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A bit about me
I run local community magazines myself. Like many of you, I’ve built them up over time, worked hard on advertiser relationships, and juggled all the usual challenges that come with it.
Last year, I bought another community magazine from an owner who was ready to step away. It was my first acquisition, and it went well for both of us. The magazine continued, advertisers were looked after, and the owner was able to move on knowing it was in safe hands.
I’m not a broker and I’m not trying to build some huge empire. I’m just another magazine owner who understands the business and is open to taking on the right opportunities when it makes sense for everyone involved.
Who this page is for
This page is for you if:
- You’re starting to think about retirement, even if it still feels a way off
- You’re enjoying the magazine but don’t want to do it forever
- You’re feeling a bit stretched and wondering what your options are
- You care about what happens to your advertisers and readers after you step back
You don’t need to have made any decisions to be here.
The question that usually comes up first: what might my magazine be worth?
This is almost always the first thing people want to understand.
I’m not a valuation expert, but from my own experience and from talking to others in the industry, community magazines are usually valued based on profit rather than turnover.
When I bought my last magazine, I paid around one year’s net profit. That felt realistic and fair on both sides.
Of course, every magazine is different. Things like:
- How steady the profits are
- How loyal the advertisers are
- How much the business relies on you personally
…all play a part.
If we talk, I’ll always be honest and straightforward about what I think, even if that means saying something isn’t right for me or that the timing doesn’t quite work.
How long does it usually take?
Another question you may have is how drawn-out the process might be.
From what I’ve seen so far, a sensible and comfortable timeframe is usually around 3–6 months from the first proper conversation to completion.
That allows time to:
- Talk things through without rushing
- Agree something that works for both sides
- Plan a calm handover
- Communicate with advertisers in a sensible way
There’s no rush. If you need longer, that’s fine. If you’re ready sooner, that’s something we can talk about.
What stepping back could look like
There isn’t one “right” way to do this.
You may want a clean break. You may want a short handover or a gradual step back.
I’m open to talking through what feels right for you and for the magazine.
What matters to me if I take something on
I know how personal these magazines are — they’re often years of work and relationships.
If I were to take on another title, my priorities would be:
- Looking after existing advertisers
- Keeping things stable for readers
- Avoiding sudden or unnecessary changes
I want owners to feel comfortable about what happens after they leave.
If you’d like to have a chat
The first step is just a private, informal conversation.
No pressure. No obligation. Completely confidential.
That’s fine if that's all it ever is — just a useful chat.
Or it could help clarify what to do next.
Get in touch
If you’d like a quiet chat, you can contact me at
sarah.crown@innovatemedia.co.uk
or call me on 07907083710
One last thing
Even if selling feels a year or two away, I feel that starting these conversations early would only make everything feel much easier when the time does come.