Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you and what is your background?
My name is Ben Mervis, I’m the founder and editor of Fare Magazine. My background is actually in academia, history, but I fell into the world of food and decided to combine my passions for it with my other loves.
In what city?
I’m based in Glasgow, Scotland. I love this city and its charms and, character, honesty, and personable spirit.
Can you tell about us, about your magazine?
I wanted to create an experience that was special to print, a reading experience that channeled the essence of visiting a place. Picking up local color, styles, voices, histories, and so forth. Things that are hard to find in a top 10 or a recommendations list.
Editorial…
I look for personal, honest, research-driven pieces that dive deep and stay real. I try and build some narrative arcs across the magazine too, but often that falls into place at the end.
Print: Why choose print? What kind of paper you use and why? Typography?
That’s probably a good question for my art director! But print because this is a product and an opportunity to learn but also something to hold, to get physically enraptured in.
How’s the public response?
Very good so far, thankfully!
Business: Good print mags get a lot of love, but is not always translated to sales or advertising. How’re the sales? Advertising-wise, is it a normal approach of selling an ad page or more a brand ad approach?
The sales are good, but yes, it’s not realistic to make money on magazines.
What is your online strategy?
Ha! I wish we had time to craft a specific one. We pull something together at the end of the day based on what is available to us time-wise, unfortunately.
What inspires you and motivates you to go to work every day?
Well, my day job is something else, but I happen to love that as well. Most of what I do relates to food and food writing.
What were your biggest challenges as an entrepreneur?
Staying afloat!
What advice would you give someone who wants to start a magazine?
Look at your personal situation and don’t try to just follow someone else’s advice blindly. It doesn’t come in one size!
Upcoming projects
Just continuing to develop the magazine and seeing where other opportunities take me!
faremag.com | faremag.com/subscribe | twitter.com/FareMagazine