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Valued Flip Page clients, It is a little early to spill the beans but we will soon be launching a new tool that will integrate Variable Data capabilities with our Flip Page digital editions. If you are unfamiliar with the capabilities of Variable Data printing we suggest you consult with your local printer or you can gather some additional info here. We are excited about the launch of this incredible new direct marketing tool!
Stay tuned for more details!
The word rollover has a number of different connotations or associations. In this case, there is no reason to call an ambulance or to break out the treats for Fido. In the realm of digital print media there is a single meaning that refers specifically to a unique interaction between a Flip Page publication and the consumer. Product Rollovers are identified by a pop-up or zoomed window as a consumer rolls (or maybe more accurately ‘mouse’s) over a highlighted product. A rollover generally provides another view of a product and also provides additional textual information (such as price, dimensions, weight etc) pertaining to the product that may not be included within the actual publication. The rollover feature is typically integrated into retail publications.
What is a Retail Publication?
Retail is generally defined as the sale of goods or commodities directly to consumers or other businesses. Unlike publications that contain information, news, entertainment, editorial, or journalistic content, a retail publication typically focuses on the sale of goods or commodities. Accordingly, the official Flip Page definition of Retail Publication is any publication that focuses on the sale of goods or commodities. Common indicators of a Retail Publication are the presence of product images, product descriptions, prices, sku or product numbers, and the desire to have links to an e‐commerce portal. Common types of Retail Publications include flyers, inserts, and catalogs.
Product Rollovers offer a variety of options aside from simply linking a product to its corresponding product page. Click here for a Product URL sample.
A basic rollover provides additional graphical and textual information that when clicked will add the product to a ‘virtual wishlist’ (click here for sample). The ‘wishlist’ is populated in the toolbar as each product is added by the consumer.
A rollover to URL option provides additional graphical and textual information that when clicked will link to an external product page or e-commerce page (click here for sample).
A rollover to Product Detail page provides additional graphical and textual information that when clicked will open a Product Detail page. The product detail page offers the consumer an opportunity to share the publication, add products to shopping list, view the shopping list, or return to the publication. The product detail page also provides additional product details such as price, category, brand, and details. The product detail page also populates similar products that fall in the same category as the product being viewed (click here for sample).
The final rollover option involves linking a product to a corresponding Product Detail page as well as a URL link. This essentially provides the benefits of both the ‘rollover to URL’ and ‘rollover to Product Detail’ page options (click here for sample).
Rollovers can do a lot more than just provide additional textual content or images. Our rollover suite provides three optional external link locations. This means that a retailer can really expand on the description of the product with links to video, brochures, warranty information, nutritional information, a vendor’s website and more! (click here for sample).
Application
The interactive nature of a product rollover tucked inside a Flip Page edition provides a unique opportunity for retailers. Not only does the Flip Page version have the potential to reach consumers outside the traditional avenue of print but it now also offers an additional element to spur online and retail sales via 'wishlist' and 'shopping cart' functionality.
Offering expansive media to a consumer in a rollover in the form of video and linked content provides an avenue for furthering product knowledge and appeal.
Valued Flip Page clients, Do you have an RSS feed that you want to include In App? Or even multiple RSS feeds?
Now you can include direct RSS feeds using the InfoDeck feature of your branded App.
If you are already using the InfoDeck for another website - no problem! The Cover Gallery and Issue InfoDecks now operate independently and can be setup with different site information.
This feature is available to all App versions and does not require an upgrade to take advantage of this too.
Contact your account representative for more information!
Many of you have been asking about the New iPad and how Flip Page's Apps perform on this new device. You'll be happy to know that our Apps already look good on the New iPad. You may have read recently that some magazines look pixelated on the New iPad. That's because some Apps are using a JPEG designed for the exact dimensions of the iPad 2. Flip Page has been providing readers with a higher resolution JPEG all along - so right out of the box our Apps look better than they did on the iPad 2.
And yet, this is not the time to rest on our laurels!
Flip Page Announces App 3.0
App 3.0 will serve New iPad readers a crystal clear, full vector zoom pdf - without the initial JPEG, which is no longer necessary given the enhanced performance of the New iPad device. And even better, all of the archive issues will be presented in the same way - without the publisher having to do a thing.
And that is just the beginning of the enhancements we've made to the App. See below for the full announcement, as well as several resources for you in preparation of this new release.
These features are available to readers on the New iPad. Readers on earlier iPad versions will continue to receive content optimized for their device:
Crystal clear display – Your readers will flip through a full vector pdf with startlingly clear text and images. Apple calls the New iPad “Resolutionary” and this App will take full advantage of the color and clarity afforded you by this new device.
Auto update of archive issues – The App now will automatically serve up the full vector pdfs to your back issues as well. So there is no work on your end to apply these features against your older issues. Once again, we’ll do the heavy lifting.
