Digital Print Media is growing in leaps and bounds (pardon the pun, but it only occurs every four years so you have to be quick or you miss the opportunity). The current success of digital print media is inherently related to the explosion of tech-mobile products as well as the intuitive nature of the product itself. Flip Page editions flip, turn or in some cases swipe rather similar to their paper cousins. Navigating for content has never been a roadblock on the digital print media highway. However, additional tools and features in the ‘unpaper’ version may not be as in intuitive to a new digital reader. In order to maximize the effectiveness of your Flip edition it is advisable to educate your reader of the extensive array of tools available. With educating readers as the primary focus to consider may we present…Presenting the Presentation Page. The presentation page is optionally located in three positions in a Flip Page edition. It can be located on the left side of the front cover, the right side of the back cover or a combination of both. The dimensions of a presentation page are the equivalent dimensions of the publication itself.
In terms of reader education the presentation page provides a number of possibilities. A simple combination of text and graphics will help the reader understand some of the additional tools available outside the typical page flipping options. The content of the publication will determine the tools to highlight for the reader. As an example, a digital catalogue or flyer should explain to the reader how to use the ‘Shopping List’ or ‘Wishlist ‘ functionality whereas a digital textbook may want to focus on the ‘Notes’ and ‘Bookmark’ tools. If the intention is to grab attention and promote retention then we should mention video and audio embedding. Rather than a simple text/graphics introduction why not present the reader with a video or audio track that outlines what is available inside your Flip Page edition. Embedding a video showing the reader how to use the ‘Wishlist’ or ‘Notes’ tools combined with written instruction covers most learning styles. Production value does not need to be the main concern. The goal is to educate the reader – Oscars collect dust too. If the instruction requires more real estate simply link the reader to the back presentation page and make them aware more detail is available.
Although it is our recommendation to warm up a reader to new media there will come a time when the training wheels can be removed. Once the trainers are off there are a number of other applications for the presentation page.
Consider the presentation page prime real estate for an advertiser. Unless prepared otherwise the front cover is the landing page for every viewer of a Flip Page edition. Consider this location a full page ad with guaranteed exposure. Keeping in mind that this page can also include multi-media such as video/audio and it becomes ideal ad space.
Presentation pages are not limited to chalkboards for the unlearned or billboards to earn. A presentation page is a perfect opportunity to welcome a reader to new media. This especially holds true for a Flip Page edition launch. This page may also serve as a location to draw your reader into your content. Serve them up a sample of the content on the presentation page and page jump them over to the rest of the article using a page link. The presentation page may simply be a location to drive home your brand with a large logo and a captive video.
The reality is that the presentation page is a veritable clean slate for creativity. If using digital print media to adapt to the present is a goal make sure to present readers with knowledge they will need to interact successfully.