How to Start Research Journal or Magazine in India

People have been constantly asking me how did I manage to take Ashvamegh to this height. They often question me about the magazines and how to get them in terms of the readers. Some other, who have been running a magazine for years, often discuss registering their magazines. Well, after so many of them asking me, I have thought to write this article. I will try me best to encircle every possible issue related – from beginning your magazine to getting it registered to attracting your target readers.

How to start a journal or magazine in India (or anywhere else)?

Well, just be an innocent realistic for a while; ask yourself – how do you start something? The answer will be – just start. Isn’t it? Just start something and you will have yourself started. Same is the case with a journal or a magazine. Once you think of starting it, there is nothing which can hold you back. Be careful when you choose a name for your magazine. Be creative; be wise as well. For academic journals, you should consider to include journal in your name if you are thinking to start it online too (or if only online). Here is a simple checklist before you jump:
Think of a good name first
Get yourself good editors
Talk to some of the contributors before you start (so that your first issue has enough submissions)

How to register a magazine in India (or anywhere else)?

If your magazine or the journal is not going to be something like Penguin-Random House, you can simply get an ISSN number and you are done! Getting an ISSN number is free of cost as well as an easy process. You just need to comply with their basic conditions and you will get your magazine registered by getting an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN). Do remember, to get a research journal registered, you will need at least five quality research paper published in the issue.

How to attract readers?

This question is very important. Once you start a magazine or journal, you will surely want people to read it, won’t you? If it is a print version, you must enhance your contact circle. You can send free samples to the library of nearby colleges or universities. You can also organize giveaways for your magazine in a school or college (depending upon your target readers). You can think of giving an advertisement in the local newspaper. The major motive should be to get the sights of people who matter.

If you are running an online version magazine, things become a little easier than the promoting the print one. First of all, you must make use of the social media platform. Ashvamegh, the magazine I established, is also making use of social media very well. You should register your magazine on facebook, twitter, LinkedIn and other places. There, you can easily interact with the target readers. On the technical side, make your journal of magazine website user-friendly so that the readers can navigate easily. Make the submission process simple and quick. You can also think of hosting some competitions time to time and promote those on social media and other related websites. Competitions are a quick and easy way to garner readership!