As the world of online publishing continues to grow, many publishers are struggling to make sense of how best to benefit from the opportunities online publishing can offer. Webevents specialises in making online marketing strategy a reality, so if you are in need of a bit of help with the launch of your online magazine simply email us at info@webeventseurope.com. In the meantime, what steps do you, as the publisher, need to think about?

1) Take the right approach online

In order to successfully launch into the online publishing industry, you need to view your online magazine as a complement to hard-copy, not as a replacement. It is therefore important that a relationship between online and hard copy is established right from the beginning. Simply putting your publication's title on the home page and reproducing online magazine articles may have been appropriate a few years ago but the industry has since moved on and these actions now separate the early-adopters from the laggards.

2) Re-affirm your brand

Your readers already associate with your hard-copy magazine, either because they have been loyal readers for a while or because your brand is firmly established in the marketplace. By reproducing the exact look of your publication in an online magazine, you are reinforcing the brand and bolstering its position against the competitors, allowing your readers to choose a new format but with the comfort and re-assurance that comes with brand recognition.

3) Respond to your individual readership and subscription model

Take a close look at your readership and your publication’s subscription model. Your all-round digital strategy has to reflect the individuality of all your important stakeholders.

If you are a subscriber-funded publication you need to ask: What will make my online readers part with their money to read my magazine online? How will I implement an online transaction system to allow my subscribers to pay for their online publication?

If you are an advertiser-based publication you need to ask: What incentives can I offer current advertisers to take part? How can I interest new advertisers in my online magazine? How will I present the benefits of digital publishing to your advertisers and get them to back me?

If you are looking for the best way to launch your online magazine, get in contact with Webevents. Our WebMags product converts a complete, print-ready magazine design into a version that can be delivered over broadband internet, and at a price that makes absolute sense to the publisher. For further information email Rebecca.wilkinson@webeventseurope.com or ring us on 01423 529300.