Interest: Canadian National Airsoft Magazine
 

I am posting this up to ask the community for it interest or lack of interest in having our own National Airsoft Magazine.

I have thought of doing this since before I started Milsim Supply, and I have have alot on my plate with this, but creating a magazine for the comuninty has always peaked my interest.

I am fully prepared to start on this project and have a few writers lined up.

What I need to know is would this be of interest to you?

Are there people out there that would like to write for the magazine?

Any Photog's that want to have their pictures published?

Please, post your comments up. Lets try to keep the flaming down to the minimum, I believe my reputation can speak for itself.

Thanks,
Greg

Ezine or print?

ya, for sure interested

I'd say yea if it's in printed form. I hate online magazines.

Oh yeah I would be totally interested in reading and supporting.

voted 'Yes', if its printed that would be much better.

It would be started online based and provided interest possible print form at a later date.

Been talking with my partner, a printed version MAY be in the works, cost premitting.

On a seperate note, if a printed version was released, how much would you be willing to pay for a printed copy?

$10 max, cheaper by subscription

id buy one if the prices were fair. no more than $10

If printed, I'd pay $10-$15...I don't like reading online magazines.

im in Chef you need a writer for a 2nd year in the game im down like a clown

$10-$15 would be good

I agree and would love to see this magazine in print. I'll take a years subscription ;)

After spending most of the night talking with my partner. We have agreed for the time being, it will start online only. If the interest is there, and we are able to cover our costs, we will put out a printed copy.

My next quetion based on the poll so far is: What kind of article would you like to see?

Anything that comes from reliable sources. I'd be pised if I was reading something written by some kind of half-wit that barely knows what he's talking about. It might be blunt but that's just how I am, if you can't confirm.... don't write it.

As far as the actual content I say keep it simple like mosto ther magazines already have. This would mean reviews about guns, gear and parts, game reports, new player tips for gear setup and similar thing.

That sounds pretty good, but also news on upcoming releases, if possible. This sounds like a great idea; I do believe there are paintball magazines (Which don't help with much...) so why not have a magazine for Canadian airsofters BY Canadian airsofters?

im thinking a similiar layout to AIM but for canada with contributors snapping pics and writing stories about events all over the country

I'd pay 10-15 for a mag. I actually don't care if it's print of ezine. If it's stuffed with advertising I would be not happy. Unless all the ads had lots of naked ladies on them...

I voted "Depends". However, I would more than likely wait out a couple of issues and get other peoples' opinions on whether it was worthwhile or not. If it was good, then I'd more than likely subscribe.

I'm all in favour of anything to do with furthering airsoft in Canada. The bigger we can make this, the better! (Bigger community, larger representation through voting, should it ever have to come to that)

However, it'd be nice to see a physical, printed magazine. Don't know if there's enough going on for that, but I'm sure some creative editing can make it a monthly thing.

I'd be in favor of it. I mean I'd pay about $10-$15 easy and highly likely subscribe provided I enjoyed reading it.
As for content what was said above really, tips, reviews, post-game bits, hell even a write in section for airsofters to write in tips of their own or ask questions. Maybe even a feature on how to build a good kit on a budget.
I'd happily provide pictures I take and such if permited

I'd love to see a Canadian Airsoft magazine!

I would like to contribute as well. Please contact me by pm. I am very interested in helping out.

I think it would be an excellent idea! I am new to this, so other than what my friend tells me, though he sure knows a lot, i kinda have no clue about what i am doing, or gonna buy other than what i am told!! So a magazine that would inform me a bit on how to equip myself and all, like some terms and specs, would be excellent!!! But the most important, is that, like one said, u gotta keep it real and have some real airsoft crazy guy collaborating so that its not just crap or what someone heard through the grape vines(kinda like me, lol)!! A small rookie section and the rest, for all the experienced players would be awesome!! And yes, i'd rather hold it in my hands than read it on the computer!!!

Great idea. How about a DIY section for building your own gear. I know there are websites out there that do that, but it would add something to the mag as well.

No dice if it's an online magazine, simple as that. I have ASC for such things. Printed - i'd purchase copies for sure.

A canadian made magazine for airsoft sold in canadian stores would increase the publicity and social understanding and acceptance of airsoft

i'd purchase many

Keep the votes coming, more ideas about what kind of articles you'd like to see would be nice too.

- Greg

reviews of guns
reviews of other misc airsoft stuff
articles
more articles
pictures
maybe half naked girls too!

Definitely in game photos.
Articles on mods, maybe a mechbox dummies instruction guide.
Instructions on how to do a good, basic paintjob and what paint/finisher to use.
Section for private gear/accessory retailers from the asc forums (eg. Huang's monthly inventory update or something)
Reviews on retailers/list of reputable surplus stores from each province (big list I know but these are ideas)
And if it's online maybe links to in game videos.

Maybe a write up on how the community has worked on regulating it and the pros as opposed to the cons that the media loves so much.

Sorry if I reposted some ideas, I didn't read through the whole thread

Could also add reviews of the best sites, exterior or interior. If you get someone like Thatotherguy to do it, why not a comic strip ?

Exactly what I was thinking. If we increase publicity and the number of players who play this sport... perhaps in time we can also hope for some changes with the Canadian customs perhaps? ....

... I know it's a long shot but it's worth a try.

I would be interested in the stories of Canadian airsoft events, but I would also be interested in news from the airsoft world about new products/upgrades either from Japan, Hong Kong or wherever.

