Do you want your car featured in a magazine but you don’t know how to go about it? Well, read on to learn the secrets that only a few seem to know. It’s time for you to get on your way to that great cover shot!
The topic of how to get a car magazine feature (or any feature for that matter) is one that always seems to float around. There seems to be this fog around the subject that some people can see through while others cannot. And the worst part, people who are not involved in the industry create many stigmas related to this topic. These people throw out things such as the magazines publishers just pick their friends, and friends of friends. Or better yet, magazine publishers feature the cars who pay up cash through advertising in their magazine even if their car isn’t the greatest. And while these sigmas are actually TRUE and FACTUAL, don’t let this discourage you from steeping the game up and representing the little guys…the people who actually make this industry what it is–the consumer. The truth is, sometimes people just don’t want to share how magazine features are obtains because they feel its “proprietary” information. Well, it’s time to let the cat out of the bag.
So what do you need to do to get your magazine feature? Well, there are a few major topics involved which have their own sub points. Let me break it down in an outline format:
Your Personality
- Patient
- Open minded
- Creative
- Knowledgeable
Unique Vehicle
- Simplicity
- Knowing when to say “no”
- No knockoffs
- Tasteful
- Trend setter vs. trend follower
Networking
- Creating authority
- Making industry contacts
- Meeting event promoters
- Getting your vehicle into company booths
Getting the Feature
- Asking for referrals
- Contacting your sponsors
- Being persistent without being annoying
- Contacting the magazines directly
So that sums up the big topics that I will be covering. Over the following next days and weeks, I will expand on each of the major topics listed above and divulge into their sub points. Be sure to check back often for the next segment of this mini series where I will discuss in depth on how to mentally prepare yourself to get into the game!
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8 responses so far ↓
1 PANCAKES! // Feb 25, 2008 at 7:32 pm
It’s definatly who you know and not what you have or know!
That goes for carshows and anything you do in life! Trust me I’ve seen it and lived it time and time again! Nice article! LOL!
2 Emerald // Feb 25, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Build a unique car and the right people will find you….
3 KickEachVerse // Feb 25, 2008 at 8:20 pm
^^ not always true. if don’t know anyone, how do u expect anyone to find you?
4 Prashant // Feb 25, 2008 at 9:09 pm
It’s not who you know, but who knows you.
You can have a contact list full of everyone’s phone number but that doesn’t mean anything if no one knows who you are.
5 Peshi // Feb 25, 2008 at 9:35 pm
^^this is the truest. we have gotten a few cars featured and are lucky enough to have kept in touch with photographers/writers and editors. thankfully we have been able to keep on good terms and hope to be able to bring more features and represent texas to the fullest. but its not only who you know and who knows you, its also what you have. you wont see very many CL type cars features, high offset, not very low, with generic lip kits being featured. if you want to be featured, you have to be able to sell yourself, plain and simple.
6 RaCinStylez // Feb 26, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Id like to see how in depth you get on each subject.
The bottom line - Its all about who you know!
7 Jakquain Noknockoffs // Feb 27, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Yup it’s all about who know know. Or if you’re a girl building cars, you’re bound to get attention because of your assets. Not because of the car you build or what you do. But you can’t hate, you got it, flaunt it. Even though you can’t really drive. Who cares? Editors just want some ass.
8 Henry // Feb 28, 2008 at 5:28 am
I guess I lucked out on my experience. I just posted some updated pics of my s13 on Zilvia and the magazine chief editor (who visits the site) PM’d me offering me a feature spot. The ironic thing was, I was ready to try and get in touch with the magazine myself, so I guess timing worked out well. On the other hand, I wasn’t slated for cover from the get go, so I had to do my share of convincing and hope for the best.
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