Smaller file size –New iPad readers will appreciate that your App respects their space – storage space that is. Flip Page’s App 3.0 file sizes are actually SMALLER than earlier versions of our iPad App. For comparison, an issue that previously weighed in at 180 MB on the old App will now total about 80 MB's with version 3.0!
Faster download time – Smaller file size = Fewer megabytes to download.
Higher pixel resolution graphics – We were already planning an upgrade to our graphics and we took this opportunity to amp them up even more in App 3.0.
These features are available to all iPad devices:
Enhanced graphics – The New App has an upgraded Cover Gallery and contextual menus
Slide Shows – Slide shows setup in the digital edition now render In App as part of the base service.
Catalog rollovers – Sticky rollovers now render In App.
Download while asleep– No more waking up the iPad to “UnPause” issue downloading. Your screen may go dark but your App is continuing to work in the background delivering that new issue to the reader.
Want more information?
If you already have an App with us, you will receive a free upgrade to the new App. We just need some additional assets and information to we will be upgrading your App to this exciting new version for free.
If you have any questions with regards to the above, please contact your account representative!
A large number of publishers are looking to multi-channel their printed products into a blend of print and digital. And, not surprisingly, a large number of content creators are entering the digital realm without any physical ties to the printed medium. The former are typically attempting to brush their content on the largest canvas. The latter are generally hoping to build a foundation without necessarily digging so deep that they can’t climb out.And with that said, there are a number of digital edition publishing solutions to consider. Some solutions are paid, some are cost-effective and some are even offered free of charge. As Bob and now Drew would agree the price is right but it is necessary to consider the limitations to determine 'Is free an Issue?'
1. Is streaming video/media an Issue? There are a number of reports that indicate that streaming video ads are increasingly gaining the edge in terms of online consumer engagement. Are advertisers able to integrate commercials, product videos, radio ads, or other streaming media into the digital publication to maximize their exposure? More importantly, is this additional source of ad revenue offered to advertisers?
2. Is enhanced content an Issue? Enhanced content may include photo images that were not included in the front page story solely because there was not enough real estate available on the cover. Adding additional images via an embedded slide show not only provides more ‘story’ for the reader but it also appeases the photo journalist whose artwork is often wasted. Or, additional content may be in the form of an ‘Article Link’ that allows a reader to capture ‘more of the story’.
3. Are direct leads an Issue? There is often a dis-connect between a digital reader and a digital advertiser. A reader can be linked to an advertisers website and click-throughs can be reported but that doesn’t necessarily generate leads. What if a customizable Call Back Card was placed directly on an advertisers image? If a reader is interested in the product or service, they can click on the form, fill out their information, and the advertiser will receive the request for information in their email inbox. This provides a direct interaction between advertiser and reader that most often results in an advertiser reporting the interaction to the publisher before the opposite has a chance to occur.
4. Are custom or specialty pages an Issue? Often publications make use of a variety of custom or specialty pages to differentiate certain content from the norm. Specialty pages such as belly bands, gatefolds, blow-ins, barn doors and foldouts are excellent opportunities to highlight an advertiser or content but are often neglected in digital editions simply because the capability is not available.
5. Is branding an Issue? It takes a very long time to build a successful brand. And most content creators are very protective of that brand. So much so, that in order to promote outside products in that brand a client is required to pay for the space that they would like to occupy. Why is a digital publishing vendor excused from paying for exposure? If a publisher is willing to expose their dedicated digital reader base to their digital publishing vendor at no cost does that suggest that their digital advertisers should be afforded the same luxury? Whose brand is being promoted?
6. Is digital edition ad revenue an Issue? A digital edition should provide a source of additional advertising revenue. Being able to offer advertiser’s more than just the static image in the digital edition is paramount. See this previous blog for ideas on how to generate additional ad revenue in your digital edition using Flip Page Publishing’s customizable options and tools. CLICK HERE! Does it hurt your ability to earn ad revenue by using free software? Are advertiser’s less inclined to pay for digital editions ads if it requires no additional cost to create?
7. Is generating revenue via paid subscriptions an Issue? Print subscriptions are a necessary source of revenue for many publications. Too often, that same content that readers considered worthy of payment in print format is provided free in digital format. Worst case scenario, why not offer a print/digital bundle to subscribers rather than simply provide the digital content for free to all readers? The reasons vary but there are definitely cases where the perception was that it is difficult to integrate or too costly to offer paid subscriptions for digital edition content. This is simply not true
8. Is product support an Issue? There is nothing more frustrating than having a question and not being able to get an answer. Sometimes waiting for a new feature to be added can be maddening. Maybe it is just a case of having a really unique idea from an advertiser shot down because of lack of flexibility in the current product. Or maybe it is due to the fact that this digital edition isn’t optimized for Apple’s mobile products when the other one is...
