Magazine Publisher vs. Editor: What Are the Differences?

A career in publishing can be both exciting and rewarding. If you’re interested in this field, you may be wondering whether you should become a magazine publisher or editor. Both of these positions have their own unique set of responsibilities and qualifications. In this article, we compare and contrast these two publishing jobs to help you make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

What is a Magazine Publisher?

Magazine Publishers are the executives in charge of all aspects of a magazine’s publication, from its content to its marketing and distribution. They work with the editorial team to come up with the overall vision for each issue and make sure that the magazine’s content is high-quality and engaging. They also work with the business team to set advertising rates and secure sponsorships. Magazine Publishers are responsible for ensuring that the magazine is profitable and meets its financial goals. They also work to grow the magazine’s readership by developing marketing and distribution strategies.

What is an Editor?

Editors are responsible for the content that is published in magazines, newspapers, books, websites and other publications. They work with writers and other content creators to ensure that the finished product is accurate, clear and error-free. Editors also work with designers to layout pages in an aesthetically pleasing way. In some cases, Editors may be responsible for coming up with content ideas and assigning them to writers. They may also be responsible for fact-checking articles and ensuring that all sources are properly cited.

Magazine Publisher vs. Editor

Here are the main differences between a magazine publisher and an editor.

Job Duties

The job duties of magazine publishers and editors can differ based on the size of the publication and their specific responsibilities. For example, a small magazine publisher may handle all aspects of running the business, like advertising, marketing and budgeting. Larger publishers may have more specialized employees who handle these tasks. An editor’s job duties often depend on their role at the magazine. A copy editor may review grammar and spelling, while an editorial director may oversee the direction of the publication, including its theme and content.

Job Requirements

Magazine editors typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in journalism, English or another related field. Some employers prefer candidates to have a master’s degree as well, but it is not required for entry-level positions. Additionally, many magazine editors pursue certifications through the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). These programs offer training on topics like editing, writing and publishing.

Work Environment

Magazine publishers work in a variety of environments, depending on the type of magazine they’re working for. For example, if you work as a publisher for a fashion magazine, you might spend your days at photo shoots and runway shows to capture images that can be used in future issues. If you work for a sports magazine, you might travel with teams or athletes to attend games and events.

Editors typically work in an office environment, but some may also visit locations where their magazines are being produced. For example, if you work as an editor for a travel magazine, you might go on location to take pictures of destinations for use in upcoming issues.

Skills

Both magazine publishers and editors need to have excellent communication skills. This is important because they need to be able to communicate with their team, other departments in the company and outside vendors. They also both need to have strong writing skills as they will be reading and editing copy for the magazine.

Magazine publishers also need to have good organizational skills as they will be responsible for managing the budget, timeline and overall production of the magazine. They also need to be able to delegate tasks to their team and make sure that everyone is on track to meet deadlines. Editors also need to be organized so that they can keep track of all the different pieces that need to go into each issue of the magazine. However, they also need to be able to be flexible as they may need to make last-minute changes to the content.

Salary

Magazine publishers earn an average salary of $81,618 per year, while editors earn an average salary of $67,545 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the employee has.