Dom Smith of Soundspheremag.com runs a website where he believes he is championing the alternative music in the North of England. The website is a platform for feature bands, artists and culture on a local, national and international level. With the help of music fans, PR agents and labels, Dom has been able to create a brand that he is very proud of and that he enjoys .
So let’s see how Dom Smith got started with SoundsphereMag and how the business side of it plays with making money.
1.Sum up your business in a sentence?
The business is about... alternative (rock, indie, electronic, metal) music and culture for the North of England and worldwide where appropriate.
2.What were you doing before?
I was a freelance journalist and before that, a dedicated (and naïve student).
3. Where did the business idea come from?
The business idea came from... the final year project of my Masters Degree in Magazine Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire where I had to think up, research and produce a printed magazine to pass the course. Once I passed, I took it forward.
4. Did you always want to be an entrepreneur?
Nope. I wanted a good job and lots of money. Now I have enough money to live on and a “dream” job.
5. What's your unique selling point (USP)?
Our USP is...we focus specifically on key Northern cities that other national music magazines miss out on like Hull, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, York, Bradford and Wakefield for example. We spotlight not only music, but artists and creatives in these areas.
6. How do you make money?
The business makes money by...advertising from the print magazine and website.
7. Who are your competitors?
The competitors are... we don't have any because we are based up North. If we were in London, then we'd be competing with the likes of NME and Rock Sound.
8. How have you funded it so far?
The business has been funded so far by...myself in the beginning, then with a grant from York St John University, I took the magazine into print and from then on, advertising from lovely businesses up North in all of our key areas.
9. Which idea are you a bit jealous of?
Whoever invented pop tarts is a genius. At 25, I still enjoy them as much for breakfast as I did a child.
10. What are the other businesses you look up to?
Other businesses I look up to include... the contributors (to my business), any freelance writer and musician trying to survive, anywhere, my friends at Metal Hammer, Rock Sound, One&Other and T3 magazines, my fellow Disabled Entrepreneurs, independent film-maker Mike Leigh Cooper (who is the hardest working person I know, I also share office space with him), Jamie Mahon Design (who designs our magazine and is based in Leeds) and Kieran Schlechter (who is a freelance web designer, based in Leeds, and who created our website). These people inspire me daily. Also, Creative York, because without them, I would have no work. It needs to be said as well that wildfirehub.com is set to be fantastic! Well done and good luck to all involved!
11. What was the best bit of advice you received and who was it from?
The best advice I got (industry-wise...) Alexander Milas, Editor of Metal Hammer told me he wanted to see my work in print. That gave me the desire to produce a print magazine to compliment an online publication. Print mags, in this day and age are respected more (in some cases) than online zines.
12. If you weren't doing what you're doing now, what alternative career would you choose and why?
The alternative career would be...well, I walk with two sticks and have cerebral palsy, so I'd be working on my other project and producing a magazine for that – disabledentrepreneurs.co.uk. Or, I always thought I'd be an awesome bin-man – I'd strap the bins to my car!
13. What is success to you?
Success to me is... a lifetime's supply of pop tarts. Other than that, enough money to live on and get around with, the dream job, people to share that dream job with and respect.
14. Where do you see yourself in 3 years’ time?
In three years' time, I'll be doing the same thing. Making more money. Employing more staff. - hopefully one or two writers with disabilities too. With more experience and I maybe less stressed... maybe.
We are always keen to here your views, please do let us know what you think of these articles. If you know any young businsses from your area you would like us to profile, please go get in touch.
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