Depending on your set up you may have free rein over the entire content, or have most or all of it supplied by the franchisor. If you have some input, or are setting up a magazine by yourself, you may wonder how best to fill your pages with gripping content that has readers retaining your magazine and passing it on to friends. Here are some tips to get you inspired:

Start by asking people in your target audience about the type of articles that interest them.

Look at other local publications and see what you can provide that is unique and different.

Make the most of local angles, and interview local ‘celebs’, and owners of interesting businesses.

Finally, if you are short on content, there are hundreds on websites that will provide you with free articles in return for an author credit. Just Google ‘article’, or check out the list at PRBasics.

Once your publication is up and running you will find local business owners and advertisers will be very keen to supply you with an article in return for a little extra space in your pages. Have fun finding articles for your community magazine.

Ø     57% of mothers who discussed the possibility of flexible working either got what they wanted or were able to reach a compromise with their employers

Ø     70% of these mothers felt that their job ranged from flexible to extremely flexible

There are still a high number of mothers who do not ask for flexible working and many who find it hard to achieve working patterns that meet their new lifestyles.  The results indicate that if you don’t ask, you don’t get:

Ø     47% of survey respondents have not discussed flexible working with their employers even though 83% of mothers wanted an employer’s acceptance of flexible working upon return

However, the majority of the mothers surveyed (55%), did not return to their original job after taking time out to have children and this is where achieving flexibility is still an issue:

Ø     Over 72% of mothers felt that the lack of appropriate and available flexible jobs is the biggest barrier to returning to work. Read Family Friendly Working for lots of ideas if you are looking for flexible work.

Ø     Many had taken a pay cut in order to be able to work flexibly, with 53% saying they earned less than before they had children even if they were to work full-time on their current rate of pay

“I am delighted that many women are achieving a positive balance when going back to work as they are taking control and being proactive in their approach to flexible working.” says Gillian Nissim, founder of WorkingMums.co.uk.   “However there remains a large number of women who continue to be unaware of their rights to work flexibly or unable to discuss this with their employers.   What’s clear is that mothers need to maintain communications with their employers to achieve a mutually beneficial ongoing working relationship.”

Many women reported that by managing the contact they had with their employer, they experienced a far smoother transition back into the workplace.  Over three quarters of mothers surveyed said that their employers were supportive upon their return to work.  The survey also found that 70% of mothers who returned to work to the same employer after maternity leave did so, on a part-time basis.

Respondents reported that occasional contact with their teams, access to work emails as well as invitations to social events during their maternity leave all proved beneficial for when it was time to return. 

“Maintaining relationships with colleagues and employers is clearly very important – unsurprisingly, mums want to be kept in the loop and feel part of the team.  Sometimes the perception is that it is the employer’s obligation to keep in contact, but like any good relationship, it’s important to talk to each other.”

Ø Find out what your rights are by looking online, and talk to friends who have requested flexible working

Ø Research your company’s policy on flexible working and find out the experience of others who have applied for it

Ø Before you go on maternity leave, work out the contact level and regularity you would like to maintain with your employer. Ask for things that would help make your transition smoother, e.g. refresher training, access to email, participation in team meetings via the phone

Ø Assess your situation and work out what suits you best: for example the ability to work from home, part-time or flexi hours and also childcare options. Make use of “Keeping In Touch” days.

Ø Think about what you want from your company’s perspective and consider whether it is beneficial for them too. Take the time with your employer to discuss flexible working and why it would be positive for the company and you

For more ideas about flexible and family friendly working, visit www.familyfriendlyworking.co.uk and www.WorkingMums.co.uk, a thriving jobsite offering support and opportunities to professional women looking for flexible, part-time office and home-based opportunities and full time jobs with family friendly employers.