of the lovely moderators add a poll to this thread?

    Please?

    I'd like to know I'm not the only reader.

    Something like;

    Have you read "Jive Magazine"?

    Yes, I have subscribed for a year
    I plan to subscribe
    I have purchased one copy
    I have read a copy that someone else purchased
    I considered subscribing and have decided "NO"
    I'd like to subscribe but I'm too busy
    I tried to subscribe but it was too complicated

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    bedford
    Posts
    4,899
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: Jive Magazine

    I have not read this magazine. This comment is relevant to anyone that pays for adverts in publications.

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy McGregor View Post
    ... However, you have to remember not to compare this magazine to the mass-market professional publications you see in newsagents...
    I disagree. The very first thing that anyone that wants a magazine to be a success is to compare it to successful publications. If it differs in presentation from the mainstream successes then you may be a genius that has invented something new that has eluded great minds with millions invested over centuries, or you may have got it wrong.

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy McGregor View Post
    ...There's a few things about the layout and picture size that are a bit like a school magazine, but the only real criticism I have is the typography. You need to read this magazine in a strong light! The font size is a bit small and some of the font colours and backgrounds give you very little contrast - especially the article about Gran Canaria with a tiny, pale orange type face over a slightly cloudy, pale blue sky. However, you have to remember not to compare this magazine to the mass-market professional publications you see in newsagents...
    Publishers and marketers have researched all this. There is millions at stake. They have really worked at it. Boring old black text on a white background is the norm because it works best. People read for the content, anything that gets in the way is bad. Coloured text and coloured backgrounds are ok for headlines or small important phrases, but make for hard reading in big sections of print.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Minnie M's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Hove Actually
    Posts
    7,924
    Rep Power
    14

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Where's the option "not interested" or "wouldn't waste my money"

    Actually I wish them luck as it is very difficult to keep the content up.


    --ooOoo--
    Age is a question of mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter
    Leroy (Satchel) Paige (1906-1982)

    Mickey Mouse's girlfriend, Minnie, made her film debut, along with Mickey, in "Steamboat Willie" on November 18, 1928.
    That date is recognized as her official birthday.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Gold Coast, Austra
    Posts
    2,345
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    Where's the option "not interested" or "wouldn't waste my money"

    I was looking for the "please scan it and email it to me Andy" option.

    As to paying money for it... nah.

    Jive time did one many years ago, Ceroc Australia did one many years ago.

    As to the interviews with Nigel, Nina, Amir, John Brett - Ok, as a starter for 10... tell me something I do not know...

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    bedford
    Posts
    4,899
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Martin View Post
    I was looking for the "please scan it and email it to me Andy" option.

    As to paying money for it... nah.

    Jive time did one many years ago, Ceroc Australia did one many years ago.

    As to the interviews with Nigel, Nina, Amir, John Brett - Ok, as a starter for 10... tell me something I do not know...
    If it were I launching an MJ mag I would do it as an E-mag with really intrusive cheap ads (Hover ads), that people would pay not to see. I would tailor content (eg locality) to the recipient.

    I would pay to see an issue but do not want to have online accounts.

  7. #7
    Commercial Operator StokeBloke's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Stoke-on-Trent
    Posts
    2,366
    Rep Power
    10

    Cool Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by bigdjiver View Post
    If it were I launching an MJ mag I would do it as an E-mag with really intrusive cheap ads (Hover ads), that people would pay not to see. I would tailor content (eg locality) to the recipient.

    I would pay to see an issue but do not want to have online accounts.
    You seem to have the whole thing sewn up - I look forward to reading your work

  8. #8
    Commercial Operator Gus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    York
    Posts
    5,203
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    Actually I wish them luck as it is very difficult to keep the content up.
    Aye ... after you've interviewed the top 10 or 20 'movers and shakers' on the MJ circuit, put a few pictures in ... where do you go then? Most debates are covered off on one of the MJ forums as well as commentary on events. IF you are serious about a magazine you have to have a strong editorial team and/or respected line-up of contributors. Somehow I don't think 'Dr Dance' will quite cut it

    Of course ... if Andy gets a monthly slot on MJ fashion that could all change ...

