How do I get magazine feature

This sooo true..so so true so dont let half these post fool you..Its all politics like anything so talk and play the game. Pay close enough attention to some of the mags and you'll see the same cars/individuals mentioned over and over by the same photographers...But being 'active' on here will get you more 'exposure' cause most of the magazines guys are on here or lurk anyways..

 

A can a day keeps the sweat hogs away.

 

I just happened to write my editorial on just this for the Sept issue so I guess I'll give you all a first look.



If there is one thing that I get questioned about more than anything else it would have to be about getting a car featured in Rod & Custom. So I thought that I would detail some of the right and wrong ways to go about it. We’re always looking for cool hot rods and customs to feature and most of them come out of the garages of guys building them at home.

“How do I submit my car?”
I get this question probably more than any other. It generally comes from a phone call or email. Although I enjoy talking to people about their cars and its build-up, my time in the office is limited so when I am there I’m trying to catch up on the things that have to be done while I’m there. The proud owners want to explain the whole history and build-up in great detail and I can understand that they are very proud but in most cases until I can see the car it doesn’t do much good. The same goes with an email. I get hundreds of emails a week (not all about feature cars) but they don’t send a photo along with it.

“What do you guys look for in a feature car?”
Most of this comes down to the first impression your car gives us. When we’re walking or cruising around an event (sometimes we get golf carts) that has thousands of cars there’s no way we can get a chance to check out each one up close and personal. If your car grabs our attention we’ll take a closer look because I know reading the magazine works the same way. In most cases when you turn the page it’s the initial reaction to the front ¾-shot that get’s you to read about it. It might be the make, stance, style or any number of things that will spark our interest. I’ve gone to events and told the guys we’re not going to shoot any `32 Fords and especially black ones and then get blown away by a super cool black `32 and shoot it.

“You probably want to come over here and check out my car.”
This will happen at an event as we’re walking around with the camera around our neck shooting some show coverage. Don’t be afraid to approach us and bring your car to our attention but don’t expect us to drop everything and go take a look.

Things not to do.
* Tell me that your car is nicer than the stuff we normally feature. (It’s not.)
* Tell me that you spent $175,000 building it. (I don’t care and money spent and style don’t go hand-in-hand.)
* Tell me that there’s no doubt I’ll want it for a cover. (It never turns out to be something I would put on the cover. If it’s cover material I’ll know.)
* Don’t not read the magazine or know what cars we feature. (You wouldn’t believe how many calls I get about a really cool car that was just finished and after the guy goes on for a few minutes I ask what kind of car it is only to find out it’s a pro-street `76 Dart.)
* Send inquires to several magazines. (If you have a favorite magazine start there. We work very closely with Street Rodder so that we don’t both feature the same cars and neither will generally run something if it has been featured elsewhere.)
* Keep calling or emailing if you don’t get a response within a few days. (If I don’t contact you within a couple of weeks, don’t take it personally, it just means that most likely we don’t need it right now.)

How to do it correctly.
The very first thing you need to do is to send photos and your contact info along with a brief outline of what has been done to it. Try to make the photos as good as you can. Get the sun to your back, pick a good clean background, and make sure the entire car is in the photo. Send front and rear ¾-shots, along with engine and interior photos. I read all the mail I get from readers so I will see it. If it is something that I think we might be able to use for a feature I’ll contact you and get more info and find out what major shows you are taking it to where we might be able to see it in person. If we’re not going to do a feature we might be able to use it in our Readers’ Rods section (which is why you should send in the best photos you can.)
Don’t be intimidated about submitting your car because you think it’s not good enough. The people I like dealing with the most are the ones that I run across at an event that are surprised that I’m interested in their car. The ones that I hate dealing with are the ones that can’t believe I’m not interested in their's.

 

that about nails it!

 

Highboy

You have a bitchen car. You have something that most of us wished we had.

As for the magazine, I have always considered it as a 'bonus' in recognition. It comes, when it comes. When that day does arrive, you will enjoy the moment so much better than you would trying to chase it down.

I used to think that getting that magazine centerfold was everything...I have had a single picture in a couple mags...my grin was just as big as if it was a feature spread. Getting the recognition of MY car in a group of hundred others is satisfying.

'If you build it, he will come' . . .

BTW: Bias plys instead of radials would really make that car 'pop'!

 

For shits sake he's 27, not a baby. Mate, if you get picked ,you get picked, if not, that's life.

 

rob a bank , get in a high speed chase in your 32 and i would bet you would get in every mag on the planet , you would be famous!!

or you could just be happy with what you got and enjoy the car ...

 

I think your car looks clean and detailed.

You got a nice ride but honestly...why do you give a flying handful of shit about getting in a magazine? Do people buy magazines anymore? I haven't bought a magazine in 7 or 8 years because it takes me 10 minutes to read through one and I already know 95% of the stuff in there.

There is a reason I come to the Internet for my fix. The information is here and now. Some sheet-metal wizard does a write up on his progress from the night before and posts it on a website for us to admire. In a magazine you would have to wait months for a write up and you get it on some mulched up dead trees...the internet is like...you know...ELECTRIC MAN!!!

The ONLY "Magazine" I have been tempted to get is Church Magazine just for the pictures. I have an amateur photography fetish and I can appreciate what it takes to get a good shot of a nice car. Is there a decent magazine out there that isn't choked full of rock-a-billy/betty pix and Pabst can tattoos?

