While it’s taken some time for audiences to adopt a digital format, recent trends suggest that audiences are starting to read more of their content through digital means.
But what’s truly special about digital magazines is that virtually anyone can start one.
As long as you have ideas, creative drive, and a computer, you can become the next William Randolph Hearst from the comfort of your own home.
Here are five tips on how to start an online magazine to help you get started.
1. Be Unique
As a content creator, you bring something unique and special to the table. Something that no one else in the world can capture.
So what’s your hidden weapon? It’s your voice.
Readers have more options than ever. If you’re not saying something original and doing so in a clear, engaging manner, you’ll struggle to maintain your readership.
A unique take is important, particularly if other magazines cover your topic of choice.
Give your content some personality. Audiences love to connect with brands that humanize themselves. Have fun and put your takes in the spotlight.
2. Use a Template for Your Magazine’s Design
Designing content for a digital magazine is a lot different than designing web content, even if the methods of distribution are similar.
As a result, you’ll need to come up with a design that works for your magazine. Something that’s easy to read, maintains the reader’s interest and looks great on a variety of devices.
The easiest and most effective way to find a great design is by using a template.
There are plenty of templates to choose from online, whether you’re looking for a magazine cover template, eye-catching fonts, or templates to balance pull quotes and text.
3. Take Advantage of Your Digital Platform
Starting an online magazine gives you some unique advantages over traditional print publication.
The biggest advantage is that you can include more than just text and images in your magazine.
Digital magazines often include video, interactive charts, polls, and more to make the reading process a more engaging experience.
4. Define Your Monetization Strategy Early
To make your digital magazine project a sustainable venture, you’ll need to establish a way to generate revenue.
Typically, magazines monetize their content in two ways:
- Subscriptions
- Selling Ads
Of course, you can always do both if you’re feeling particularly confident. However, free content will always gain more readers than paid content, so we don’t recommend this strategy, at least at first.
Whichever avenue you choose, choose it early so you can begin marketing before your first issue.
5. Spread the Word
On the topic of marketing, start spreading the word as soon as possible.
Use your magazine’s social media, website, and your personal pages to drum up excitement.
Social media, in particular, is important, as it has a massive install base.
How to Start an Online Magazine
We hope you’ve enjoyed this look into how to start an online magazine.
Remember, the earlier you plan your monetization strategy and establish the voice, the more time you’ll have to build your brand before your first issue hits digital stands.
To run a successful digital magazine, you’ll need a hearty dose of discipline, too. Click here to learn how to build discipline so you can consistently publish great content.