The Making of the New Project "Profile Book" - Behind the Scenes of the HOMINIS Editorial Meeting

Hello.

Are you familiar with the web media "HOMINIS"? HOMINIS is a web media outlet that publishes information focusing on "people" active in various fields, from actors, idols, voice actors, and comedians to athletes and cultural figures.

"Supporting your passions and creating opportunities for new interests" is our motto, and we aim to create articles that entertainment-loving readers can enjoy.

At HOMINIS, we create about 100-120 articles every month, and the editorial team discusses and selects the topics based on content being broadcast or streamed at the time, as well as notable figures.

For example, we might publish a column on Yuko Takeuchi when the popular drama "Lunch Queen" is being broadcast on CS, or

publish an interview with Yuta Koseki and Iroha Okuda to coincide with the currently running stage play "Romeo & Juliet".

To help even more people enjoy reading HOMINIS, we want to create an original project that makes people think, "This is the kind of project HOMINIS is known for!"

So, this time, I will introduce the process from conception to publication of HOMINIS's new original project, the "Profile Book."

Step 1: Determine the project target

First, we think about the target for the project within the editorial team.
When considering the target, we discuss "who we want to read it" and "what kind of reaction we want to get," while also basing it on our actual readership.

This time, we are creating a project that is highly compatible with HOMINIS readers and idol fans, who react well on social media, to make it fun to read and a catalyst for fans to get excited together!

Step 2: Conduct interviews with the target

What kind of articles do idol-loving readers want to read?
The thoughts members put into their songs, introductions by celebrities who support the same group as them, conversations between members, etc.

To ensure the information readers are looking for and the project do not diverge, we conduct interviews with the target demographic.

We gather idol fans within the company and ask them about elements that could become pieces of an article idea, such as:
・Favorite group/member and how they got hooked
・Frequency of going to concerts/money spent on merchandise
・Media used for gathering information
・Are there any celebrities who know more about their favorite than they do?
・What kind of information (articles) would they want to read?
といった、記事案の欠片になる要素を聞き集めていきます。

Step 3: Create and narrow down project proposals

After interviewing the target, we create concrete project proposals within the editorial team.

Here are some of the things that came up as "information idol fans are looking for" from the interviews this time:
・Basic information
・Things they like/are hooked on
・Secret information not yet known
・Relationships between members
・Support messages from famous producers
・(For groups with popular visuals) Newly taken photos
Some even had deep requests like "I want to know their shoe size" or "I want to see newly taken photos of my favorite in cosplay."

From here, we share concrete project ideas within the editorial team and narrow them down from perspectives such as "Is it feasible?" and "Is there a real need for it? (Can we make it something people want to read on HOMINIS that isn't available in other media?)"

Step 4: Create the article format

Based on the "information idol fans are looking for," the project we came up with this time is a "Profile Book" packed with member information.

The 'profile book,' which was popular among elementary school students in the early 2000s, is an item where you write your own profile and exchange it with friends.
Many of you may have memories of exchanging them with close friends, as well as with people you wanted to get to know better or someone you liked.

We chose the 'profile book' format because it not only summarizes member information but is also fun for idol fans to read and collect. We hope it becomes a catalyst for people to look at and grow fond of other members and groups as well.

It includes everything from basic information like birthdays and blood types to daily routines, recent photos, and even secret stories.

We have also prepared a wide variety of color options so that we can adapt to the image of each group and member.

Step 5: Request the agency and publish the article!

Once the format is ready, it is finally time to request the article from the agency.
We share the format and have the members fill out their profiles.

The profile books created in this way are shown here.

▽ Tsubaki Factory's Profile Book

▽ Jams Collection's Profile Book

HOMINIS will continue to create articles and projects that you can enjoy reading and immerse yourself in what you love! Please feel free to read them whenever you feel like it.

▽ HOMINIS

▽ Information is also being distributed on our official SNS!

https://twitter.com/HOMINIS_edit