by Sue Hodgson –
Working as the publisher and owner of a local magazine allows me the opportunity to be an integral part of the community. The coverage of many other publications is too large or too spread out to maintain kinship like Seaside Magazine does. Being hyperlocal is an amazing way to couple a magazine’s content with its readers. In a world of infinite choices and fierce competition, being remarkable at what you do becomes extremely important.
Seaside Magazine is celebrating over 15 years on the Saanich Peninsula, and we are so excited about what the next 10 to 20 years will look like! The publishing business has dramatically changed in the last decade and most recently the price of paper has tripled in less than a year, stemming from supply and demand and yes, the war in Ukraine. Print media continues to have stiff competition from new, digital counterparts and advertising budgets are being spread over many platforms. But, on a local level, Seaside Magazine continues to be a great traditional-publishing success story.
With a monthly circulation of 19,000, it is bucking the trend and seeing continued support and success across the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands. Seaside is not just about publishing a magazine; it’s about telling stories. We think of ourselves as “Your Saanich Peninsula Voice” and take care every month to reflect the diversity of people living in our community and the range of events and activities happening here. Feedback from our readers assures us that we are keeping them entertained and informed. Often taking our ideas from suggestions sent from those within the community, we feel that our people-focused approach to journalism is in keeping with the audience on the Peninsula.
Combining this community aspect with topical and timely stories, Seaside fulfils a dual purpose: for readers we are news and entertainment, and for business we are a vital advertising platform.
As I have said many times, Seaside Magazine is a Purple Cow: never boring, never invisible, and always worth talking about!’
Seaside Sue
Photo by Janis Jean Photography. Clothing provided and styled by Butik Naturals. For more, visit #103 – 2506 Beacon Avenue in Sidney
