Publications written by and for other businesspeople in your particular industry, profession or field can be a great source of ideas, information, and inspiration. But these magazines and newsletters can be expensive, and you may not be able to find money in the budget for a paid subscription.
Luckily there are ways to find these publications for free. Magazines and newsletters make a very small percentage of their money through subscription sales — the vast majority of revenues come from advertising sales. The more readers the publication can boast, the more attractive it is to potential advertisers.
So trade magazines are actively looking for more "qualified" readers – and are willing to give free subscriptions to those readers in order to increase the audience.
In order to receive free trade magazines, a businessperson must:
- Work in the field, industry or profession targeted by the publication's advertisers, and
- Make purchases for the company, or
- Influence purchase decision-making.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Use a subscription clearinghouse
Web sites that specialize in offering free trade publications use questionnaires to match newsletters and magazines with qualified readers.
I recommend: TradePub.com and
Free Trade Magazine Source let you pick a magazine or newsletter and apply for a free subscription through the Web site.
Take the direct route
Try locating the magazine or newsletter online. Often, certain articles or entire issues are available on the publication's website.
I recommend: The
Yahoo! Trade Publication Directory includes Web-only and print trade publications and is divided by category.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Watch subscriptions for expiration dates. Some "free" offers only last for six or twelve months until they expire. You may continue to get the publication after that date – with a bill.
- Read all the text carefully when you're filling out a survey or application for free publications. Many of these services will ask if they can add you to email lists, or attempt to sign you up for other special "offers" while you're applying for the magazine. If you don't want to get email or other magazines, be sure to refuse those offers by un-checking the box.
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