The last several years have been a bumpy course for print publications. With the digital age bringing an overwhelming level of competition to the traditional journalism industry, print magazines are struggling to prevent people from trading paper for computer and mobile screens. When the internet first took the stage, having your publication online was a matter of preference. However, now a digital presence is a practically a necessity. Publications are realizing that in order to survive, they must evolve. And that means jumping onto the digital media bandwagon. Don’t worry. This doesn’t mean print is dead. However, learning how to make an online magazine can help you syndicate your publication in a way that reaches untapped audiences and builds revenue.
Discover how to go about this game-changing strategy in order to reap the benefits.
The Benefits of Creating a Digital Magazine
Whether you’re a business looking for an attention-grabbing marketing strategy or an existing or new publication looking to build your audience, creating a digital magazine is an excellent way to boost your business.
But if you’re new to digital marketing, you may be asking “why?” and “Is it really worth the time and effort?”
For most businesses and publications, the answer is a resounding yes! However, to verify you should ask yourself these 2 questions.
Is There an Existing Market for My Digital Magazine?
If you’re already an existing publication, your success thus far should answer this question for you. However, if you are just starting out or you’re a business exploring this new avenue, the first step in learning how to make an online magazine should be to research the demand for a publication like the one you want to create.
Start by identifying your target audience and their habits.
Are there existing digital magazines in your industry that appeal to them?
If so, how are they performing?
In this case, competition is a good sign. You want to tap into an existing market. Make your publication feed an existing need and you’ll know exactly who to aim it toward.
Do I Have the Budget for a Digital Magazine?
Question number two has to do with money: can you afford the startup costs, production, and marketing for your digital magazine?
Creating a digital magazine is surprisingly affordable. However, the cost to produce the content for every issue and market that issue so it reaches your audience and generates conversions is going to be a lot higher.
The good news is this: a good digital magazine can have a strong ROI. Unlike print magazines, your production costs are minimal. The biggest challenge is simply establishing awareness and building your readership. Print magazines need to do this as well.
Once you have those two things, the profits will start rolling in. However, it takes a good financial backing to gain enough momentum to get there. Take your time to research and establish a campaign strategy for your digital magazine, as well as your expected cost to put it into practice.
Realize that a digital magazine is not a sprint, but a marathon. In order to be profitable, you have to be in it for the long run.
If it fits within your budget, it’s worth pursuing.
The Benefits You’ll Reap by Creating a Digital Magazine
Understanding how to make an online magazine can lead to multiple advantages for your business or publication, including:
- Expanding your revenue channels
- Creating a new avenue for digital marketing
- Improving your SEO with consistent, fresh content
With a clear inbound marketing strategy, you have the ability to really syndicate a digital magazine through advertising, word-of-mouth, and viral opportunities.
Unlike traditional marketing methods, digital marketing has proven to have a significantly lower cost per conversion, as well as a much higher profit margin thanks to its efficient tools.
Using demographics collected through user data, you can zero in on the audience most likely to want to engage with your digital magazine.
Build a social media presence, have a mobile responsive website and upsell the interactive features of your digital publication to create a formula for online success.
It’s an approach utilized by various businesses, both within and beyond the journalism industry with proven success.
Just ask Foundr, an online magazine who went from earning $5.50 for their first issue to amassing more than 581,000 followers. Opportunity is there if you’re willing to put in the effort to tap into it.
How to Make an Online Magazine
Transforming your magazine’s print file into an interactive, digital magazine isn’t as difficult as you may think. MagLoft has broken it down into a simple, 3-step process almost anyone can do.
1. Create a PDF Design of Your Magazine
Step one starts with the magazine’s initial design. Before you begin, you will need to complete the issue from front-to-back, including the table of contents, layout, imagery, and body copy.
While there is an editing stage in this process, you should not consider your PDF a draft. Rather, view it as the next step after your issue is ready for publication. All of your proofreading and approvals should be completed before you take this step.
However, once you’re ready it’s as simple as uploading a PDF version of your publication to the online software.
2. Integrate Interactive Media for Better Engagement
Next, you’ll want to enhance your digital publication.
Upload and place related videos and other interactive media relevant to this issue’s content. After all, this is a digital magazine with more advanced capabilities than traditional paper.
Take advantage of these opportunities by upgrading your magazine to more than just literature; make it an experience with:
- Exclusive Videos
- Photo Sliders
- Audio Clips
- Animated GIFs
The MagLoft software gives you tools to integrate these elements into the publication you’ve uploaded for a seamless interactive display.
3. Edit and Customize for the Digital User Experience
Want to take it up a notch? Utilize the drag-and-drop tools or coding to create additional interactive pages.
These extras are great selling features to encourage your readership to purchase and download digital copies of your publication.
Ready to Get Started?
Now that you know how to make an online magazine, put it into practice! MagLoft makes transforming your magazine into a digital publication affordable and easy.
