Retro-Renault magazine? An idea perhaps....

Site Subscriber Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 2281

Right, to my knowledge there is no widely-available periodic publication purely for followers of Renaults. This got me thinking about the possibility of starting a mag ourselves, subject to enthusiasm! Here's my thoughts...

We have the raw materials:

I've always enjoyed writing about things I'm interested in

There are many people on here with good Photoshop and graphics handling skills

On the website there are plenty of us with a diverse range of knowledge from technical matters through to opinions on styling

There is also a good range of Renault enthusiasm, whether it be because its a Renault or because of their credibility/merits as cars

We're pretty spread out among the UK so everybody could raise our profile nationally and locally

Why I think it would sell:

Because it would be devoted purely to Renaults

Because it would be the only Renault mag, therefore there would be no competition as such

Because we have the knowledge and enthusiasm to put together something like a monthly mag

Because we are a diverse bunch with projects which people would be interested in reading (assuming our audience is as enthusiastic and interested as we are!)

What it would do:

Raise the profile of the site

Raise the profile of Retro Renaults generally

Give a great deal of satisfaction to those involved (it would me, anyway)

Get people into Retro Renaults

What we would get out of it:

The chance to meet/see/find about other Renault enthusiasts and their cars

The chance to get out to a range of shows/meets/events

A tremendous sense of personal satisfaction and achievement!

Well those are just my thoughts anyway. Just thought I'd throw a few feelers and see what the consensus opinion is.

As usual with all my ideas, it probably sounds mad but that's the way I am, and I ain't ashamed of thinking of/proposing it!

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

we are lacking 1 thing money and lots of it.

Site Subscriber Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 350

first few editions can be printed on lined paper or plain A4 held together with a staple until we get enough cash to release glossy versions Laughing

good idea though, Ben Wink

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 395

Think it's a great idea.

It would be a lot of work though.

Like william say's, it will need to start it's life in the form of a newsletter sort of thing.
But it's got all the ingredients to be successfull as long as you have the skills who are willing to put the work in.

Oh yeah, and the money.

Just have to wait and see the responses you get to this post.

Site Subscriber Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 4722

im a little bit confused as to what you want to do exactually

you on about selling it in the shops?

along side the retro cars, fast ford etc etc mags?

or just for us lot?

:-/

Site Subscriber Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 2281

Yeah the shops would be the ultimate goal!

But I wrote a few newsletter/mag type publications at school, had a lot of fun doing it as well.

The only reason I thought of it was because there's Fast Ford, Performance Vauxhall, Performance VW, etc. But nothing devoted to Renaults.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

pgti

Site Subscriber Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 2281

Yeah but PGTi isn't Renault only though is it?

FCS Event Manager Joined: 04 Jan 2005 Posts: 3680

what u gonna call it ? Rapid Renault ? hehe

dont RSC do some kind of magazine/newsletter thing ?

Site Subscriber Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 4722

i do hope every one relises the costs in making/printing 100's of mags

not something you can do over night.

Site Subscriber Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 350

i wonder if we could get backing off of Renault HQ for this venture Wink

Level 10 User Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 621

Some kind of sponsorship from Renault seems like a good and feasible idea. I also think it's a good idea but should be aimed at all renault owners not just hi-spec (valvers) we'd be more likely to get sponsorship from Renault then. And, we'd need to do some kind of survey to make sure that we could sell it preferably nationwide.

Site Subscriber Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 350

good points by lindsey

if someone is/can get friendly with a renault dealer, perhaps you could persuade that dealership to let you 'borrow' a car to do a road test with it Wink

beacause as it stands i doubt between us all we could cover all the renaults old, current and new...

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

Sorry to sound negative but Renault will never give you sponsorship for it, youre kidding yourselves!

Site Subscriber Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 1141

<--- Sales and Marketing Guru Wink

You underestimate the time and cost implications of creating a paper based magazine. You could never hope for the magazine to be profitable, getting it to break even would be very hard advertisers wouldn't want to get involved without a proven customer base. And then theres the data protection act when it comes to subscriptions - NIGHTMARE!

Your appealing to a *VERY* niche market and theres only going to be a very select few that will buy the magazine long term and become loyal, the majority of car owners switch manufactures often and would not be commited to a subscription. You'd more then likely be left over with a surplus you couldn't sell.

Personally I think there is fast becoming a demand to expant Retro Renault into a more mature, technical and factual version of RSC.

With a good news and archive based front end the site could hold loads of technical articals, reviews, buyers guides, how too's and similar - much easier and more accessable then a paper based magazine.

It could be promited via link exhanages, car based banners, maybe a small "taster" flyer promoting the site and regular e-mails to subscribers reminding them about the site.

The best that we can hope for that if we build up the site to a respectable level then the advertising revenue alone will help cover its cost making it a free community for everyone.

Retroholic Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 5685

Again, i'm gonna be negative

1. No money

2. Time

3. Tiny target audience

4. The website offers much more than a mag ever could and is free

5. I can neither write nor draw

Site Subscriber Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 2281

Fair points I suppose, although it does make me wonder how manufacturer-specific publications, i.e. Fast Ford got established and maintain an audience as well as being profitable.

Mr Quoter-vator Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 7405

well ford is one of the biggest manufacturers with countless modifying and tuning and owners clubs....its just hugely established and any advertisers knows it is a safe bet.

it just isnt the same with renault,

Site Subscriber Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 569

Why don't you make it an online newsletter. Like a monthly e-mail as .pdf or something?

Site Subscriber Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 1575

Wicked Neo wrote:

what u gonna call it ? Rapid Renault ? hehe

dont RSC do some kind of magazine/newsletter thing ?

yep but I only got 2 in a year Rolling Eyes

the renault owners club do a 1/4ly mag which is pretty good. it might be an idea to try and tie in with them, only an idea but they have a tie in with renault uk so they may be interested. but would people here be interested in being associated with club Question

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

If the renault owners club have an official tie in with renault UK, then any affiliation with that club can only be a good thing for Retro-Renault, IMO...