Q: What can I learn about digital readers?

A:  There’s plenty to learn about digital subscribers! 

Texterity’s BPA Worldwide-certified digital magazine reader survey conducted – the 2009 Profile of the Digital Edition Reader – shows there is a lot to learn about digital readers – especially since the market is growing.  Most importantly, digital readers take action – with over 91% of the readers surveyed taking one or more actions when reading ads or articles, such as discussing an article with a colleague, looking at an advertiser’s website or emailing an ad or article to a friend. You can get more statistics about what digital edition readers are interested in by requesting free survey information here: www.texterity.com/info-request.   

Through tracking and reporting, Texterity digital editions provide a myriad of statistics for you to analyze – and lead generation tools that can help you monitor usage, visitors and what’s being read. You can use this information to test different covers, compare the popularity of features, and follow content navigation. It’s a great way for editors and publishers to get immediate feedback and is much quicker and less expensive than through a traditional focus group.  Not only can you get feedback for your own staff, but you can offer advertisers valuable data to help justify your ad rate base – and to give them deeper insight into their customers’ behavior.

Q: Do digital editions work on the iPhone?

A: Yes!

Unlike competitors who have flash-based products, Texterity's technology is fully compatible with the iPhone. In fact, Texterity was the first digital provider to create a program specifically designed for Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch. Through participating publishers, users can immediately access any Texterity digital edition without needing a special add-on or plug-in. Texterity’s Published Web Format (PWF) format accommodates the Safari browser on the iPhone, but works fast regardless of the browser used.

In offering a mobile web program, Texterity created a Digital Magazine iPhone Interface & Portal. Here users can instantly view a collection of 50-plus magazines as they were originally published, with all pages intact and completely readable. With one tap of the finger, users can enjoy these magazines anywhere, anytime. For circulators, this convenience addresses the delivery requests of even the most demanding subscribers.

Texterity’s iPhone editions provide “One-Click” access, the ability to see page thumbnails, and unlike Kindle, a high-quality, full-color digital replica of the print edition in its original layout, including articles, ads, and graphics. Circulators will want to watch Texterity’s pipeline where a new iPhone app is in development which will further integrate the digital edition into the reading experience–for users, publishers and advertisers. For users, it will make the digital edition a one-stop destination for information gathering, entertainment, and shopping. For publishers, it will become an exciting way to brand the product and update content instantly. For advertisers, it will open up new ways to promote, sell, and drive foot traffic to retail locations.

Learn more about the current iPhone program at: http://texterity.com/iPhone

Q: Can digital support social media?

A: Of course!

Social Media is the rage for readers these days–which means it’s time for publishers to join the conversation. A digital edition offers an easy way to integrate social media into your marketing mix, placing your content in front of subscriber prospects and influencers who might not otherwise see it.

Texterity’s new Coverleaf Reader helps publishers use social media to put their content in motion. This user interface displays an assortment of familiar social networking icons so readers can directly connect with their favorite networks–making it easy to share content and virally promote a publication. Social media opens the door for dialogue about magazine articles, topics of interest, products, and events, establishing a trusted user community that will continuously grow.

Take for example, www.coverleaf.com, which is the consumer magazine service provided by Texterity. Once consumers utilize the digital edition, they have the option to save articles by clipping them, e-mailing them, and posting them to social networks–all of which builds brand recognition on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Tens of thousands of people clip Coverleaf articles each month, and the number of people reading articles from a social network is on the rise–making social media a significant marketing force supported and propelled by the digital edition.

Q: Can you make navigation easier?

A: Absolutely. Check out the Coverleaf Reader.

The Coverleaf Reader is Texterity’s next generation user interface that adds functionality and finesse to an already-exciting platform. This technology builds on the attributes of Texterity’s magazine service at www.coverleaf.com and addresses many of the “wants” expressed by publishers and their readers.

In addition to a fresh, intuitive layout that displays horizontally (as the eye reads; no wasted time for “flipping” pages), there are now many new features. A panel of drawers lets viewers see a persistent table of contents, list of links, and page thumbnails at-a-glance. In the navigation bar, a page locator lets readers “jump” to the page of choice as well as zoom in to multiple magnifications. Readers can also subscribe on-the-spot.

One and two-page formats, hot zones denoted by arrows, and scroll-over cover lines make it easy to read according to personal preference. Digital content can be enjoyed offline, downloaded to print, shared, saved, clipped, organized, sent to a friend, or posted on a social network. Texterity’s digital editions can also be accessed on an iPhone or iPod touch so they are as mobile as your readers.

Unparalleled clarity characterizes the Coverleaf Reader where content is crisp and clean even at maximum zoom—and access is fast without Flash dependency. We encourage publishers to check out the samples at http://www.texterity.com/samples.

Q: How do I convince a non-believer?

A: Ability to search, share and save money.

Not everyone is ready to consider a digital edition, but the benefits are clear according to the 2009 Survey of the Digital Edition Reader. This new study, conducted by Texterity with BPA Worldwide certified results, reports 90% satisfaction among the 33,784 digital edition readers polled. 92% read their issues within a week and 52% read it immediately or the same day. Over 91% take action on ads and articles.

Why do these people like digital editions? They say, “environmentally friendly,” “easy to save,” and “ability to search,” but this year there are other indicators that support the efficacy of digital: “more convenient than print,” “more timely,” “easy to forward--and even more telling: 25% now say that want “smart phone” access which digital accommodates.

In addition to reducing production, printing, and distribution costs, digital can be used to leverage print. Texterity’s Coverleaf model (www.coverleaf.com) provides free digital companions for paid print subscribers. What a great way to add value! Encourage your “non-believer” to call Texterity at 800-455-5450 and ask about a FREE demo. Fast, crisp images, hot-linked ads, and integrated business systems just might convince them that the digital future is here.

