Hey, future Editor-in-Chief! If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own magazine or scouring the internet to learn how to start a magazine, 2025 is the perfect time to do it. Digital publishing is booming, niche media is thriving, and independent magazines (I run two of them!) are carving out space like never before.

I know this firsthand— I’ve built and grown multiple successful magazines, reaching over 13 million views, securing six-figures in revenue, and earning features in top outlets like Forbes, People, and E! Online, to name a few. Now, I teach others how to do the same through The Editor Academy, the most comprehensive course on launching a magazine.

If you’re ready to turn your passion into a publication and learn how to start a magazine, here’s exactly how to do it.

Choose Your Niche and Audience

Before you create a single page, you need to know who you’re creating your magazine for and what makes it unique.

• Pick a niche you love. Your enthusiasm will shine through in your content and keep you motivated.
  
• Check market demand. Research existing publications to see where gaps exist.
  
• Identify your unique angle. What will make your magazine stand out?

When I launched my first digital magazine, I focused on modern parenting with a more style-minded approach. That unique perspective ultimately helped it grow into an internationally-recognized publication and industry leader.

Build a Business Plan for Your Magazine

Think of this as your roadmap to success. Your plan should outline:

• Your magazine’s mission & goals. What do you want it to achieve?
  
• Revenue streams. Will you sell ads, offer subscriptions, or do sponsorships?
  
• Content strategy. What kind of articles, interviews, and features will you include?
  
• Marketing strategy. How will you attract and retain readers?

You don’t need to have everything figured out at once. A simple business plan can evolve as your magazine grows— Mine certainly has!

Focus on Design and Branding

Your magazine’s design is what captures readers’ attention and keeps them engaged. You don’t need a design degree, but you do need a clean, modern layout and a consistent brand identity.

• Use professional design tools. Canva, Adobe InDesign, or other template-based magazine builders can make your publication look polished.
  
• Choose a layout that’s easy to read. Avoid cluttered pages and tiny fonts. White space is good!
  
• Make it mobile-friendly. Remember that most of your readers will browse your magazine on their phones (or tablets!).

Need more help? I cover magazine branding and design inside The Editor Academy!

Build an Online Presence

Even the best magazines need visibility to succeed. Here’s how to get your name out there when you’re on a mission to learn how to start a magazine in 2025:

• Launch a website. Your website will be your home base for new issues, blog posts, and subscriber sign-ups. Showit is my favorite drag & drop website builder! It’s the one I used to build this website you’re looking at right now and I wish I had found it years ago— I will never go back! You can use this code to try a FREE month of Showit.
  
• Grow an email list. A loyal email audience is more valuable than social media followers. I use Flodesk for my email list and in my opinion, it produces the most beautiful emails that are super easy to put together. Again, think drag and drop! Give Flodesk a FREE try here.
  
• Leverage social media. Share behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks, and discussions to start to build your magazine’s community.
  
• Use SEO strategies. Optimized blog content can drive traffic and attract new readers. Always keep SEO in mind when writing your magazine articles.

How to Make Money From Your Magazine

Wondering how magazines actually make money? I did an entire video on my YouTube channel, but here are some proven revenue streams:

• Advertising and sponsorships. Brands will pay to reach your audience through ads or sponsored content. This makes up a good portion of my magazine revenue.
  
• Subscription model. Offer exclusive content for paid subscribers.
  
• Affiliate marketing. Recommend products and earn a commission on sales. This is easy to do with a magazine as you can link products on every page and on your website.
  
• Merchandise and digital products. Sell guides, templates, or merch for your magazine.

The best approach? A mix of multiple revenue streams to maximize your earning potential. I have several income streams that make up my magazine revenue and I share them all here.

Launch and Promote Your Magazine

Here it is— the moment you’ve been waiting for in your journey to learn how to start a magazine in 2025!

• Soft launch first. Share your magazine with a small group for feedback.
  
• Announce your official launch. Use social media, press releases, and influencer collaborations.
  
• Send out email blasts. Hype up your audience before and after launch.
  
• Host a virtual launch event. Q&A sessions, giveaways, or Instagram Lives can drum up excitement.

Your first issue is just the beginning. Consistency is what will turn your magazine into a brand.

Want to Start Your Own Magazine? I’ll Show You Exactly How!

Starting a magazine is exciting, but there’s a learning curve. That’s why I created The Editor Academy, the most comprehensive course on launching, growing, and monetizing a magazine— no publishing experience required.

What You’ll Learn Inside The Editor Academy:

How to choose the right niche, name, and build an engaged readership
The exact design and layout tools I use to make beautiful magazines
Step-by-step monetization strategies to turn your magazine into a profitable business
How to grow your audience using SEO, social media, and email marketing
Insider tips from my own success and so much more!

You don’t need a big team or a publishing degree— just a passion for storytelling and a roadmap to get started. Ready to launch your magazine? Get all the tools, templates, and guidance you need inside The Editor Academy.

Final Thoughts: How to Start a Magazine in 2025

Starting a magazine is more possible than ever in 2025— and you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re launching a passion project or building a media business, I’m here to help you every step of the way.

More Videos on Starting a Magazine:

• How Magazines Make Money
• 5 Things You Need to Start a Magazine
• Start a Magazine in 90 Days (Step-by-Step Plan)