Traditional Distribution

Traditional distribution of magazines is the distribution of magazines "to all magazine wholesalers who in turn distribute to supermarkets, drug stores, convenience stores & transportation outlets," according to PDG, a book and magazine distribution company. 

The distribution of a magazine necessitates a publisher. For example, Vogue's publisher is Condé Nast. They distribute Vogue to book stores like Barnes & Noble or grocery stores like Publix. In places like these, people can come across the magazine in passing, and decide to buy it. Or, people can go to these stores intentionally to buy these magazines.

Other than buying magazines in-store, many receive them through the mail. People buy a subscription for a given amount of time, and once a month (more or less depending on the magazine) will receive it in their mail.

Other methods of traditional distribution include non-digital advertising. Billboards, for example, are utilized by magazine companies to promote issues of their magazine. 

This is a billboard advertisement of Elle magazine which displays its various covers on its issue, Women in Hollywood.

For my magazine, the utilization of posters and billboards in public places would increase its exposure to those who have never heard of it. Also, offering a mail subscription allows for ease of access to those who want to read my magazine. I would also utilize a publishing company so my magazine can be distributed to places like grocery stores, where it can sit on the checkout isle, and coax shopper into buying it.