Q: Can I get help going digital?

A: Absolutely – Texterity offers complete service and support.

As a publishing partner, Texterity believes in a collaborative, consultative approach. Upon initiating a full service order, each publisher (big or small) is assigned a customer service team to guide them through the process. Texterity handles print-to-digital conversion, issue maintenance/archiving, delivery, and tracking – or just the portions you need.

To begin, an account manager and project manager invite key people to a set-up meeting to discuss needs, preferences, specs, and timetables. Tech personnel are on hand to guide designers in file preparation and upload. As part of Texterity’s full service offerings, staff experts provide circulation analysis, best practices sessions (on topics such as e-mail messaging and revenue generation), and other resources like whitepapers, samples, and demos. Brainstorming is always welcomed! Give us a challenge – and we’ll give you some solutions.

Texterity also conducts training to assure complete understanding of and access to the tracking system. E-mail deployment is followed by distribution reports that adhere to audit standards. With proven experience in both technology and publishing, Texterity offers a seamless business experience for publishers – and an unparalleled reading experience for subscribers.

Q: Can I access back issues digitally?

A: Yes – we keep archives.

One nice thing about digital delivery is that you can enjoy a paper-free library, at your fingertips. Unlike a random web search, the content you retrieve represents the same caliber as in the print publication, and you’re seeing it in the original layout, complete with bylines and graphics.

By viewing Back Issues/Archives, you can quickly eyeball the covers as thumbnails, then click through to access the information you need. You can glance at the pages in a swoop or refer to the Table of Contents for each. Search features help locate the articles, words or phrases you seek. A list of links can supplement your resources. Once found, you can send the page to yourself by e-mail or download it to print.

Publishers can restrict the viewing of back issues just as with current issues. “Look Inside” will gray out the pages you want obscured, at which point the prospect can be intercepted with a purchase offer. Some publishers ask Texterity to archive back issues never before digitized because this is an offering that adds value for subscribers and advertisers alike.

Q:  Can you clip pages out of a digital edition?

A: Yes – if you visit www.coverleaf.com

Coverleaf is Texterity’s magazine service where you can browse, search, save, and share. One of the favorite features here is that readers can clip content and organize it in “My Stuff.” Even if you’re not a subscriber, you can sign up to clip. Just like setting up any e-mail account, you’ll be asked to enter your e-mail address and create a password.

Coverleaf lets you look inside all the magazines. Some have limited access if you’re not a subscriber, but you can still clip from them, and of course, you can purchase them. Once clipped, this is the beginning of your own personal “library.” You can send your clipping to a friend, print it or save it for future reference. Coverleaf readers say that clipping helps them find information quickly and reduce clutter. Recipes and how-to tips are particularly popular.

Soon this clipping technology will be available on Texterity’s new user interface, aptly named the “Coverleaf Reader.” Just one more way that digital delivery is making life greener and easier.

Q:  Can you put a video into a digital edition?

A:  Absolutely!

Multimedia enrichment is one of the virtues of digital delivery. In a digital edition it’s easy to expand content and enhance the reading experience with rich media. Not only video – but Texterity can embed your audio clip, slide show, survey, or even replace a full page with one that is interactive.

Because Texterity’s Published Web Format retains and replicates your high quality print layout, we encourage digital designers to plan for multimedia. Videos are effective when placed in editorial content as author interviews and to impart related information. Videos placed into digital ads are a great way to demonstrate product and add depth to a sales pitch. Even an electronic blow-in card containing a subscription or membership offer can include a personal video message from the publisher or director. What a great way to attract attention!

To see a sample of multimedia integration, visit http://demo.texterity.com/demos/calabasas/. Go to “Pages” in the navigation bar and check out a very cool ad on page 87. Not only will you see an embedded video, but you can have some fun playing with the call-outs from the buttons on the bottle.

Q: Is a PDF the best way to distribute a whitepaper?

A: No – not if you want to capture leads and revenue

When someone downloads a PDF, they can pass it along. Even if they pay for it (once), future revenue is lost as it can be shared. While you may know who downloads it, with a PDF, you know little about the person who reads it, what pages are favored, where time is spent, or even where you “lose them.”

Texterity’s Published Web Format, integrated into its Lead Management System, turns whitepapers and documentation into powerful selling tools by making them available as digital editions that can be tracked. Here readers see a bold, branded library and log in once. After that, the system recognizes them and captures all user data. With a strong filtering system and versatile control panel, publishers can qualify these leads, cap them, test multiple campaigns, and schedule real-time reports.

Readers enjoy a productive experience because unlike using a PDF, digital editions can be searched by terms, topics, and publisher names. Readers can also be invited to rank documents and participate in surveys, engaging them more fully.

So rather than pursue a dead end with a PDF, consider using your content digitally as a means to an end – a better data base and bottom line results.

Q: How does a digital edition differ from web content?

A: A digital edition retains the complete content of the print publication unlike a webzine which reflows select editorial into web columns. That means, all stylistic elements, fonts, ads, editorial, table of contents, and covers are vividly replicated for electronic delivery, laid out as they are for print. Even better, digital delivery provides a thumbnail view of the entire publication, so if you’re a busy reader who likes to start with a favorite feature or read back-to-front, you can easily jump in rather than scroll down.

Want to get a closer look at that great photo or pair of shoes? Just zoom. Prefer to read one page at a time? Just set your preferences. Want more information about an advertised product? Just click a hot link in the ad and go to their website or e-commerce catalog.

One of the neatest features about digital delivery is that you can clip, share, and save pages. No trying to cut and paste web content into Word; no big white space frustration because the web page won’t convert to PDF. Digital content appears the same way regardless of browser, computer platform, or screen size because digital delivery preserves brand, style, and design investment.