9. Is mobile optimization an Issue? Digital publishing has witnessed exponential growth recently and one of the leading causes of that growth is the advance of mobile products on the market. Larger screens on smartphones and tablets, increased connection speeds and freely available public wi-fi are driving the mobile web. The growth in mobile web usage is also leading to a growth in mobile platforms and operating systems. Keeping a digital edition accessible on all of the different platforms and operating systems is crucial.
10. Are native Apps an Issue? Native Apps have a market. A big one. According to Apple, as of March 5, 2012 there have been 25 billion App downloads across 315 million iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch users in 123 countries. That’s just Apple’s piece of the pie. Include Google’s Android Market and Amazon’s Kindle market and the figures must be staggering. It is well worth the low cost of entry to enter these markets and place some bait on the end of the line to see if you can generate some nibbles.
11. Are additional features an Issue? There is a lot of functionality available in a great digital publishing software provider. They carry large tool belts that are bound to lead to early arthritis. Providing all of these tools is necessary to help make each publisher’s product as customizable as possible. Refer to our Digital Brochure to see what can be created with digital publishing software that rivals Tim Allen’s.
12. Are margin ads an Issue? It may just be a simple ad in the side margin of a publication. But, it exists, quietly hoping to draw your reader away from your content and into someone else’s. We have clearly identified that ads in a publication require payment but why do ads outside a publication populate at no additional cost? The ad’s content is tied closely into the content in your publication as well. Should the adage ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer’ ring as true as it does? We tend to think it shouldn’t.
Digital Publishing is an effective method of conveying a message to a growing group of digital content consumers. There is no question that reaching out to this growing reader base is essential. Determining how to reach this audience and what solution will create the greatest return for my investment must also be considered. With those factors in mind, I ask ‘Is free the issue?’
Valued Flip Page clients, We have changed the operational definition for the data pertaining to 'Total Issue Visits' and 'Monthly Unique Issue Visits' within our analytics reporting.
A new “Daily Unique Issues Visits” metric as been added to reflect a visitors daily interaction with an issue. A daily unique issue visit is considered to be an event that takes place between 12:00AM ET and 11:59PM ET.
Additional information can be found below... Thermostats Update
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your account representative.
Valued Flip Page clients, We would like to announce the release of an improved email campaign report style. As part of this update, there are also additional interface enhancements and layout changes. The current report style will continue until midnight on March 25, 2012 and following that time the current style will no longer be accessible and the new report style will be made live to all email clients.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your account representative.
Valued Flip Page clients, We will be making adjustments to our current App pricing as of April 1, 2012. These changes are being made to better serve our publication App clients and to provide a simpler integration into the respective App markets. Stay tuned for more information. And no, we ain't foolin'!
Valued Flip Page clients, Apple has already begun moving catalog Apps to that category - at their sole discretion. This is an attempt to group catalogs in a similar area of App store. If Apple moves one of your Apps - here are a couple notes:
What do you have to do? Nothing - we merely wanted to make you aware of this minor change.
Effective immediately, Apple has revised the available options for In-App subscriptions. The new terms available for auto-renewing In App subscriptions are as follows : 7 days 1 month 2 month 3 month
The new terms available for non-autorenewing In App subscriptions are as follows :
Single Issue
Apple will no longer accept annual subscriptions or any other subscription duration other than those listed above.
Existing, approved subscriptions will not be affected.
For additional information on Apple's New In App terms please contact your sales representative.
We have added two new features to Flip Page 2D. You now have the following capabilities when creating your publications.
1. Resizable Flipping Icon - You are now able to alter the physical dimensions of the 'Flipping' Icon of the cover page of your icon. This is intended to assist with integration into websites/emails and more.
2 Carousel Thumbnail View - You can now create a carousel style thumbnail view as opposed to a whole page view. The carousel view allows the reader to scroll left to right to navigate various page thumbs while also maintaining maximum viewable display of the Flip edition.
Please contact your Account Representative with any questions.
We are happy to announce a revision for our iPad App. The expected release date for these great new enhancements is early April (2012) but we will keep you up to date with our progress. So what are the new enhancements you ask?
1. Slide Show integration - similar to the slide show tool recently released in our desktop version, readers will now be able to access additional content within the publication App in the form of a slide show. This feature is ideal for image driven magazines!
2. Rollover integration - similar to the Rollover Product option in our desktop version. Sticky Rollovers which include product image, product title, product description and pricing. Digital catalogues, circulars, flyers, and inserts can benefit dramatically from Rollover integration via the App.
3. Contextual Menus - An upgrade to our previous in-App menus in which the menu now overlays the page content.
These updates will be made available to any new App and will also be rolled over to existing Apps as a no-cost upgrade option. We will initially make revisions with the iPad App and then continue rolling these upgrades out to our other platform Apps.
Please contact your Account Representative with any questions or if you would like to view a couple screen captures of the enhancements.