Advice on getting a feature?

[MaxHarvard]

I was hoping you guys could give me some advice.

I really want to get my car as a feature somewhere, i was hoping for Chevy High performance, super chevy or car craft. How would someone like myself go about doing that? Is there something i can do to increase my chances?

Thanks again,

~Eric

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

i was wondering this too..

is it like a see and be seen type thing where you go to shows and constantly show.. or

you send in photos to every mag and subscription and wear the mags tshirts at shows and do naked cartwheels with the mag in your hand? :lol:

just playin..

you have a nice ride btw

[MaxHarvard]

I just talked to Mike Harrington over at Super Chevy. He was a really nice guy.

Unfortunately, he said i'm too far away for them to do a feature, but they would put my car in the readers ride section.

Its a start! :)

[nitrorocket]

It seems to be very tough, you have to have a car that is unlike any other. I tried to get in the Mags to share my build with all the other LS1 swappers in the country, but it seems I have failed. :( I think it's my wheels! Anybody have some 17x11 5 spokes they want to borrow me for a week or two?? :D

Besides, who wants to know how to build a 1000hp 20 mpg daily driver for real cheap anyway! :_paranoid :(


Phew, now with that off my chest :P ....... Have you tried a Camaro Mag????

[MaxHarvard]

Nope... but thats a killer idea! thanks! :)

[61Bubbletop]

If you have the "right" car...the magazines will find you...

[MaxHarvard]

Dangit, i cant find the camaro high performance magazine website :(

[ironworks]

It helps to be in california. It is easier to get a crappy in the mag thena super nice one far away from California. The mag guys have to see it at a big show.

Rodger

[XcYZ]

Like Jeff said, they will find you. For starters, there are several magazine editors that frequent this site and I've been contacted many times for e-mail addresses of owners of cars on this site.

You also need to be seen at major car shows. Did you happen to see all the Primedia guys combing the grounds at the Car Craft Summer Nationals? They had Wes Allison along, too. He's Primedia's motion photography guru. :)

As for the car, they are always looking for the complete package, something that will not only interest subscribers, but also get people to pick it up off the rack.

[Derek69SS]

Keep in mind this is coming from someone who has never been featured, and does not work for any magazine... these are just my thoughts on the subject.

Most magazines do not want "average" cars that you can see at any show anywhere in the country. Please don't be offended, but at first glance, your car doesn't look any different than any other first-gen camaro, especially on TTII wheels (hey, I've got them too :D ) and an ordinary looking carb'd smallblock under the hood. Suspension goodies, are not easily noticed, no matter what you've got under it, and unless you've got something that catches their eye, you'll blend in with the thousands of others in the sea of cars at the big shows the magazine guys come to... (Car Craft is the only one around here)

Also, it seems every time someone like Steve at PHR posts on here that he's looking for something to feature, the requirement is either non-chevy or non-camaro. They've got a boatload of Camaros worthy of a feature, but every time they put one in the mag, a thousand hate-mails come in calling them a camaro-mag. :rolleyes:

[trapin]

If you want to be featured in one of the major magazines, your car better be one of three things; over-the-top, something completely different, or cost a bazillion dollars to build. If you miss on any of those 3 criteria...you're chances of a feature in magazines such as Car Craft, Hot Rod, Popular Hotrodding, etc are slim to none. You have a sweet car there, Eric...but I would aim for "Readers Rides" or "Hometown Hotrodding". Nothing wrong with getting in there, hell I hope to get into one of those sections someday. But if you still feel like you want to try for that feauture, I would say your best bet might be over at Camaro Performers or Chevy Hi-Performance where they don't put so much emphasis on the "Wow!" factor.

That's the reality of it. I wish it wasn't like that...but in this industry..."sex sells".

[ProdigyCustoms]

First and foremost. You have to be where the magazines are. in other owrds at shows. At the Year One experiance, there were many magazines there, they shot dozens of features. They promote it as a "get your car in a magazine show".

Second, and maybe more important, find a editor that takes a shine to your car. If they like it, your in. If they think the asspect ratio on your tires if off, your out!

Is there anyway to know what one editor will like and another hate? hell no. One editor may show no interest, another do flips for the same car.

3rd, And maybe most impotant to our group is to build anything but a first gen Camaro.

[Stuart Adams]

Take your car to some high end shows, there will be magazines there - SEMA, etc. If the car qualifies , if you know what I mean, then your chances are good at someone seeing it and being interested.

