Audience Questionnaire

As a part of my research, I asked 20 people within my target audience to fill out an Audience Questionnaire. This is essential in helping me to gain a better understanding of my audience and build up a reader profile. I have detailed the questionnaire below and explained my purpose in asking each question.

1. Do you currently buy any magazines? If so, which ones and why?

This question was asked so I am able to analyse the publications my target audience is interested in and so gain a better understanding of what they are looking for in a magazine.

2. Do you have any hobbies outside school?

By asking this, I can gain further understanding of my audience and any activities they may be involved in, aside from school.

3. How would you categorise your main interests?

Again, this question helps me to gain a generally deeper understanding of my audience's interests.

4. What criticisms have you found of any school or college magazines you may have read in the past?

This question is directly related to my product. Any criticisms made are important as I should ensure these are not criticisms that can be made of my own publication.

5. What are your main concerns regarding sixth form life?

This question is vital as it shows me the most important things I need to cover in my magazine.

6. What feature of a magazine do you value most?

By asking this, I can find out which feature I should focus on.

7. What would you consider an appropriate name for a sixth form magazine at SHSG?

This question was really just to help with my ideas and thought processes. 

Reader Profile

From my research, I have created this mood board featuring images and products I feel are relevant and of interest to my target audience. Readers of the school magazine I create will have a positive outlook on life. Whilst, as a student myself, I am aware that the social aspects school offers are generally the most interesting, readers will maintain an enthusiastic attitude towards school due to their understanding of its importance for their future. This future, being a main feature of the magazine, readers will aim to move on to university and pursue their chosen career. However, the importance of the future aside, readers of my school magazine will be looking to have a good time and live life to the full!

Magazines aimed at my Target Audience

Cosmogirl

Younger sister of Cosmopolitan, Cosmogirl is written by young women to encourage readers to be able to relate to it. The magazine offers advice, encouragement and each issue is filled with information on fashion, beauty, health and fitness and relationships as well as interviews or profiles of young celebrities. Theorectically, the magazine is targeted at 13-17 year old girls but in reality it is only read by the younger sector of this catergory and often girls even younger than this.

Teen Vogue

Teen Vogue is targeted at a similar type of audience as its sister, Vogue, but is created for a younger demographic. Like Cosmogirl, Teen Vogue is targeted at girls aged 13-17. However, from my own research I have found that Teen Vogue is more likely to be read by the older end of their demographic. This may be partly due to its more fashion-based content but also its connections to Vogue, one of the world's most widely respected publications.

Seventeen Magazine

Seventeen magazine is the world's most successful magazine for young women. Its target audience is 12-24 year old girls. This is quite broad, and in fact the magazine is generally more likely to be read by younger girls. Its name 'Seventeen', defines its audience, this age being in the middle of the target age range. In reality, the magazine is mostly read by girls of this age and younger and would not often be read by women in their twenties. However, the magazine often features major celebrities on the cover and this may be key to its great success.