Study: Why Some Digital Magazines Make Money and Others Don’t

A study by Smarter Media Sales found out that the digital editions that make money have one thing in common: they optimized their publications for the screen, via layout, font choices and rich media.
Here are some key findings:

• The elements that enhance the readers’ experience more are videos (75%), extra photos (58%), slide shows (37.4%), audio (35.7%) and Flash animations (30.6%)
• Digital publications are viewed for 20 to 30 minutes. An average Web site visit lasts eight to nine minutes
• 70 percent of subscribers were less likely to ignore ads in digital editions than on web sites. They were perceived as less intrusive.
• Respondents found ads in digital magazines more helpful than ads in other electronic media
• Mobile phone ads were ranked the least interesting

According to the study, digital magazines were also seen as…

• More authoritative 65%
• More trustworthy 71%
• Easier to read 73%
• Better organized 78%
• More focused experience 80%
• More visually appealing 83%
• More interesting and fun to read 85%

The study included 5,612 readers of eight magazines that are already making money from their digital editions, including VIVmag and Premier Guitar.

What are your thoughts?