ALTERNATIVE REVENUE STREAMS: How Are You Going To Raise Money?

[George Miller]

For my photo magazine that I told you guys about, I'm going to do a 48 hour photo shootout/ contest (photographers will be assigned themes to document ... a panel will decide winners). It will be a $10 entry fee, with donated prizes and an after-party at the local journalists club. The images created will be for sale there, with half the proceeds going toward the photo mag (and the other half going to the photog). During the after-party, we'll pass the hat around and ask for donations.

That's three alternative revenue streams right there.

What kind of ideas do you have?

[Guido Martelli]

My snow/skate culture magazine (possibly named FSBS, but I can't tell if it's too corny) I have a few similar alternative revenue streams. I will have an annual skate contest in the summer and a snowboarding contest in the winter. (TU Snowboarding Club is really having one on Dec 3 at the Bell Tower) It will cost me less than $500 to put on and draw the exact demographic, good press, and help the scene in Philly grow. There will be a $30 entrance fee, which covers your insurance and guarantees you a prize, and a chance at a cash prize. Vendors at the Contests will pay a simple fee of $200 to cover costs, and the after-party (21+) will have a cover of $25 but include membership to the magazine/member-only online editorial content. Raffles at the events will include outerwear, snowboards, skateboards, gift cards, etc all donated by my partners/advertisers.

[Guido Martelli]

Another one is Video Premieres. 100's of high-production snow/skate videos are produced a year, most going with HD of recent, with Hollywood budgets. I have had some pretty successful videos through TUSC, and I believe I can pull some dough with these. Partner with the sponsors of the videos (most companies have a team video and do a tour) have a weekly or bi-weekly screening in the fall at a local theater/bar/warehouse/whatever(maybe FSBS's HQ) and have it $1 entrance fee with some serious drink specials, super affordable raffles & call it Flick Fridays (our current name in TUSC).

Snowboarding doesnt get going in the Northeast until late December, and this will get the community hyped on the upcoming season and get our name out there. Board shops would love to partner with someone who will do all the leg work and have some sweet events in the city.

[Bonnie Dugan]

For my alternative revenue streams I was thinking about having a tournament. I've been to many benefits in the North/Northeast that are geared towards raising money for scholarship funds and such. The tournaments have always been a huge turnout. I figured it's relevant for the younger generation because a majority of teenagers, male and female, are athletic and those that don't play sports usually go to sporting events to be social. The tournament will consist of different sports including softball, soccer, basketball, baseball and football (two touch.) It will either be a weekend event or an all day event depending on how many teams I can get. I could definetely get in touch with the different high schools around Philly, Catholic and Public, since many of them are clost knit. Each player donates 10 dollars which includes a t shirt. There could be snack stands or a barbeque that will serve food and drinks, that will be donated by the people of the community. During the tournament, there could be raffles sponsored by community businesses giving away prizes ranging from free bowling to movie tickets, etc.


This probably could be a terrible mess but honestly I've been to plenty of tournaments and they were able to raise a ton of money. Plus they're fun because you see so many people you know and get to play sports without the negative competition, well hopefully.

[Brandi]

My idea is a magazine targeted toward the diverse business woman. I would hold a social/conference for them in Philadelphia (with hopes of expanding). During the conference, influential business women would speak about various topics regarding their success. This would give both, them and I, a chance to create contacts within the field, and tickets would be reserved at $25 per person.

The tickets would come with an offer to set up a booth somewhere within the conference and advertise your business or sale your product. The fee for having a booth at the conference will be an additional $20.

Lastly, raffle tickets will be sold for the duration of the conference at $3 per ticket, and the winner will receive free ad-space for their company in an issue of our magazine as well as a year-long subscription.

[Sandra Friedman]

A) Offer Product as a Free Insert for Newspapers:
This would involve contracts of having to do it for a certain amount of time in order not to just offer it long enough to use the name, and then branch off. It would be a supplement to the existing paper, and allow the product to get attached to a brand name.




B) Attempt for Funding From Venues
A music magazine would want the support of local venues anyway. There is the rare possibility of finding enough funding from just those altogether. This is an extreme option with no guarantee of consistent funding.






C) Win the Lottery



D) Attempt to get School Funding-organizations such as IEI, grants from schools, etc.

[John Cassidy]

1) Donations.

2) Printable coupons to stores using those stupid type-in-able codes this would essentially be advertising and a reason to shop at that individual store.

3) Stealing.

[dennis]

thats how cassidy looks on the basketball court....

[Denise Dantzler]

I am all about using OPM, actually I think it is the best idea one could come up with. In order to raise money to open my magazine, I would have to throw a huge party. I have a few friends who throw parties on a regular basis. I could ask them to display my logo all over the party area and have the DJ mention it a couple 100 times lol. And I give out a passcode for reduced admission...(the name of my mag) all the people who come under that passcode, i get the money for it.

I am all into peer pressure...why? Because it works. About two weeks before the party I would go to school, have insider information to see who the movers and shakers on campus are. The people everyone is looking up to. I am all about grass roots marketing so I would have these cute lil ts for the girls with my publications name on it, and some stylish ts for the boys. I will throw some of those shirts to the popular people and have them rocking it around campus. Everyone else will feel left and will want to be a part of it.

SO...at the party I will be selling the T-shirts. YEAH...selling like hot cakes.

2. Donations, DONATIONS-from companies that want to help us...hey i still believe in good people.

[Greg Trainor]

I know exactly how raise money for the future of journalism, but I'm not telling...