The other side is, if your car is average and you take it to a high end show they probably will walk right by, nothing personal on their part just survival of the fittest.

Bottom line, the better the car the better your chances.

[Mean 69]

And maybe most impotant to our group is to build anything but a first gen Camaro.

Yep, what he said. I love my 69 and will never part with it, but I will also probably never build another first gen Camaro for myself.

I like the current trend of actually testing the cars, as PHR and Super Chev do with regularity. If you build a stompin performance monster, it will at least get the attention of PHR, less so for Super Chevy. If it doesn't pull well over .9 g's on street tires though, well, try a different approach.

Don't forget though, in the end, you should be building the car for yourself if you intend on keeping it, if others don't dig it, that should be okay.
M

[nitrorocket]

I agree, it seems to be personal choice of the editor. You have to be at the right time and place to be noticed at a show. That is probably the best bet. :yes:

My next step is flowers.....would any editors please P.M. me your mailing address? ;)

[ProdigyCustoms]

My next step is flowers.....would any editors please P.M. me your mailing address? ;)
Hookers, not flowers!

[nitrorocket]

Stupid me.... I will have Hookers drop off the flowers! ;) :unibrow:

[Derek69SS]

Hookers, not flowers!Will Hedmans work? :_paranoid They're ceramic-coated. :lol:

[slck6t9]

Like Scott said, alot of the editors frequent this site. That is how I ended up getting an upcoming feature in PHR. Stephen Kimm of PHR saw my car on this site and contacted Scott which lead him to me and the rest is history. I by NO means have an over the top car. It is just ANOTHER first gen camaro. It is by NO means in the same class as a bunch of cars on this site. Its just a plain ol car built on a LOW budget. I was as shocked as any when I got the call to have a feature done. So as for it having to be over the top and something no one else has done I would have to disagree. I think it just needs to be appealing to the guy shooting the pictures and writing the article. Plus I agreed to travel a couple hours away twice to get the shoot done.

Dec. issue here I come!!

Scott

[KAA]

Is there something i can do to increase my chances? Build a bitchin' G-body. I hear Chevy High Performance is looking to feature one. :D

[Steve1968LS2]

It seems to be very tough, you have to have a car that is unlike any other. I tried to get in the Mags to share my build with all the other LS1 swappers in the country, but it seems I have failed. :( I think it's my wheels! Anybody have some 17x11 5 spokes they want to borrow me for a week or two?? :D

Besides, who wants to know how to build a 1000hp 20 mpg daily driver for real cheap anyway! :_paranoid :(


Phew, now with that off my chest :P ....... Have you tried a Camaro Mag????

If your car was closer we would shoot it..

In actuallity that's the main problem in most cases.. accesability. The first step is to make the magazines aware of your existance. The second step is to either go to where they will be or have a cool enough ride that they will come to you.

Coming to you doesn't happen much since it costs so much money. The best bet is that you are shot at an even that they are also attending. If you have a Chevy then the Super Chevy shows are a great place. For PHR the TRUE STREET and SUPER CHEVY DRAG RACE events are good bets.

Also, I am always posting here for cars. We have a big clip of cars around the country that we can draw from when we travel.

If you live in SoCal or Vegas then it's MUCH MUCH easier to get in.

Keep in mind that the most expensive car is not picked. it's the most interesting car (look at Alcino's Mustang II)

[XcYZ]

Build a bitchin' G-body. I hear Chevy High Performance is looking to feature one. :D

:thumbsup:

[nitrorocket]

I would gladly travel quite a ways to have an article or feature done on my Chevelle. :drool: :hail: :burnout: I always hoped you guys would've thought I had a neat engine to talk about with all the LS1 stuff poping up EVERYWHERE. 1000 hp on 93 octane on a crate motor budget does'nt just happen everyday. Might interest many people. :drive:

Like I said, I would travel a good reasonable distance, But, If you came to my town, you could get some first hand chassis dyno and or dragstrip shots and info. :unibrow:

[Steve1968LS2]

I would gladly travel quite a ways to have an article or feature done on my Chevelle. :drool: :hail: :burnout: I always hoped you guys would've thought I had a neat engine to talk about with all the LS1 stuff poping up EVERYWHERE. 1000 hp on 93 octane on a crate motor budget does'nt just happen everyday. Might interest many people. :drive:

Like I said, I would travel a good reasonable distance, But, If you came to my town, you could get some first hand chassis dyno and or dragstrip shots and info. :unibrow:


What town are you in?

