The obvious one is content – we are renowned for our excellent coverage of all sorts of subjects. People say there’s always loads in there of interest to them – men, women, older and younger people. Design-wise it’s made easy to read, and every little piece in it is edited for clarity.
We are the widest read publication in this area. Our 25,000 copies give us a readership of 60-70,000. And because of our great content people read every page.
We offer the personal touch, writing about our customers in an engaging way – no advertorial! We also offer free design, a clear ratecard, we’re honest and trustworthy and we’re a small local business, not a big corporate. In this way, what you are buying is TRUST. Our brand is held in deep affection and is trusted. People trust our content and our honesty and this rubs off on the advertisers.
Our mag lasts a month and reaches so many people. Our content is very different, a
slow read, so readers are more likely to see and respond to ads on the page.
Unusually, men love our mag as much as women –as it caters for them too. Not just in sport, business etc, but just in the tone. Our magazine caters for everyone of any age, gender, religion or politics.
We have a unique ‘Dorset’ voice, while bringing gentle humour –it’s a totally different style of publication, our hybrid news magazine, than any other local publication. It’s a cuddle in printed form.
We are more flexible than most other publications, because we use design software, not templates. So if an advertiser wants an upright half rather than landscape, we can do it. If they want the centre pages we can do it. Same with our website – we’re not a big corporate and we are in control of what appears on our website and how it looks. The only thing we won’t do is pop-ups. Our website is clean, simple and does what it needs to. People remark on this.
We don’t follow the mantra, ‘if it bleeds it leads’ –we do cover controversial topics and we are known for tackling issues other publications shy away from, but we don’t cover tragedy just for its shock value, ever. We focus on the people rebuilding things and helping others.
Our cartoon fronts have not only won us a national award (runner up in the Political Cartoon of the Year awards, beating The Times, The Telegraph, Private Eye etc) but they are a much-loved brand. People look forward to seeing what the cartoon is each time.
The striking nature of our fronts, with their bold colours, has ensured we are instantly recognisable.
Attention to detail: One of the things often remarked on is our exceptionally low number of typos and errors. We do things the oldfashioned way, with several people proofreading the magazine before it goes to print. We take care. All this, and a magazine that lasts a month and goes to 60-70,000 people!
Can you afford not to advertise?
n 23-25,000 copies distributed to 260 stockists (No door to door, all actively picked up by readers)
n Every town and village in West Dorset covered, as well as Weymouth, Portland and Yeovil
n Well over 40% penetration
n Widest read publication in West Dorset
n A month’s advertising for a fraction of the price of advertising in a daily paper
n Trusted, well-written hyperlocal content
I haven’t bothered with print advertising for a long time as I just wasn’t getting anywhere with it. But I like this magazine, so I gave it a go and I noticed an immediate uptick in trade.
We advertised our new business in a couple of newspapers. We got nothing from the other ad, but people would come in clutching our ad in the West Dorset Magazine!
Our order book was empty before we advertised with the West Dorset Magazine. After two adverts we had 28 orders!
I have had quite a few calls from my small ad in the magazine. People say, ‘It is a very informative magazine, we love it’ and ‘I found you in the new magazine’. Tt is being well received.
People always mention the magazine – they really love it.
Dorset to Doorstep has been advertising with you on a negotiated rate for the last couple of months as a new business.
We are delighted that several of our new contacts have come from around the region through our advertisement with you.
I have just picked up a copy and seen our little advert this week. Brill. Thank you. The adverts are working. We are so pleased.
We want to say a huge thank you... We had so many people attending the show and when we asked how they knew about the show, so many said the West Dorset Magazine article and the event advertisement.
As a Fleet Street veteran in semi-retirement, I must commend your excellent magazine. It is rare indeed to find a local publication with such robust editorial values and a willingness to report without undue inhibition. Your information service is of course vital but I particularly enjoy your quirky but spirited columns and features. The piece on the Black Death (Edition 11) was superb, and superbly presented.
This magazine is much looked forward to and read by our entire household in some detail! Many thanks go to you all - finally a local magazine for the locals.
What a brilliant job all of you have made of the new magazine. We absolutely love it – such a good idea. So many interesting articles to read and keep. Absolutely well done and congratulations. advertising@westdorsetmag.co.uk (
I am pleased with the response so far to my advert.
We have more than 230 stockists across West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland and Yeovil
January 13 (deadline Jan 6)
February 10 (deadline Feb 3)
March 10 (deadline March 3)
April 7 (deadline March 31)
May 12 (deadline May 5)
June 9 (deadline June 2)
July 7 (deadline June 30)
August 11 (deadline Aug 4)
Sept 8th (deadline Sept 1)
Oct 13 (deadline Oct 6)
November 10 (deadline Nov 3)
December 8 (deadline Dec 1)
Why not sponsor a section? A strap this size doesn’t cost the earth. Email advertising@westdorsetmag.co.uk for details and to book.
money, time and hassle with an eight-page silk leaflet
stitched into the middle of The West Dorset Magazine, reaching 60,000-70,000 people for less than door-to-door
n Finely targeted advertising – people decide to pick up our magazine, so they are more likely to read your marketing materials
n Eight pages to fill – so you can display your wares to the fullest
n No hassle and no printing and distribution costs – we do everything for you
n Perfect alternative to door to door leaflet drops that often just go straight in the bin
n Just send us your artwork (three weeks’ notice required) and we’ll do the rest! Call 01305 566336 #2
We are Bird Media – two experienced journalists who launched their own news publication, The West Dorset Magazine, in February 2022.
It has proved so, so popular we are now going into Weymouth and Portland, and Yeovil and increasing our distribution and the number of pages.
Editor Miranda Robertson has worked for a number of local papers, including the Dorset Echo, Salisbury Journal and The New Blackmore Vale. She lives in Maiden Newton with her husband Peter, son Robert, jug Pugsie-Mfanwy, pug Hugo and the ginger ninja Kitten Mitten. Karen Bate has worked for the Salisbury Journal, Wiltshire Living Magazine, Bournemouth Echo and The New Blackmore Vale. She lives with husband Stuart,
daughter Florence, dogs Buddy and Lord Alfred Sticks, and cat Milton. There’s also bonkers horse Mars and pony Bumble in her menagerie. They have formed a small but brilliant team of regional journalists with over a century of experience between them, to bring people the type of magazine everyone enjoys. It’s fun, engaging and very, very Dorset. We are determined that our magazine should be free for everyone, and bring some brightness into the world.
The magazine’s enormous print run (25,000 copies) and distributing it to 240 stockists ensures advertisers get the best value for money of any local publication. We fund this through advertising – your support means we can continue to entertain tens of thousands of of people in Dorset. Thank you.
