How to read Entrepreneur Magazine
Why am I writing this article? Because a long time ago I read an article on how to best read the Wall Street Journal and I was amazed at how useful it was. Well, I have been a subscriber to Entrepreneur Magazine for about eight years and I have picked up some useful methods to get the most value out of the magazine.
Why is Entrepreneur Magazine great? It is filled with countless useful tips, motivational stories, facts, and relevant advertisers. Every issue I find at least a handful of things that either help my business, make me a better entrepreneur, or help someone I know with their venture.
Here’s how I read Entrepreneur Mag:
- Set aside 1-3 hours to read it from cover to cover (ideally, doesn’t always happen this way)
- Start from the back: The best articles are always in the later pages of the magazine and the classified ads are generally more valuable to take a look at then all the full page ads that are front loaded.
- Fold the pages that have something you want to check out further (either a website url, interesting fact, article you want to send to someone, etc.)
- Use a pen to identify the section on the folded page that was useful and leave a quick note to yourself as to why it was important (i.e. “send this to fred”, “check out this website for the blog”, “new business idea”, etc.)
- Read the heading and subheading of the articles, then the bold subtitles…if that article is interesting read more, if not then keep going.
- Make note of the authors and companies mentioned that peak your interest, do not be afraid to send either an email mentioning the article and why you found it worthwhile, it could spark a valuable future relationship.
- After you have gone through the whole magazine, now go back to the folded pages when you have time and check out the valuable websites, email the article to a friend, add a fact to your business plan, etc.
This may not be the perfect way for everybody but it has worked great for me so far. Also, be sure to check out their website for even more valuable resources in addition to the print magazine.
2 Comments
David Askaripour
June 28th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
Excellent, Dan! Thanks for that great insight. Yeah, I used to read Entrepreneur Mag for a few years, then I stopped. Not because the information wasn’t great, but because I didn’t feel that it was focused enough and they tended to be all over the place in terms of their articles.
However, last month I picked up a copy for the first time in many years and I was pretty impressed with their content. But still think that they are a bit unfocused.
On the other hand… I can’t get enough of Business 2.0 mag. I think that 2.0 is much more focused and has more of an intimate relationship with their readers.. And I also feel with 2.0 leans more on the internet/tech side which is great.
Nonetheless, your advice on how to go about actually reading a business magazine is great and I plan to use your methods the next time I get another mag.
Good Stuff, dude!
Brad Williamson
August 19th, 2006 at 10:41 am
Entrepreneur Mag just doesnt do it for me anymmore. Im more a Business 2.0 and Fast Company guy.
However, your advice on how to read Entrepreneur definitely applies to Biz 2.0 and FC as well.
I think another valuable point on how to handle your biz mag subscriptions is to SAVE your back issues. Ya never know when you will need to look back and grab some info from an old issue.
Wishing you continued success…
…bizMAVERICK…
Brad Williamson
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