Take a Second Look at Design

It would be easy to get into a design rut: you have a specific look to your magazine which is comfortable for you and your readers. But now that you have a digital edition, it’s time to take a second look at the layout. Does it still inspire readers to turn the page? Does it function well in a digital environment? Does it even look good on a screen?

Take AAA Southern New England (SNE) for example. From the beginning, they treated their print and digital platforms as separate tools for their brand. In their print publication, they provide readers with long-form stories and articles in the format readers expect. But then they create a digital-only publication, Horizons, in which they pack each page with consumable content coupled with engaging animations and rich media. Click here to view a preview issue of their magazine.

The second design element to note is the optimization for reading on multiple screens. The landscape design takes advantage of all the real estate afforded any size screen and makes it easy for readers to view. Having their content available on any device reinforces their brand as a traveler’s resource. (Note: You cannot view the preview edition on mobile devices. This is a membership magazine exclusive to AAA SNE members.)

In typical AAA style, Horizons establishes itself as a rich knowledge base and an engaging read by baking rich media directly in the design. They know this works because they watch the in-depth analytics provided with each digital edition. They also encourage readers to take a survey, located in the top toolbar, so they can hear feedback straight from the readers.

AAA SNE made the original list of 7 Sensational Digital Editions for 2011. If you’d like to hear other sensational stories with in-depth looks at what each publisher does well, sign up for this webinar, held 9:00 am EST (2:00 pm UTC/GMT).

Response to Optimized Ads: “They’re prime sales leads.”

The highlight of last week, for me, was Thursday. That afternoon we had the pleasure of sponsoring a webinar through BtoB Magazine which was all about explaining the mechanics and benefits of optimizing digital editions. The speakers did an excellent job breaking down both the business ramifications and the design considerations necessary for a successful optimization strategy.

My favorite quote of the hour-long webinar came from Alan Berg, Vice President of TechGen Media Group, as he related the overwhelming response to advertising in the digital-only, optimized editions:

"Some advertisers were not used to getting sales leads. They said, ‘what do I do with them?’ We said, ‘Well, they clicked on your URL or your video. They’re prime sales leads. Contact them.’ And they’re doing it, and some have had so many sales leads, a few of them, that they’re ecstatic and they don’t know what to do."

Hear more from Alan Berg and from Rich Media Director at Cygnus Business Media, Dave Haglund, by viewing the archived webinar here.

During the webinar a few questions were asked but time prevented a response. Here are some of their answers now:

1. Are digital editions search engine friendly? The short answer is yes. The long answer involves understanding how we attach an XML file of all your content to your edition, which is then indexed by search engines like google and bing.

2. What is the cost of an optimized magazine? It varies. Variables include page or word count, and how much your team will tackle versus how much you’d like Nxtbook to handle for you. The easiest way to get a figure for your magazine would be to call one of us at 866-268-1219 and ask about optimization.

3. Can a digital magazine work on Apple devices? Absolutely. The whole goal of digital optimization is to make sure your content looks stunning and innovative on every device, including the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch as well as Android devices. We virtually eliminate the need to zoom, add videos, and enhance the overall experience for the reader so they can sit back and enjoy.

If you missed the webinar, or if you would like to revisit it again, click here to be taken to the archive link.

Questions Answered from the Education Webinar

Just yesterday, Nxtbook was proud to be a part of a webinar held by University Business which delved into digital editions in the education industry. If you missed it, you can register here to listen to the archived event. After the webinar, some people submitted questions, and I wanted to take a moment to address them here as more than just the webinar attendees may be wondering the same things.

"I have noticed flash mentioned a few times. Will this work on iPhones or iPads?"

Yes! We offer several options to get your materials on iOS devices, including web and native apps. You can check out one native app example by going here and downloading it to your iPad or iPhone.

"Would you consider replacing some web pages/sites with this format – or duplicating information on both?"

This question was originally directed at speaker Sherri Miles who talked about what Suffolk University did with their website and digital edition. (Click here to hear her presentation.) However, Nxtbook has long recommended that you consider digital edition a separate platform. Some of our clients do duplicate the information, but they’ll add extra content in the digital version. Other clients are successful by using the website to drive traffic to the digital edition for further information (like Sherri mentions), and vice versa. The two platforms work best when they complement each other, but each has its own separate value offering.

"What does a successful model look like? What kind of investment is required for every 10,000 viewers we could attract?"

That is a very specific question! We have clients who are very successful in what they do; the key is knowing how you define success. If your definition is to attract 10,000 views, then you need a model that focuses on circulation. If your definition of success is getting alumni to donate $10,000, then your strategy is going to focus much more on making getting reader feedback (and money!) seamless. The best way to get more information about success stories or to process what ROI means for you, get in contact with one of our Success Managers. Their job titles alone should tell you they know about successful models.

"Would a text-only version, or otherwise accessible digital publication, also be available online?"

Yes. We provide accessible versions for those who would like to offer that as a service to their readers. Additionally, you can offer your readers BOTH options, like Bold Voices did here, giving readers the ability to flip pages normally, or to click the "Text View" button in the toolbar to see the text pulled out.

"Will I get a copy of these presentations?"

Absolutely. Check your inbox for an email from us.

