Trade publications are industry-specific publications that provide news, discussions, and profiles of key industry figures. They use trade jargon and are affiliated with commercial organizations. Researchers and industry insiders write articles, and they are informative for those interested in particular industries. Obtaining them can be difficult as they are restricted to certain professional organizations.
A trade publication is a publication marketed to people working in a specific industry. Casket & Sunnyside, for example, was a popular trade publication aimed at funeral directors that developed a cult following due to its prominent presence in funeral industry expos. Typically, trade publications have little or no interest to people who are not involved in the industry, although they are occasionally used by researchers interested in a particular industry’s standards and practices. There are several ways to obtain trade publications, ranging from shopping in well-stocked magazine racks to membership in professional organizations.
You can use a number of features to distinguish a trade publication, also called a trade journal, from other types of publications. The former is focused on a very narrow topic, such as cosmetic dental implants or supply chain management. The second is a tendency to use trade jargon, with publication editors assuming that readers are familiar with a trade’s terminology. A third common feature is affiliation with a commercial organization, with many professional organizations publishing their own trade journals.
Content in a trade publication typically includes the latest news on developments in the field, along with in-depth discussions of new practices and technologies. If laws affecting the industry are passed, a trade publication will discuss the terms of those laws and the consequences for people in the industry. Many publications also include profiles of up and comers and key industry lights, creating a form of networking for people in the industry to get to know each other.
Articles in a trade publication are usually written by key industry insiders, along with consultants who provide interdisciplinary advice when needed. For example, a trade publication focused on trucking might ask an attorney to create a guest column on changes in laws affecting trucking, to ensure the information is useful and factually accurate. Researchers may also choose to use a commercial publication to unveil new research findings.
While trade publications aren’t really intended for the general public, reading such publications can be informative, interesting, and sometimes fascinating. For people interested in particular industries or issues, getting trade publications can be quite enlightening. People in the food policy field, for example, often obtain materials that are intended for use by people in the agricultural sector, using the information on standard practices these publications provide to highlight problems with the food system. The widespread practice of using specialist exhibition magazines from certain industries has made it difficult to obtain some specialist magazines, with the release of such materials restricted to individuals who belong to certain professional organisations.
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