Getting into Holiday Gift Guides

2012/07/26 6:00 AM

The big question seems to be – How do you know what they are working on? Editors usually work on a calendar schedule and know what is coming up at least a few months in advance. If you can get up the courage, try to get them (or their assistant) on the phone or via email, then you can ask what they are working on. They should be willing to tell you as they need story material and always want something new.

You can find media calendars on the websites for each publisher – here are a few links to help you get started:

http://www.condenast.com/brands Select magazine and media kit – most have editorial calendars.

http://www.hearst.com/magazines/index.php – select magazine on left and then select media kit. You cannot get it for Oprah. Some have editorial calendars and others you have to look at the advertising calendar.

http://www.timeinc.com/clients/findmediakits.php most have editorial calendars.

Remember – print magazines work very far in advance. They may start working on the holiday gift guides as early as July – or at least gathering items to show to their boss. Final decisions are usually made later on and some space is usually reserved for last minute HOT items that they want to add in.

So what are you waiting for? Jump on it now and see what you can make happen!