They are starting to say it already, “Tablets are redefining digital media.” You’d think the Amazon Kindle; the Sony Reader and a dozen or so lesser knowns were from another planet.
The iPad in the few short weeks since it’s launch have single handedly put tablets on the map. Its vastly superior design and capabilities as well as its color display has instant market share with around half a million sold already.
Why should you care? You might now read that much and it seems like all too much hype for you. I anxiously awaited the iPad because I absolutely believe that it democratizes publishing much like iTunes democratized the music industry. iTunes allows any recording artist a vast audience without the need to belong to any particular recording company.
Simply put: iPad allows ANYONE to publish their own eMagazine and distribute it world wide. There are some very key benefits to this:
NO printing costs
That’s right. Traditionally printed magazines costs an enormous amount of money. You need a large subscriber base paying reasonable dollars to make it all worthwhile and profitable for that matter. As a matter of fact, you also need paying advertisers to make it viable, otherwise, the subscriber rates would be prohibitive.
NO distribution costs
Traditional magazines have to pay the post office or private distributors to deliver their magazines to someone’s front door. Shippers deliver stacks to bricks and mortar locations for general public sales. The iPad in the hands of your audience is all you need to put YOU Magazine out there.
Ability to deliver content to a very narrow niche audience.
Whether you have one reader or millions, it doesn’t matter. YOU Magazine can talk directly to a VERY specific (or niche) audience. This specificity allows extremely targeted discussions. If all you want to discuss is Pez dispensers, you now have the luxury to do so.
Attract niche advertisers
Delivering the above niche audience to an advertiser is very powerful. It is cost-effective for them and profitable for YOU Magazine. It is the perfect opportunity for small advertisers who don’t have the Nike budgets. They recognize the beauty in a small audience, when that audience is 100% their target demographic, and the delivery vehicle is able to deliver a multimedia message to them.
NO limitations due to size of subscriber base
Traditionally you needed a massive audience to do some interesting things for your readers. Digital products on a platform like the iPad open very large opportunities limited only by your imagination.
Become the publishing mogul of your universe
You can have one publication or dozens in your stable. There are NO limits anymore. The entire world is now your audience and marketplace.
I don’t know about you, but I plan on embracing YOU Magazine. Free range magazines are here – REJOICE!
