Local community magazine

Local businesses, tradespeople, real estate agents and community groups buying ads, plus some readers through subscriptions or sponsorships.

Ad sales per issue, often with discounts for booking several issues, plus sponsored features, an events listing fee and optional subscriptions.

• Selling ad space
• Writing and editing
• Basic layout or managing a designer
• Building local relationships

• Revenue depends on ad sales, so check you can sell enough before committing to print costs
• Check libel and defamation risks and consider media liability insurance alongside commercial general liability
• Get permission and credit for photos, articles and any artwork you use
• Check how GST/HST applies to your ad sales and when you need to register
• Check whether legal deposit rules apply to your publication
• Check any municipal rules on distributing printed material or placing stands in public places
• Winter and summer slumps can affect advertiser budgets, so plan your issue calendar

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your print run, design help and distribution. Revenue depends on ad sales, so check you can sell enough before committing to print costs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your advertisers, number of issues and any subscriptions or sponsorships. Winter and summer slumps can affect advertiser budgets, so plan your issue calendar.

Check libel and defamation risks and media liability insurance alongside commercial general liability, permission and credit for photos and articles, GST/HST on ad sales, legal deposit rules, and municipal rules on distributing printed material or placing stands.