Digital publishing has taken the world by storm and app developers and designers are taking out all the stops to create new trend-setting innovations. The aim is to be ahead of the competition and to create evocative new ways to capture readers’ attention and increase their subscription base.

Publication portals such as MagCast allow for a wide range of interactive tools to be used within your magazine and opportunities to engage with your audience through amazing video and audio as well as captivating, retina-ready images.

However, there are certain things to consider when you author your digital publications in order to make the most of the tools at your disposal.

Video & Audio

iPad publications call for flawless brilliant images. The iPad screen is small, unlike a page in a print magazine where the reader’s eyes gravitate towards the text on the next page. On an iPad, an image garners the reader’s full attention, and as you know, a picture says a thousand words. So be sure that your images are pixel-perfect. If you have good photography equipment, or a professional photographer, you are in luck. In addition to video and audio, be sure to capture stills, too. The creative director will usually decide whether images and video should be in portrait or landscape, with the latter being the most commonly applied to most uses.

You don’t need expensive recording equipment for audio recordings out in the field. An iPhone app can turn your smart phone into a useful recorder.

Some publishers think that it’s okay to scrimp on content for their digital editions, but that is a misguided notion if ever there was one. Surveys have shown that iPad readers expect more, and not less, from digital publications. Include some behind-the-scenes footage. The more you can show your readers, the more your opportunities for interaction with your audience are available.

Play with Pictures

Use slideshows to create an interactive experience for your readers. It will allow users to show and hide content within the magazines. You can also incorporate draging playback controls for your video widgets. Text art created by a good typographic designer can add an amazing edge to your designs. Infographics are all the rage at the moment. Give your boring pie charts and graphs new life by turning them into fun infographics. Make them interactive by allowing readers to drill in for more info.

Encourage advertisers to also use the best photography, sound and visuals for best results. With the incorporation of campaigns into the Google Analytics module, you will be able to track efforts from the first time a reader spotted an ad to the moment they place an order.

Digital Publishing is the way of the Future

While print media frequently experiences slumps and downturns, digital publications are only in their infancy. New tools, features and techniques become available every day and it is only becoming better. Use these tools to your advantage and create digital publications that will delight your readers, enticing them to subscribe to future editions. Cross incorporation between your digital and print editions will lead to more engagement and interaction on both.

Choose the Best Publishing Framework

Many of the publishing platforms that are currently available have limitations, providing only a standard set of interactive tools for you to add to your magazine.  Look for a system that is easy to use and that has added features that will take your readers experience to a new level, while at the same time suit your budget. MagCast the digital publishing platform for iPad publishing, offers a great marketing module which helps you keep track of all your statistical data, inlcuding list building and Google Analytics tracking.

If you have the skills, use them; if not, contact art schools or freelance forums, or contact the MagCast publishing experts at iStaffSource.com to do it for you. Get immediate access to all the details on iStaffSource.com publishing services to get started with your magazine by leaving your email in the box below.