What is it?
Creating and publishing a zine or magazine is a fantastic way for creative teens to raise funds while showcasing their talents and interests. This project allows you to engage your community with original content, build a loyal readership, and sell your publication to raise money for your adventure. It’s perfect if you love writing, photography, art, or design and want a hands-on way to fundraise.
Why does it work?
People love supporting local, authentic projects, especially when they feature unique, personal stories or creative content. Selling a tangible product like a zine or magazine creates value for your supporters, who get something memorable in return. Plus, it builds a sense of community around your fundraising goal, encouraging repeat purchases and word-of-mouth promotion.
Step-by-step plan
1
Choose a clear theme or focus for your zine/magazine that reflects your interests and will appeal to your target audience.
2
Plan your content by outlining articles, interviews, reviews, artwork, or photos you want to include. Aim for 8-12 pages to keep it manageable.
3
Gather content by writing articles, taking photos, creating artwork, and interviewing people relevant to your theme.
4
Design your zine using free or paid software. Keep the layout clean and easy to read, and include engaging visuals to attract readers.
5
Proofread everything carefully to avoid typos or errors. Ask a friend or family member to double-check.
6
Print a small batch at home or use a local print shop for professional quality. Consider black-and-white printing to reduce costs if needed.
7
Set a fair price based on your costs and what people might pay—typically £2-£5 per copy.
8
Start selling your zines in person at school, local events, or community centres and online through social media or messaging apps.
9
Keep track of sales and feedback to adjust your content or marketing approach for future editions.
10
Consider creating multiple issues or expanding your reach to raise even more money over time.
Realistic earnings
Most teenagers can expect to earn between £50 and £200 from selling their zines, depending on the quality of content, pricing, and how widely they promote their publication.
Top tips
✅ Focus on a niche topic that you’re passionate about—enthusiasm shines through and attracts loyal readers.
✅ Keep your first edition manageable in size to avoid overwhelm and reduce printing costs.
✅ Use social media stories and live videos to engage your audience and build excitement before launch.
✅ Always have payment options ready, including cash and digital methods, to make purchasing easy for buyers.
Common mistakes to avoid
⚠️ Trying to include too much content, making the project unmanageable and expensive to produce.
⚠️ Neglecting to proofread, which can make your zine look unprofessional.
⚠️ Not promoting enough—relying solely on word-of-mouth limits your potential sales.
💡 TOP TIP — easyfundraising
Buy your printing supplies, paper, and design software subscriptions through easyfundraising to earn cashback that adds to your fundraising total.
Set up your easyfundraising cause free →