Gavin Roebuck (p7) gives some good pointers as to what editors and journalists need from press agents and publicists, and it?s true: good PR is an important part of making a magazine work. But perhaps the most crucial component of what makes an article idea worth submitting, let alone worth researching and writing, is its value to the reader.
No doubt Gavin would agree that a successful magazine, particularly one which seeks to serve a professional market, needs to be based, at least in part, on a dialogue with its readers. The arts is not a homogeneous sector that speaks with one voice. It is peopled by a range of individuals with a variety of specialisms, diverse views and a cross-section of concerns. ArtsProfessional has always tried to stay close to its readers by being written for and by and with those working at all levels in the arts. By sharing the insights of those at the coal-face of arts management and development, we hope to stimulate helpful debate and encourage the diffusion of good practice. We aim to reflect a range of outlooks and to cover as many themes as we can in our news, features and professional columns, and good press officers and PR agents make this possible. Our job is to filter through the contributions and identify those that our readers will find most useful and interesting. This relies on ongoing communication with readers ? and the opportunity for you to have your say has just become much easier. We?ve placed an online survey on our website (http://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/readersurvey/redirect.html), so that you can tell us about what we do well ? and what we don?t. Get in touch and help ensure that the magazine that aims to help you in your work actually does.
Liz Hill and Brian Whitehead, Co-editors