A Webinar for You Education Types

Looking for some insider information about how to use digital editions in the education industry? We’ve got you covered. We have asked industry expert and long-time senior editor Sherri Miles to talk about some of the best practices she’s seen in digital publishing for educational facilities.

To hear Sherri Miles speak, you can click here to register for a webinar hosted by University Business and Nxtbook Media next week, October 4, at 2:00 pm EST. The webinar will touch on points such as why a digital edition is crucial to your audience today, what kinds of questions you should ask when looking for the best platform, and what kind of results you should look to see.

Click here to register. To read more information about the speaker, you can visit her website here.

Digital Catalog Webinar LIVE in a Week

Next week, September 27 at 2:00pm EST Multichannel Merchant in conjunction with Nxtbook Media is offering a strategy-based webinar for everyone who has ever published or ever considered publishing a digital catalog. (Click here to register.)

In this webinar, two speakers will share their stories about what worked and what didn’t when approaching digital catalogs. You can expect to hear some of the following:

  – Why going digital works: Discover why these companies ultimately decided to go digital, and how their catalogs work with – and surpass – other media

 - Which features matter: With all the bells and whistles available today, hear which ones make a difference in these real scenarios

 - How it all comes together: From production to publishing, learn what processes and benchmarks to use, and how to measure your success

Straight Talk for Your Digital Catalog Strategy

The right strategy wins, whether you’re talking about business, publications, or an approach to just about anything. With that in mind, it might be time to re-evaluate your strategy to digital catalogs.

If you find yourself asking questions like, "how does my digital catalog work as a profit center?" or "what features are important to customers?" or "how do my results compare to everyone else’s?" then I’d recommend you attend the webinar entitled Straight Talk: Digital Catalog Strategy on September 27, 2:00 EST.

In this webinar, hosted by MultiChannel Merchant and Nxtbook Media, two businesses will explain their approach to digital catalogs. Among other objectives, they’ll touch on different points of strategy, and what has worked for their companies. If you have questions, they’ll give answers. Register now to secure your spot for this event.

Last Chance for the Live Event

At 2:00 EDT on Thursday, July 21 Folio: is hosting a webinar entitled "Case Studies in Custom Publishing."

Why should you attend? Because if you’re in the content publishing business, you need to find ways to get your material ahead of the rest. Custom publishing helps you offer new services to your audience to generate buzz, offer an immersive user experience, and to help you leap past your competition. It gives you the ability to marry your company’s marketing and distribution goals with new services created to wow and inform your target audience. With "Case Studies in Custom Publishing" you’ll have the opportunity to learn from other businesses who have successfully used custom projects and to ask the speakers any questions you may have. Of course, you can ask the Nxtbook Creative Services Team for their technical and creative expertise before, during, and after the event.

Click here to register.

Success Team Workshops: A Must for Clients

As a service to our clients, the Nxtbook Success Team hosts monthly webinars geared toward helping clients tackle tasks associated with publishing. Today’s "Success Team Workshop," as Success Manager Todd Reinhart calls it, focused on building circulation and featured Success Managers Todd Reinhart and Adam Grim, Project Manager Angela Bauman, and Director of Email Campaigns Mallory Weiss.

Though I probably should have been live-blogging the material, here are a few snippets of the conversation clients in attendance heard:

"40-50% of visits to your digital edition is going to come from your email campaign." – Angela

"[Email] reaches your busy readers who don’t have time to search for you." – Mallory

"Some say social media is the panacea that is going to save our industry," while others say there’s no way to measure ROI. – Adam

"[Website promotion] enhances your digital publication’s opinion in the eyes of search engines." – Angela

When considering email, consider all elements: subject line, branding, consistency, text v. image, free marketing tools from Nxtbook, tying into social media. – Mallory

"AddToAny found that 88.9% of link sharing is done through social media." – Adam

And those are just some highlights. If you’re a Nxtbook Media client and you want to participate in the Nxtbook Success Team workshop, look for the next webinar’s information in the Nxt-Steps newsletter. Of course, if you have a "Best Practice" you want to share with the Success Team to be featured on a webinar, or if you have a request for a webinar topic, contact your Success Team.

Case Studies in Custom Publishing Webinar

Custom publishing is constantly being redefined as it shifts and grows in the marketplace. Some use custom publishing to increase engagement with their current audience, set their content miles apart from their competition, and boost brand awareness across new mediums. Others seek to create something their audience can really be excited about and engage with, while still others use it to discover a niche audience for their brand. 

On Thursday, July 21 at 2:00 EST/EDT, you have the opportunity to hear case studies in custom publishing in a free webinar hosted by Folio: and sponsored by Nxtbook Media. In one hour, three speakers will explain how they used custom publishing to achieve their goals. There will even be time for you to ask questions.

Register for the webinar by clicking above or by clicking here.

For more information on the speakers, click here.

Just Hours Away

We are just a few hours away from our free webinar, Creating Commerce with Digital Catalogs. Don’t miss this opportunity to sign up and learn how digital catalogs contribute to conversions in the B2B and B2C marketplace. In this webinar, Caroline Ashmore of GRESSCO and Meg Duskin of ASHA will describe some of the reasons why their companies decided to produce digital catalogs, what ways they distribute and market the material, and lessons they’ve learned along the way. This is a can’t-miss opportunity for you to learn from others’ experiences.

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