Basically what I am trying to say is posting up your car on the Internet is interactive and peer reviewed...if people can appreciate your ride and tell you so then you know you really have something. It is nice to be appreciated by your peers but who cares about magazines? Seriously I would rather see the HAMB have a "Featured Ride" section and see people strive to get into that rather than some silly magazine subscribed to by half as many punks as this joint!

 

Fine,all you guys are right,I really shouldnt care,and my car,its real nice,and has the right look,but honestly,all the mags have enough 32 roadsters in them,so I'm saying that this thread is done,and thank you for all the replys,I get it now.

 

Listen to Kevin,

Just last year I was lucky enough to be one of the people he is talking about who was surprisd he even had a slight interest in my car. I will be honest, when he and Tim B got off of the golf cart (yes, they did get off) they could have told me they were Louis Chevrolet, and Henry Ford, and I could not have argued. I knew who they were by name but no clue who they were in person.
I had just parked in a spot that wasn't even a parking spot in Columbus last year actually in a bunch of dirt next to some service equipment when they came up and started questioning me about the car. It wasn't until after they had asked allot of questions that they introduced them selves. They picked it for a top tin pick and then later that evening called and had me meet them for a shoot. I was blown away and still cant believe it.

The one thing I think they were impressed with was how much I had driven the car and was enjoying it. That is the most important thing to remember, Drive it and Enjoy it, no matter what.

Here is something to think about. After they shot my car and picked it for an award, I spent the rest of the weekend wondering why my car when there are a thousand others here nicer and built by people who worked just as hard. Why did they pick me. Their response.....It just caught my eye, and had the look!

 

29 Sedanman.. Great story I have had the same experience at another show exactly and with SR magazine. Drive it and NJoy it ..thats what count in life !!!...

 

I was approached by R&C when I had my 32 sedan, back in 03, then I kept in touch with the photograper, we actually became pretty good friends, and evertime I went to a national event we got together etc. He would always ask what I was building next and if he felt it was worthy he shot it at the next eveent we were at, or had a co-worker shoot it. I've had 3 cars done now, and possibly another this weekend at the nats in MO. If you have the right stuff it will happen, bad thing is most mags are tired of 32's they almost didn't use my 32, but did at the last minute. Hit some big shows etc and hope for the best. Later, Rusty.

 

stop trying so hard to get it in a mag.Every time I want something to happen it doesn't,every time I'm not thinking about it,it happens.

 

I had an older guy in his 70's make a special trip throught the back yard and up the steps to the back porch last year when I had one of my cars setting in the driveway.
He said excuse me but I just had to tell you, intentionally or not, you built a vehicle that looks like it should. During the times when hot rods were built by hotrodders not professionals.
That compliment meant more to me than any trophy or mag feature could ever do.

 

It looks like a really nice car. But it doen't have anything that says hey I'm special and deserve special attention. Put me in a magazine. It's fairly generic. I don't mean in a bad way.

I wish I could have such a nice car and at 27. Nice. I like the interior.

Toss some wire wheels with tall skinny bias ply's on it and it'll probably get some attention.

Wheels and tires are one of the most importent acessories a car needs. Your wheel/tire combo is lacking in my opinion. That's my only criticism.

It seems part of being in a magazine is reading and playing to a "mood".

 

Speaking for myself, there's 2 ways to get your car featured.
1) Seek out the right people to do it
2) Let it naturally come to you.

I prefer #2. I think it would be more satisfying if the opportunity found you.

Kinda like deer hunting, as opposed to shooting them in the zoo.

 

How true, When it hapened to me in Colunmbus, I had not even planned on attending the event. Last minute I went to see some friends and eat some Bar be Que. Little did I know...............

 

screw all the hype and publicity..
get in the dam thing and go for a ride.
did you build it to enjoy it, or did you build it to get a pat on the back?
if you have to think more than 2.5 secconds on my last question, than your screwed!

 

...start your own magazine and only feature your car!

 

I agree on both points. Congrats on a nice ride.

I rarely even read magazines anymore, all the good cars are here.

 

This is the only statement on here that says it all!!
If ya want to be seen go to:www.ratemyride.com
JimV

 

Then send the pictures and your story to the mags and then don't worry about it. Like the voices said in "Field of Dreams"...If you build it they will come (maybe ).....if it's as nice in their eyes as it is in yours!!!!!!

 

and what is the name of the BBQ joint? and will you guys be going this year??

 

I think it is called the pink pig, or the iron pig. Great food. If I make it to Columbus I am sure I will stop by there. I know Bubba and cre will be there.

Ask Bubba how he found the place. Funny story......................

 

Our feature article happened by being at a large hotrod and customs event...being one of the cars that caught people's attention ( a 59 cadillac Hearse ).....and, I guess, because it is female owner driver. Then we were approached by a writer for a national car magazine wanting contact details and from then on the feature article. Bit of a shock it was a 6 page article.... and exciting just the same. I drive my Cadillac Hearse daily, so it gets seen out and about. The writer of the article had seen me driving it well before he found me at the car event.
So, I would say exposure will get you noticed. A lot of "pretty hotrods" dont see much daylight and a few have never felt a spot of rain on their roof. Thats doesnt help.

 

being in a car mag sounds great! but that means i would have to wash my ride and empty the inside of old fast food wrappers, too much work i'll pass!

 

You do sound like quite the crybaby queer that we have grown to know streetrodders to be.

But, that said, nice car. Very nice.

 

You know what,I'm fine with being a StreetRodder,I never said I was a HotRodder,or did I say that I had a real HotRod.

 

I was only asking a simple question,or I was just typing my thoughts on here,some of you guys have taken this thread to far.