Case Study in Brief: Grab New Readers with Native Apps!

Apps, apps, apps – we can’t get away from them at the moment. The publishing trade press is awash with stories about how the iPad will transform the publishing industry, increase circulation and revenue and everyone from Hugh Hefner to the small, independent publisher is getting in on the action. Most publishers though just want to know if creating and buying an app is a worthy investment for their magazine brand. We tell the story of one publisher who found it was:

Elcot Publications launched the digital only version of their regional business magazine back in September. For any new magazine circulation and readership is a key concern; but, for a digital only title it’s essential to ensure your content is across the web and tablet devices to take full advantage of potential new readers. We worked closely with the team at Elcot to create a branded, customised app for them, featuring a digital catalogue of their magazine and archived issues.

No one was happier than I was when the client came back to me and questioned the reader and visitors number after receiving their weekly tracking report: what was with the sudden increase in page views and visits (up by just over 34%)? Looking in this we were pleasantly surprised to find a large number of readers had chosen to download the new native app to their iPad/iPhone. Not only did this fact show their readers to be technologically savvy, but also that their iPad app was actively encouraging new readers into their content.

So can creating an iPad/iPhone app increase circulation for a magazine? Yes but we’re not suggesting just signing up for an app alone will have an impact on your reader figures. The clients who are having success in this area are using their iPad apps as part of a much wider digital publishing strategy. They are designing and optimising content for the web, they are actively marketing their content across a variety of devices and tablets and sending out targeted e-mail campaigns. Like anything an app is only as successful as the marketing behind it. Elcot has actively promoted the launch and development of their app over the last few months, and their readers are well aware of the options available to them. Working closely with you the team at Nxtbook will help you do all of this. At Nxtbook we are able to offer both browser based and native/branded apps that your readers can download from the iTunes store. You can talk to your Account Manager about finding the right solution for you.

The Business Magazine:Digital can be downloaded free from the Apple store, please find link below:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-business-magazine/id400449725?mt=8

 

 

Best of the UK…..

In the States we’ve been helping publishers generate revenue through rich media and sponsorship positions in their Nxtbooks for over 8 years. If you needed inspiration from another 40pg monthly title that had been increasing revenue through up-selling banner ads we could easily source a sample of publisher who had been there and done it. Our Digital Revenue Guide www.bestofnxtbook.com has made us the first choice for some of the worlds’ most forward thinking publishers who want to ensure their digital magazines work as long term investments. However if you’re in Europe and just getting started with digital over 40 sponsorship positions and rich media elements to choose from can leave you wondering where to start. With this in mind we have come up a UK version of our popular revenue guide – The Best of Nxtbook (UK), reflecting what our publishers are currently finding successful. This includes a variety of blow-in cards, flash animation and ad-gen features to up-sell to advertisers along with interactive ways of engaging readers through slide-shows, surveys and video elements. Click on the link to see what UK publishers are doing to make their digital editions successful: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxteu/NxtbookMedia/bonb2010_amber/ – For support, advice and training on generating revenue through your digital publication contact your Nxtbook Account Manager who will be able to advise.

 

So what else is happening this side of the pond? Well for the 3rd year in a row the European office is supporting Key 103 Radio’s Cash for Kids Campaign, a great charity that embraces what Christmas is all about raising money for toys for local families, please find details below:

http://www.key103.co.uk/Article.asp?id=2024449&spid=24139 

 

Nxtbook Media: Speaking your language

No speak Americano? No problemo. Here at Nxtbook Media we speak your language; at our European HQ we are working with publishers to create European and world language versions of their publications for international readers.

Have a look at one our clients stylish Italian travel brochures with Italian language:

www.nxtbook.com/nxteu/TourismIreland/italy#/0

Another client has launched a French version of their popular UK electronics industry title, allowing French readers a detailed insight into the industry.

www.nxtbook.com/nxteu/electronicspecifier/201006-fr/

We can create Nxtbooks in over 20 languages, so if you’re looking to replicate your English language version for a new audience talk to your Account Manager who will be able to advise.

Quiet Nights in with Sky1HD

Leading British broadcaster BSkyB have launched their Autumn programme for the UK most popular entertainment channel Sky1 (now in high definition) and what’s more they’ve used the Nxtbook format to do so. Showcasing some great British dramas, classic comedies and upcoming entertainment, Sky have incorporated video throughout the publication to give readers a glimpse of what they can expect to see on their screens on those cold winter nights.

With all content optimised for the screen and customised landing page, Sky have really enhanced their digital publication, allowing readers to choose full screen mode or open in their normal browsers as they wish.  Check out the Autumn programme below:

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxteu/bskyb/sky1_autumn1011/#/0

Success Stories from the UK

Another week sees another Nxtbook Media client in the UK go that bit further to make their digital editions a success. Whether it’s taking a more strategic approach to generating revenue through the nxtbook or enhancing the reader experience through new features, our publishers are embracing the capabilities of Nxtbook’s technology. They’re taking advantage of the range of opportunities available to create fully interactive, searchable and high quality digital editions.

Here’s a few examples of what our publishers are doing:

Nxtbook UK client NewsCo understands that different readers have different reading requirements so has used a customised ‘zoom feature’ in the toolbar, allowing the reader to set the zoom level to at their own comfort level: http://www.nxtbook/nxteu/newsco/southparade/

City University London introduced the digital magazine to their readers by designing an easy to use instruction panel, showing readers how they can get the most from the digital experience by sharing content, linking pages and customising viewing preferences: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxteu/cityuniv/alumni2010/#/0

We offer advertisers the chance to give their adverts the WOW factor with flash animation, increased page views and click-through rates; Electronic Specifier uses their nxtbook to source the most relevant videos on the web with technical updates from their industry: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxteu/electronicspecifier/201004/#/46

To follow the footsteps of these UK publishers, contact Nxtbook Media and ask for today’s tools for success! 

The Rise and Rise of the Digital Only Magazine

First, a quick introduction; I’m Amber Stevens, one of our Sales and Account Managers at our European Head Office in the UK and I’ll be posting regular updates with a UK perspective on new ideas and successes in digital publishing. Talking of strategies for success here in the UK, we’re seeing a rise in launches of ‘digital only’ magazines…….Taking the digital only approach allows publishers to launch new titles without the usual worries of print and distribution costs, leaving them to get on with the important things such as generating advertising revenue and building readership.

One of our UK clients has one step ahead of the game and has used their digital only magazine to test the water, bringing together new content and and new readers for a completely new experience. Not only did this publisher design their magazine for the digital format, but they also have monthly ‘Digital Development Meetings’ discussing how they can offer readers even more rich media and interaction opportunities and advertisers increased click-through and further page engagement. As they get ready for their first issue, our team will be able to advise them on linking with blogs and forums to build up a solid readership base and increase their web presence. Their lucky readers will also be able to download iPhone and iPad apps to access their content on the go. Sounds like a recipe for success! Click on the link below to see their trial issue:

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxteu/elcot/thebusiness/#/1/OnePage

If you’re considering launching a digital only title contact your local Account Manager who will be happy to organise a consultation session with you to help get you started.