Golden Rules for Magazine Editors

From 1998 till 2017, I worked with various magazines as a writer/editor. These were mostly automotive and technology publications based in Bombay, Pune and New Delhi. Also wrote for newspapers and websites during this period. Over the years, I was fortunate enough to have some great bosses – fabulous Editors – who taught me some valuable lessons in journalism. Of these, one of the greatest was Gourav Jaswal, Editor of CHIP, who hired me to join his editorial team in Bombay, in 1998. Gourav, who is now based in Goa, is an amazingly well-read, outstandingly brilliant person. Smart, articulate, all-around knowledgeable and sharp, he’s someone whom I’ve always looked up to. He’s the one who gave me first break in full-time journalism, which allowed me to go to Bombay and work there for many years – it’s what helped me build my life and do whatever little that I’ve been able to do.

Back in 1998 or 1999, he gave me a list of some ‘golden rules,’ which he said every magazine Editor should follow. While journalism itself has changed a fair bit since that time, I find that GJ’s rules are still as relevant as ever. And hence, I present that list here in the hope that some young Editor(s) will read this and, perhaps, benefit from these rules.   

1. Write at least one important feature for every issue.

2. Have a timely and well thought-out editorial column. This is not a chore; it is a reflection of the readers thoughts and an enlightenment for everyone.

3. Spend at least three working days each month meeting readers. Have at least three focus group meetings in a year.

4. Seek out one new contact each week instead of relying on old friends for inputs.

5. Take a personal interest in developing the skills of inexperienced staff members.

6. Create a written, flexible job description for all staff members, which is communicated to them.

7. If you criticise, be specific. Provide errant staff members with a written list of tasks or job objectives to be completed within a specified time-period.

8. Secure speaking engagements on at least three industry programs every year.

9. Spend company money as your own, and administer corporate policy as your personal policy. If you don’t agree with it, don’t accept it.

10. Review competing magazines for strengths as well as weaknesses. Know them better than their own Editors.

11. Read your own magazine very carefully and note mistakes, making a checklist to keep track of what is being done about them.

12. Meet all publication deadlines, setting an example for your staff by your own work.

13. Make none and also refuse to accept excuses such as ‘not enough time’ or ‘had to fill space somehow’ for running second-rate material in the magazine.

14. Willingly do routine, minor work in emergencies when the workload is high.

15. Keep personal business to a minimum while in the office.

16. Be better informed than the marketing people about the figures relating to the magazine and the industry.

17. Be the best informed in the company, about every aspect of the production of the magazine.

18. Make an effort to learn more and more about the industry in which your magazines operates, about magazine publishing itself, about mass communication, about management, about everything. Make a personal knowledge-checklist for yourself.

19. Go to meet people instead of expecting people to come and meet you.

20. Prove that you are right by the force of your logic and the brilliance of your ideas, not by the weight of your designation.

21. Evaluate each person only the merits of his work and conduct. If you think you don’t like him, go to rule number 7.

22. You are the defender, protector and friend of your Editorial staff. Don’t suck up to Management, Marketing or the Owner.