5 signs that you would benefit from multichannel publishing software

Are you fully utilizing the potential of your content? And how can you ensure that you reach as many readers as possible? I answer these and other questions in this article. I'll introduce you to multichannel publishing - and tell you the 5 signs you can recognize that you too would benefit from multichannel publishing software.

What is Multichannel Publishing?

Consumers today consume content in different ways. Some continue to swear by the print editions of newspapers or magazines - others prefer to read on smartphones, tablets or laptops. Whether printed or digital content: If you want to reach the largest possible target group with your content, you have to be present on all relevant channels.

Because that's what multichannel (also omnichannel, crosschannel or crossmedia) publishing is all about. You publish your content simultaneously on different channels and platforms. For example, on your website, in your app, on Apple News+ and on various social media channels. This increases your reach and gives your readers the opportunity to consume your content exactly how they prefer.

The catch? Managing channels and content can quickly become complex and time-consuming. This is where so-called multichannel publishing software comes in as a holistic solution.

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What exactly constitutes multichannel publishing software?

Multichannel publishing software is the foundation for efficient cross-media publishing. With such software, you can manage, create, edit, and publish content on different channels in a single tool. What's more, you can keep an eye on all the technical and design features of the various channels at all times.

Tip: When selecting a suitable publishing solution, it is particularly important to take advantage of synergies. Existing content must be quick to find and easy to reuse so that it can be published effortlessly in different channels.

Multichannel publishing software is particularly useful for newspaper and magazine publishers. But it can also help companies and agencies (for their customers) increase their reach and generate more revenue.

So now we come to the 5 signs you can tell that your publisher would also benefit from multichannel publishing software.

Sign 1: High production costs

Do you know specifically how much time and resources you need to create and publish your content? If you want to stay competitive, you need to create unique content in the most efficient way. Multichannel publishing software helps you do this - it increases the efficiency and security of your processes, through optimized and automated workflows.

Media-neutral content is of paramount importance here. This means that you do not create your content for a specific medium, but independently of the medium. This allows you to publish your content quickly and easily on different channels, while reducing your production costs.

Sign 2: Outdated business model

Your users now consume content on numerous different channels. Publishers and other content publishers inevitably have to adapt to this new user behavior - those who don't will eventually be overtaken by the competition.

So ask yourself: Have you already tapped into all relevant output channels such as the news app, ePaper, Facebook or Google News? Have you created new editorial structures and optimized your internal processes? On the one hand, this is of course a challenge, but on the other hand it offers you decisive opportunities for reorientation. I recommend that you take this opportunity to put your established business models through their paces and adapt your monetization mix accordingly.

Multichannel publishing software such as Purple helps you to establish new business models (e.g. news app, e-paper, podcast, etc.) and attract new readers.

Sign 3: Poor distribution of existing content

Never before has so much content been produced as today. In addition, the number of channels is constantly increasing and the various formats, such as text, audio and video, also want to be covered. The audience simply expects more and more. At best, they want to experience something different on each channel. Traditional production processes reach their limits here. Often, content quality suffers or important channels and formats are not even served due to a lack of resources.

Cross-media publishing software solves the problem. How? Through a true content-first or, optionally, digital-first approach. This allows you to create and manage your content in a media-neutral way, so you can efficiently publish your stories to all channels. This preserves content quality while still giving you complete flexibility.

By the way, when it comes to implementing software like this, it's not just the migration of your existing data that's important. You should also not underestimate the associated organizational adjustments. We would be happy to explain to you how to successfully implement a new publishing solution in a no-obligation consultation.

Sign 4: Expandable team collaboration

Collaboration between print and online editorial departments is a challenge for many publishers. Not least because there are often multiple systems and elaborate processes running side by side. Even in other companies that publish a lot of content, content managers often have to collaborate with writers, web designers, and possibly audio and video editors. Without a suitable tool, this is not only inefficient, but misunderstandings and errors are also commonplace.

Multichannel publishing software, on the other hand, simplifies collaboration between teams. It reduces coordination problems and helps avoid errors - so you can get from idea to publication as quickly as possible.

Sign 5: Readers are not the focus

Today's readers want to be continuously in the spotlight. The wide range of communication channels not only leads to different media usage, readers have also become more selective. They consciously choose which information and content they consume on which channels. It is imperative that publishers take this into account if they want to meet the increased expectations of their readers.

By the way, focusing on the reader is also important for marketing teams - because today, more than ever, users have control over their own customer journey. As mentioned above, they decide for themselves on which channels they consume your content or inform themselves about products and services.

Multichannel publishing therefore ensures that you are represented on all target group-relevant channels. The result? You reach new readers, offer your existing readership greater added value, and can thus generate higher sales.

Conclusion

Whether it's better collaboration between your editorial teams, more productivity or increased reach: Multichannel publishing software offers your media company numerous advantages.

We'll be happy to show you how your publishing company can benefit from our Purple DS software in a free product demo tailored to your individual needs.

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