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    South
    Posts
    5,424
    Blog Entries
    22
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    Where's the option "not interested" or "wouldn't waste my money"
    How about "waiting for 'the subscriber' to pick out anything interesting and post it on the forum".

    Quote Originally Posted by Minnie M View Post
    Actually I wish them luck as it is very difficult to keep the content up.

  10. #10
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Sussex by the Sea
    Posts
    9,276
    Rep Power
    15

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Gus View Post
    Of course ... if Andy gets a monthly slot on MJ fashion that could all change ...
    Unfortunately, MJ fashion changes very little relative to the real fashion world*. My daughters have tops less than a year old that have gone out of date. That's because young people are strongly into the latest fashions. MJ is a much wider cross section of ages with mostly over 25s - us oldies wouldn't stop wearing something that makes us look good

    *Thankfully those trousers with dangly bits are no longer in the shops so we don't see them any more on the dance floor.

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    South
    Posts
    5,424
    Blog Entries
    22
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy McGregor View Post
    us oldies wouldn't stop wearing something that makes us look good.
    Unfortunately, that also applies to things that make you look terrible.

  12. #12
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Sussex by the Sea
    Posts
    9,276
    Rep Power
    15

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Gav View Post
    How about "waiting for 'the subscriber' to pick out anything interesting and post it on the forum".
    How about parting with £14 for a year's subsription? That's just 2 nights dancing - less than 2 nights in some areas! One thing that is slightly odd is that the cover price is £2 and the subscription for 6 editions is £14 (postage free)

    This is a OUR world of dance and this publication could be something that everyone in our world reads.

    I've no financial interest in this magazine and I'm talking from a punters point of view. I defy any active Modern Jiver to not read this magazine if they were handed a copy. If you've been jiving for a few months or more I promise you will read it and you will find the content interesting.

    I also subscribe to Yachts & Yachting. The subscription is £42 a year for 12 editions. There's only a small amout in Y&Y that interests me as it covers a broad spectrum of sailing, most of which is irrelevant to me. Jive Magazine is all relevant as it's all about Modern Jive.

    One interesting thing is that you can get an on-line subscription to Y&Y for half the cost of the hard-copy subscription. I think that could be the way to go for Jive Magazine - however, you'd not be able to read it on the loo.

  13. #13
    Registered User daveb9000's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Posts
    160
    Rep Power
    8

    Re: Jive Magazine

    I've subscribed and am looking forward to the first issue. I'm relatively new to Ceroc (18 months), so there should be plenty for me in the magazine that I don't 'already know'.

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    South
    Posts
    5,424
    Blog Entries
    22
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy McGregor View Post
    How about parting with £14 for a year's subsription? That's just 2 nights dancing
    I think I'd rather go dancing for 2 nights and read the forum.

    Personally:

    1. I don't especially want to know more about "Nigel, Nina, Amir, Catriona, John Brett, etc, etc". In fact, I think I'd be hard-pushed to name 1 person in MJ that I want to read about.
    2. If I want to know something MJ-related, I'll search or post on the forum.
    3. I'm in publishing/information design, so if it's as bad as you say, it'll annoy the cr4p out of me to the point where I'm forced to do something about it and I don't have the time for any more voluntary work.

    I do honestly wish them every success, I'm just saying that I'm probably not atypical when it comes to this, so if they want to be successful, they might need to think of another angle to generate/maintain interest.

  15. #15
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Southampton
    Posts
    6,709
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: Jive Magazine

    I've given up reading photography and computing magazines precisely because I found I was just reading one or two articles and then abandoning them. I would be unlikely to be a good prospect for a jive magazine for that reason.