And that's another thing... I hate it when (on sites like this) people don't have their location listed.. it makes it hard to scout for cars..

(yes, that was hint.. lol)

Your car is set for Hometown and I will show it to Johnny for future feature consideration..

[slownova]

If you want to be featured in one of the major magazines, your car better be one of three things; over-the-top, something completely different, or cost a bazillion dollars to build. If you miss on any of those 3 criteria...you're chances of a feature in magazines such as Car Craft, Hot Rod, Popular Hotrodding, etc are slim to none. You have a sweet car there, Eric...but I would aim for "Readers Rides" or "Hometown Hotrodding". Nothing wrong with getting in there, hell I hope to get into one of those sections someday. But if you still feel like you want to try for that feauture, I would say your best bet might be over at Camaro Performers or Chevy Hi-Performance where they don't put so much emphasis on the "Wow!" factor.

That's the reality of it. I wish it wasn't like that...but in this industry..."sex sells".

thats not always true. i have all of that and then some but no magazine will even talk to me haha. i thought a 70 chevelle laying a inch off the ground tucking 22x11s would of been worth something, but the answer is no unless you live in or around cali.

[nitrorocket]

I updated my Info. :lolhit:

I am in Milwaukee, Pretty close to everywhere in Wisconsin. :)

[harshman]

I'll give you a strong pointer. Magazines are companies for profit. Keep this in mind when you are building your rides. The magazine companies sell advertising to other companies that make products that bolt onto your car. Take a look at which magazine you want to be in, build a very nice ride using those parts that they advertise. Average cars will make a magazine. God forbid, '69 Camaros will make a magazine you just need to market your car properly (project dead cat comes to mind). Hell, mine made it and to be honest, I never thought of my car as magazine quality – who knew?

[trapin]

Interesting. I'll test the waters some day when my car is done. But I won't be holding my breath. Like I said....I'll be thrilled just to get into Readers Rides or something like that. I'm not greedy.

Well, hell Eric....don't listen to me. If these guys say it can be done, you owe it to yourself to give it a shot. Good luck...I'll be rootin' for ya. :thumbsup:

[Blake Foster]

Dear Steve

How far north is too Far
We will meet you 50 miles south of there. somewhere with nice back drop
Hows that sound.
I know it's a first gen and it didn't cost quite a bazillion $$$
but it is over the top............. i think

Does this sound like i'm groveling???? i hope not

[Steve1968LS2]

thats not always true. i have all of that and then some but no magazine will even talk to me haha. i thought a 70 chevelle laying a inch off the ground tucking 22x11s would of been worth something, but the answer is no unless you live in or around cali.

We feature cars all over the country.. look in each issue. However, it's always going to be easier if you live in or around SoCal. It's just logistics. :shrug:

[Steve1968LS2]

Dear Steve

How far north is too Far
We will meet you 50 miles south of there. somewhere with nice back drop
Hows that sound.
I know it's a first gen and it didn't cost quite a bazillion $$$
but it is over the top............. i think

Does this sound like i'm groveling???? i hope not

lol.. shoot me some pics to [email protected] :)

It's not the cost of the car, but it's coolness factor that counts.. we feature sub $20k cars all the time. Again, look at Alcinos Mustang II.. total low-buck deal.

[steemin]

I was contacted by PHR about a doing a feature on my car.
This happened thru contacts (thanks Steve!) made on this site. :thumbsup:
I believe that often times they want to feature cars that will actually be driven. I was fortunate in that I was willing and able to take my car to a drag racing event for some track time and the feature shoot.

A word of caution:
If you are lucky enough to be picked for a feature be prepared to work your ass off :yes:
My cars shoot took 6 hours and me and my 2 buddies worked like borrowed mules the whole time... Moving the car,sometimes pushing the car while crouched behind the rear bumper for time lapse photos, picking up trash like cig butts that might be in the photo,adjusting light reflectors,holding a canopy over the car to dim the ambient lighting and even crawling under the car to hook-up camera mounting apparatus...
Oh and I almost forgot...fetching Johnny Hunkins Red Bulls whenever he snaps his fingers :hail:
Obviously no regrets but it is a lot of work!
Scott