PRESSING QUESTIONS: Out In Jersey
Interview with Publisher Peter Frycki
by Joe Siegel
Location: Trenton, N.J.
Geographic coverage area: New Jersey and contiguous areas of neighboring New York and Pennsylvania
Year founded: 2002
Staff size and breakdown (writers, editors, designers, etc.): 6-8 writers, depending on the issue; 4 editors; and a layout designer (most are volunteer and unpaid)
Physical dimensions of publication: 8.5” x 11”
Average page count: 32-40 printed bimonthly
Key demographics: LGBT (the demographics are a bit more skewed toward men in print publication and more lesbians online)
Print run: 5,250, with additional copies during summer months for New Jersey Pride celebrations
Website: www.OutInJersey.net
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PPQ: What feature or features of Out In Jersey have been the most popular with readers?
Publisher Peter Frycki: Celebrity interviews are by far the most popular and our in-house Madame ZZ “My Stars” column.
PPQ: Who came up with the name and what is the inspiration for it?
Frycki: Out In Jersey was the only name that was a good fit when the previous local publication Trenton Out and About went statewide in 2002 under the new ownership. The decision to go statewide was made because there was no statewide publication in New Jersey in 2002.
PPQ: What challenge has your publication had to overcome since its inception?
Frycki: Marketing and advertising has always been a headache as the state of New Jersey is sandwiched between both New York City and Philadelphia with their larger metro areas and many LGBT publications over the years that compete from the adjacent states.
PPQ: What challenge or challenges is Out In Jersey facing now?
Frycki: Although marketing and advertising remains an issue for Out in Jersey magazine and our website, the staff is always looking for ways to remain relevant in the digital climate. As a bimonthly print magazine, we need our digital to carry us through on a daily basis. Eighty percent of our content only appears online. Almost all news stories, some features, all event announcements and most commentary pieces go online only. A large majority of our local theatre, book, music and movie reviews also appear online only.
PPQ: How has Out In Jersey changed since it was first launched?
Frycki: We started out as just a small print publication with a very dedicated group of local individuals and a few dozen distribution locations located within 50 miles of Trenton. Over the years, we have grown. The website, Facebook, Twitter and social networks have grown immense networks of folks from all over New Jersey and even in other states that now comprise our core group for stories and ideas. The distribution network for print is over 200 locations and stretches from Upstate New York to Rehoboth, Del., and “everywhere Out in Jersey.”
PPQ: What one change would you like to make?
Frycki: We are striving to grow and have more voices from all parts of the LGBT community.
PPQ: What has been the biggest news story or stories Out In Jersey has covered?
Frycki: The time when then-Gov. Jim McGreevey came out as a gay man while in office, and then resigned, is still the biggest story we’ve covered.
PPQ: What’s the most surprising feedback you’ve received from a reader?
Frycki: More than once I have been told by someone that they only “read” Out In Jersey for the photos. They were disappointed we did not have more photos. I have since realized that the digital age has made the photos even more important to some readers than the text content.
PPQ: What advice would you give to anyone who may want to launch their own GLBT publication?
Frycki: It may consume every spare moment. Plan ahead and be ready for that.
Frycki: It may consume every spare moment. Plan ahead and be ready for that.
PRESSING QUESTIONS
Volume 18
Issue 11