  16. #16
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    bedford
    Posts
    4,899
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Gus View Post
    Aye ... after you've interviewed the top 10 or 20 'movers and shakers' on the MJ circuit, put a few pictures in ... where do you go then? Most debates are covered off on one of the MJ forums as well as commentary on events. IF you are serious about a magazine you have to have a strong editorial team and/or respected line-up of contributors. Somehow I don't think 'Dr Dance' will quite cut it

    Of course ... if Andy gets a monthly slot on MJ fashion that could all change ...
    If only the MJ scene had an endless procession of hot chix in provocative poses, dirty dealings, heart-warming stories and tragedies and who is shagging who interest, there might be a chance ...

    Quote Originally Posted by StokeBloke View Post
    You seem to have the whole thing sewn up - I look forward to reading your work
    As you already have it is good to know you want more.

    It is a brave or foolish entrepreneur that would launch a new magazine when so many are closing down, and publications from the local rag up to Murdoch's empire are trying to find their way online. I am about half way to my 1,000 hours of study on what works online. As others have posted this forum is on the way there as far as content goes. IMO where Franck, Murdoch et al fail financially is because they are not strident enough in their pay for no adverts policy. If you look at eye-tracking results (Youtube et al) people are skilled in avoiding ads. Spotify has ads you cannot escape that are usually annoying. Some Internet Marketers use hover ads that work twice as effectively as conventional ones. e.g. www.therichjerk.com

    Many Internet Marketers have their articles as videos or MP3's with the option of downloading transcripts as PDF files. e.g. www.glennlivingston.com Glenn is effectively publishing a free online newspaper on a specialist subject advertising his products. This forum does the same, only (Sorry Franck) far less expertly. If you look at what searches bring people to this forum they cover a vast range of subjects, including those unrelated to dance, the things we post about. Those stray visitors do not see ads that sell Ceroc to newbies.

  17. #17
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    South
    Posts
    5,424
    Blog Entries
    22
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by bigdjiver View Post
    If only the MJ scene had an endless procession of hot chix in provocative poses, dirty dealings, heart-warming stories and tragedies and who is shagging who interest, there might be a chance ...
    4 out of 5 isn't bad.

  18. #18
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    290
    Rep Power
    8

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Gus View Post
    Aye ... after you've interviewed the top 10 or 20 'movers and shakers' on the MJ circuit, put a few pictures in ... where do you go then?
    How about potential/rising stars of the future?

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy McGregor View Post
    Thankfully those trousers with dangly bits are no longer in the shops so we don't see them any more on the dance floor.
    I rather liked that style of trouser!

    Quote Originally Posted by Gav View Post
    If I want to know something MJ-related, I'll search or post on the forum.
    What if you don't yet know that you want to know something? A lot of the factual material I read contains information that I wouldn't otherwise have taken an interest in or known about. I believe it's known as unconscious ignorance.

  19. #19
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    South
    Posts
    5,424
    Blog Entries
    22
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Bubble View Post
    What if you don't yet know that you want to know something? A lot of the factual material I read contains information that I wouldn't otherwise have taken an interest in or known about. I believe it's known as unconscious ignorance.
    That'll be the same as when I look at the recent posts link then.

  20. #20
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    290
    Rep Power
    8

    Re: Jive Magazine

    Quote Originally Posted by Gav View Post
    That'll be the same as when I look at the recent posts link then.
    Fair point, although I do think there are important differences between a forum and a publication.

    I must admit, having read Andy Mc Gregors review I'm more than a little curious to see what's in it. Does anyone know what the procedure is for subscribing or buying a copy?

    Quite a few posters seem to be saying it won't work out in the long term or contain anything that they don't already know etc. etc. I'm quite keen to get a copy myself so that I can make my own judgement in that respect.

    I also can't help wondering whether it could become a tool used by independent organisers to counteract the Ceroc desire to dominate/monopolise/standardise the MJ market. Don't ask me how that would work, I'm just speculating!

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Jive Magazine
    By JiveLad in forum Chit Chat
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 20th-October-2009, 01:02 PM
  2. Jive wars
    By jim in forum Chit Chat
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 20th-July-2009, 07:28 PM
  3. The "sizzle" of Modern Jive
    By Andy McGregor in forum Let's talk about dance
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 4th-January-2009, 10:54 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •