It’s time again to build another amazing magazine to send out to your members. In this issue, you’ve got some legislative updates, a member profile, a celebratory awards spread and … four blank pages? That can’t be right!
Sometimes, despite all the good that’s happening in your organization, it can be tough to fill up every page of your magazine. Here’s a few options you can try if you’re struggling to find content.
Think big.
Your national association can be a great source of information and content, and it saves you from redoubling efforts. The national branch often already has engaging and timely content for your members. Are there articles they’ve published that can be reprinted? You will just need to be sure you have permission to use these articles.
Cover the news.
Gather up a few industry press releases — you might already have these on hand — and put the most important news for your association in one place. Your membership will appreciate the convenience of one-stop news. You can even add in association-specific stories or create a calendar so they know what important dates to expect before the next issue.
Celebrate the little things.
Maybe you’ve covered the big goings-on for your association, but make sure not to neglect the smaller events in your members’ lives. Local gatherings, work anniversaries, industry friendships — all of these can be celebrated and will make your members feel special.
It might help to send out a call for articles to your membership; let them tell you what’s important in their lives. Your members can be a great resource for photos, too!
Here’s a few more options that Innovative offers to help fill those last stubborn pages.
Use a general interest article.
We can provide evergreen content on a wide range of topics that provide value to members in their association engagement and professional lives. Think at-your-desk exercises, leadership advice, and tackling stress in and out of the workplace. See a topic on our blog that interests you? We can rework it for your audience. We may even offer general interest articles specifically related to your field — let your editor know, and we can brainstorm some options.
Play with design.
Sometimes it’s not the amount of content, but the way it’s presented. Our designers are masters at their craft; they could work with you to create a beautiful layout that fills up your missing pages in a meaningful and visually engaging way. Tip: Be sure to share any high-quality photos you have of members, events, etc. These can go a long way in making a design more personalized for your magazine. Likewise, we can create compelling infographics based on any data you can share. Why not provide demographics for your latest convention with a fun pie chart (or two)?
Advertise for your association.
Whether it’s an ad of your own creation or one we design for you, it’s OK to take up space to let people know more about your association. It could highlight member benefits, your new website, this year’s convention dates — the list goes on and on. Even if you only have a couple of lines of text, we can create something eye-catching.
Most importantly, if you’re struggling to come up with content, talk to your editor! Keeping us in the know makes it much easier for us to work together and make your magazine the best it can be.
Vallen Glover is an editor at Innovative Publishing. She can be reached at vallen@innovativepublishing.com.
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