front cover analytics

The front cover of a magazine acts as a 'hook', which draws in the audience. The magazine should endeavor to attract, maintain, and interest its customers and consumers. The front cover needs to target the specific target audience, which requires magazine competition.

The front cover is the first thing seen and is one of the most important techniques for promoting the magazine because approximately 70% of magazines are bought on impulse and there are 7000 magazines on the market in Britain so the magazine front should have a USP (Unique Selling Point) in attempt to attract its customers.

A USP can be achieved through; the use of glossy images, current celebrities, and vibrant colours, electrifying cover lines, free gifts, competitions and Clashing to grab the audience's attention.

Even though magazines should try to achieve a USP, the editors must still establish brand identity to fulfill the target audience's expectations of familiarity. This requires a predictably consistent layout for the front cover and magazine as a whole.

A front cover consists of

• The masthead, usually at the top of the page, which reflects the tone and mode of address of the magazine.
• An image of some kind, which usually fills most of the page
• And approximately 6 -12 cover lines, summarizing the features, quizzes and competitions inside. The cover lines are displayed in a range of colours and typefaces.