When we are faced with those decisions that have the potential to drastically alter our lives or our careers, we must ensure that we ask ourselves the important questions that will help us make the right choice. This is particularly the case when you decide to create a digital magazine.
Digital magazines (well, those that are successful at least) are products of a great deal of work, effort and usually, money – therefore, you shouldn’t embark on that journey without being sure you are ready! So, read on and start to answer the questions that will help to guide your decision.
We can help you to create your brand new digital magazine and engage the readers!
1. Do I have the right team?
Before you even contemplate embarking on this creation adventure, you have to think about the team that will accompany you. Without a team that works well together and shares common goals, your digital magazine could be doomed to failure before it has even begun! So, before you get started, ensure that you, firstly, trust your team. Trust is vital in any team and it is what keeps things running smoothly.
Your team should also be willing to put in (almost) as much work as you. They shouldn’t leave it to you, they should be eager to help and offer you all of the encouragement necessary! And lastly, they should believe in what you are doing. If they don’t believe in what you are doing and in the product that you are creating then, it might be time for you to find a team that does.
A successful digital magazine needs to have passion on every page! Just remember before you embark on this adventure that your team is where the magazine starts, you have to ensure that they are up for the role!
2. Are my readers online?
Now, this question is a biggie! If you already have a magazine and are making the transition from print to digital, then you really have to ask yourself if your readers are actually online. If your target audience is principally comprised of seniors who are not very technologically savvy or perhaps they are the select group that detests all things technological, then it may be a good idea to move away from the modern age and remain in the old days of paper. This will ensure that you don’t lose your readership and maybe, most importantly, that they don’t lose you!
However, the vast majority of us are technology-lovers who would jump at the chance to read with ease from our phone, tablet or computer and in that case, a digital magazine could be a step in the right direction. Making the transition to digital will offer your customers many more features that will no doubt make their experience a lot more interesting and valuable.
3. Do I have the funds?
In order to succeed in the digital world, it’s no secret that a healthy budget helps but if your pockets aren’t that deep, don’t let that stop you from attempting to create a digital magazine. For those who are just venturing into the world of digital publications or who have a rather limited budget, digital replica is the perfect starter kit. It is easy-to-use and cost-effective.
If your budget is a little more flexible and you are looking for something that has more features, then you could opt for the digital reflow format. Remember, even if you start out with the most basic format, once you have gained confidence and a following, you could always update your solution.
4. Who is my competition and how can I beat them?
When starting any business (or magazine), it’s inevitable that there will be competition. Before you begin to create your digital magazine, you should check out the competition! Look at your competitors and see what they lack. What are the biggest complaints from their readers? What could you do better?
Once you have done some research, you can be sure to incorporate what they lack into your magazine and become the new and improved resource! Or even better, see if there is a gap in the market and try to fill it.
5. Am I ready?
If you have considered all of the questions above, strategized and laid solid foundations then you should be ready! But don’t forget to ask yourself, if you are really ready to make the leap.
