Catch Magazine, a digital magazine for fly fishing fans, is an excellent example of what can be achieved in the digital format compared to print. Besides visually stunning content, they are using the medium to provide readers and advertisers a level of engagement which commercially valuable as well as entertaining.
Catch Magazine is an excellent example of how magazine distribution is changing. The barriers to entry for new publishers are lower than ever. There is little or no distribution cost. No wastage. Engagement, readership and advertising responses, thoroughly tracked. The environment story is strong – Catch Magazine: keeping trees vertical is a compelling pitch.
I’d encourage newsagents to take the time to click on the link above, read an issue of the magazine and then pick up a fishing magazine from your shelves and compare the experience of the two.
I understand the appeal of having a magazine in your hand to read anywhere you want without needing power or a clunky device. I also understand the appeal of having access to content like that at Catch Magazine for no cost and available on my laptop or iPhone or other device – free.
There are interest categories which are logical for a digital platform. A while back here I wrote that special interest categories appear to be insulated from the magazine downturn. I am now seeing evidence that this is not the case. More titles on digital platforms will fan this.
Our businesses are locked into the print medium. The excitement is around the digital medium. We need to change our businesses to be more physically flexible so that we can embrace change opportunities.
I can’t compare it to the actual magazine content wise, because I don’t have one on hand. It looks really good though and “feels” like I’m reading a magazine rather than a website.
I’d like it if publishers did something like : buy the magazine in store which a an access code in it so the customer can access bonus content, video(similar to Catch’s) etc and still have the magazine feel.
I think then the magazine sales would increase as the magazine has more to offer, and with the purchase of the magazine rather than just someone browsing online, would be better finacially for all in the long run.