special report

relate
Pre-view Issue 2006

Readership: teen girls

SUBMISSION SPECIFICS
From their website:

“We use freelance writers in every issue of Relate.” Queries should be submitted via email to the editor. Material is accepted for both the print magazine and the website, but online content does not receive monetary compensation.

Looking through the magazine, I see lots of color and plenty of cheerful wholesome girls. The fashions lean toward the conservative. There is considerable text on the page, making this a more text-heavy/less flashy publication than many teen magazines.

Pay Rates for Print:

Feature Article (around 1,800 words): $350-$700
General Article (around 800 words): $150-$200
DIY Article (around 500 words): $50-$100
Teen Profile (around 800 words): $200-$250
Reviews (around 200 words): $50-$75
Celebrity Interviews (around 1,200 words): $500-$700
Quizzes (around 800 words): $100-$200

ANALYSIS OF SPECIFIC ISSUE

Contents:
relate
Preview Edition 2006

You can also learn a lot about a magazine by who advertises with them, so the ads I see in this issue are Mercy Ministries, Cinderella’s Closet, Clearwater Master’s Commission, The University of Findlay, America’s National Teenager Scholarship Organization, and Shoes for Hope – so mostly ministry and education, rather than heavily beauty and fashion advertisers. In 32 pages (counting inner and outer cover), most pages held content, not ads.

Mood For Thought – (Janene Marcarella) A great play on the ubiquitous “horoscope” feature that seems to be part of every teen magazine. This lets you see what your day might be like based on your mood – clever and fun.

Teen Designer Amanda Martin (Kate Sullivan) Q-and-A style interview (10 questions) with a 14 year old who designs jewelry that incorporates guitar picks in the design (though she has expanded into silver charms, bottle cap featured jewelry, and t-shirts.) The designer donates her profits to charity. The interview is heavily focused on inspiring readers to help others. Includes nice face shot of the teen designer.

Go Junking! (Kathy Dohack). Tips on getting good stuff and thinking creatively while shopping at yard sales and flea markets. Includes scattered photos of cushions, furniture, etc. About 7 paragraphs long.

DIY: Recycle Your T-Shirt [by Julie Grace Wenzel] Ways to keep t-shirts out of the rag bag – hiding holes and stains, turning t-shirts into other things, and making a favorite shirt fit longer. Each “mini how-to” is about a paragraph long with a short sub-title and each has a photo of the product. Photos are definitely “snap shot” quality.

The Skin You’re In – How to Protect Against Harmful Rays [by Tracey Fuller] One-page but very text heavy. No subheadings. Includes quote from “experts.” Does not look like author supplied the photo included.

The Best You [Cheryl Fenton] Three make-up “crises” – getting glasses, starting high school, and school dance – and tips for make up to make the most of each.

Mane Event – Finding the Perfect Hair Cut for Your Face Shape [Cheryl Fenton] Suggests good cuts for oval, heart, square, and round faces. (Also tells which celebrities have those face shapes) Also has a sidebar to help teens decide which face shape they really are. Cute sub-headings and the celeb and sidebar angle make this one of the most “teen mag” looking of the magazine’s contents.

New Music Reviews [Andrea Papadopoulos] Four short (one-paragraph) reviews of “uplifting artists” – music reflects the overall inspirational tone of the magazine. Sound ranges from pop-rock, hardcore rock to mainstream and country.

The Morals of These Stories [Emily Liebert] A look at four young celebrities worth emulating. Give mini-bio, short facts, and quotes from the celeb about life. Lots of text with only small face shots of the celebs.

Working Girl – How to Score the Perfect Summer Job [Stacy Canzonieri] One page, with six sub-headings to break up 7- paragraph content. Includes information about laws applying to child labor, finding the best job match, and saving summer income.

What Should I Wear to My Interview? Classic teen-content with model in outfit, with information on where to purchase each piece of the outfit. Also overall tips like no jeans or shorts, wear closed toed shoes, limit jewelry and make-up – things like that.

Coping With the Summer Before College [Katie Hinderer] Article about the additional family stresses that are normal just before leaving to go to college, and how to survive them with relationships intact.

Biz Whiz: 6 Tips for Entrepreneurial Success [Jena Sims as told to Sarah Corrigam] Successful 17 year old (founder and director of 2 companies) gives tips for success as a young business person.

Abstinence: A Waity Issue [Sarah Corrigan] Article talks about the consequences of teen sex, going beyond just pregnancy and STDs (though including stats on those also) and talks to teens (male and female – including some in relationships) abstaining from sex. Includes sidebar of quotes from guys about how they feel about girls who abstain.

Know Your Worth (Stacy Canzonieri) Article about building self-esteem. Includes sub-headings. Five fairly lengthy paragraphs.

Quiz – Are You A Pushover? (Stacy Canzonieri) Multi-choice quiz on whether a girl can stand her ground without being mean. Ten questions.

Who Needs a Fairy Godmother? (Eileen Guelich) An essay using Cinderella as an example of a girl whose beauty came from the right place. Looking at yourself as who you are inside and building inner character.

Summer Fashion – Fashion looks and how to create them. Includes items found in Target, Kohl’s, Claire’s and similar level stores.

Guys Say: What They Really Find Attractive Quotes from teen guys with photos of the guys.

Ask Relate (Jake Bowman and Margaret Houk) Interesting take – male and female answers to reader problems.

Blushing Beauties Reader embarrassing moments.

This page last updated on 01 February 2007