If this magazine pinpointed some problematic areas of certain rifles/pistols, and offered helpful solutions for them - complete with photos and diagrams, it'd also be a great benefit to the airsoft community. There are a lot of seasoned Airsofters out there who regularly tweak their own weapons, however it would for the purpose of increasing our playerbase also be helpful to discuss some of the more common "newbie" problems with our specific model rifles.

Should this magazine also offer some good concrete reviews with quantifiable data, regarding say.. fps, or whatever, this magazine could become quite a bit more official and recognised too I think. ( As opposed to just offering opinions, discussions and general chit-chat that we would otherwise find in any airsoft forum)


Ah yes..in the magazine, post the airsoft Canada website in the book (as I think ASC is a must for most airsofters), but also include in bold red letters for newcomers to read the age verification threads and other pertinent beginner threads :) Perhaps then we'd get less of those "I'm knew, watz a best uberz wpns 4 me?" threads :)

... or ... as is typical with life, we might draw even more of those people after doing that.

Like what the others said...plus

Big airsoft events from other countries.
Tips and Tricks for gunsmithing and modding.

I'd pay $15 max. I would subscribe. I would also pay to advertise my business. I would also send products for reviews and testing.

It is a great idea, please go through with it.

Jeff

i agree with the $10 max fee and discount for subscribers. I would only subscibe if it were printed instead of the online version. Other than that I would be happy to support the project and would help any way I could!!:D

Like most people said already. I'll do $10 per issue max, printed only, and cheaper per year subcription.

I'd love to see articles to help organizers of games and scenarios. Q&A and such...you could also do interviews with airsofters across the country and feature teams and such. Get that personal touch into it, y'know?

ideas for the articles in these magazines?

how about some skirmish and milsim tactics, techniques, survival tips, team work (not individual heroic Arnold- or Rainbow-like actions)...in terms of airsoft of course...etc

hahahahaha...

the last line will definitely catch a lot of attention...

i vote that every issue comes with a couple good "chinglish" manual exerpts on one page. those are always good for a laugh

edit: i could do a journal entry type article from my experiences in building my airsoft field.

july 5 2008 4:00pm
just finished flaging more of the outer perimeter. now i wreak of BO, muskol, and swamp goo. even with the muskol i was eaten alive. fucking mossies. anywho. now i get to sit on my ass with a beer and remember the awesome looks i got from those two fuckers i caught tresspassing as i stormed out of the bush with a hydrapack and a can of spray paint yelling at the top of my lungs "GERONIMO!" then i told them to leave or i would charge them :)

I've already begun planning out a Canadian airsoft magazine, in the same vein as Airsoft International.

Full colour, glossy, printed. It takes time as you need to address the four big components: advertising + distribution + editorial + design. Depending on paper costs and type of paper, number of pages and printer, a 40 page magazine can cost anywhere from $7000 to $10,000 to print, not to mention the costs of paying your content providers. Then there's distribution and legal concerns. If you go through a distribution house, you can get the magazine in most major retailers across Canada (depending on your budget). You can go subscription only... but then you need a proper subscription management database.

My plan, is to slowly evolve the publication from a modest size, with quality content into something truly grand... but it is a battle every step of the way. My publication will most likely be titled "Harms Way" to fall under the banner organization. No firm timeline to release yet.

As for content... well, there's just got to be a page 3 girl!

I'd be interested and could definitely do some writing for it.

Post removed out of respect.

Seriously bro, you dont need to be flooding MY thread with your magazine. If you wish to start your own thread then by all means do so, but this thread isnt about yours now is it.

Incredible idea, you will need to have a french section if you want to sell it in quebec and i will for sure retail the magazines in my store. I could also help along with some people from the french community here to develop a french part of the magazine and we could ship copies to france and other french-speaking countries that have emerging airsoft markets and that can look up to us :)

I'd support a Canadian-made Airsoft Magazine any day. I think the idea is a solid one, albeit one with more than a few rather lagre hurdles to overcome.

How do you plan on paying for, if does indeed go to the much prefered printed copies rather than online, the printing and distribution of the magazine? That being said I'd be willing to pay ~$15.00 on a monthly or bi-monthly issue, subscription or not. It might be best to start out with an online version and gauge people's opinion based on that. If all goes well and there's a promise of steady income or revenue to go towards the publication and distribution of this magazine then sure, go for the printed version. If people seem to not like the idea or don't want to support a printed version, maybe rethink your editing and layout of the magazine and keep it online.

In any good magazine I've noticed they have interviews, small or large ones with significant people in the community they're basing the magazine on. It might be helpful to have a highlight section in each copy highlighting a retailer, team, field, gun, game, or gun parts and accessories (or one thing/ person from each section?).

Pictures are a must, in color or not. If the pages are full of typing and letters people are more likely to just skim over whatever it says and not pick it up again. Maybe get people to send you pictures of events (with credit given and with the people shown in the picture(s) consent of course), just to show people what's going on in such-and-such a region of Canada or to highlight a special event.

It'd also be nice to have a section that points out common problems or concerns with some of the best or most used/ purchased equipment or guns. Have a way for people to send in their problems and have them answered, then if it seems like it's a common issue post it in the magazine.

A section in the magazine regarding new and upcoming products from both overseas and here in Canada would be very much appreciated too. With that being said, it might also be a good idea to include a review of photo of the new product. People will buy the magazine if they know that there will be some solid information in it regarding something they enjoy or are looking forward to hearing about.

I'm aware that some, if nto most, of these suggestions have been brought up already, but these are just my opinions. Best of luck with this, I'm looking forward to it.