Great digital magazines hook readers and build brands. Here's how to make them with Shorthand
Digital publications offer a powerful way to engage readers and deliver your message with impact. This article explores how to transform your content into captivating digital experiences that drive results.
You'll discover practical techniques used by leading brands to create publications that not only look impressive but also achieve business objectives.
We'll cover:
And four checklists for your digital magazine strategy:
- Engaging navigation
- Dynamic visual storytelling
- Strategic distribution methods
- Optimisation with insights
Plus: Video: Five essential features for building compelling digital magazines
Why digital magazines?
According to Shorthand's own research on 54,000+ stories, digital magazines have the highest completion rate of any content type, outperforming traditional formats by a significant margin.
Read our full report on content performance →
Start creating with Shorthand
It's the fastest way to publish beautifully engaging digital magazines, content marketing, and more.
1. Create intuitive reading experiences that guide your audience
The foundation of any successful digital publication is thoughtful structure and navigation. Readers quickly abandon content when they feel lost or overwhelmed, making intuitive design essential for engagement.
Navigation checklist:
- create dynamic tables of contents that give readers a clear overview
- develop magazine-style hubs that organise content into intuitive collections
- design consistent branding elements that establish visual continuity
- implement project microsites that keep related content organised
- use progress indicators to help readers understand their location
"The most effective digital publications guide readers naturally through content, creating a journey that feels both effortless and intentional."
Ricky Robinson, Shorthand CEO
2. Bring your content to life with dynamic visual elements
Today's readers expect more than static text and images. The most engaging digital publications use visual storytelling techniques to maintain attention and enhance understanding.
Ways to enhance your content:
- use progressive reveal (in a Scrollmation, Reveal, Scrollpoints, or Charts section) to control information flow
- implement media galleries to showcase visual collections
- create scroll-triggered animations that emphasise key points
- embed social media posts to add authentic perspectives
- incorporate rich media elements that strengthen your message
- add interactive features that encourage meaningful engagement
"The difference between content that gets skimmed and content that gets remembered often comes down to how information is presented visually"
Joe Martin, Data Scientist at Shorthand
3. Distribute your publication to maximise reach and impact
Even exceptional content needs strategic distribution to achieve its objectives. The right distribution approach ensures your publication reaches its intended audience and drives desired actions.
How to distribute your digital magazine:
- choose between hosting on your own website, or using a third-party publishing platform like Shorthand
- create targeted email campaigns with direct publication links
- share a video snippet of your publication across social channels
- design mobile-optimised experiences that work across all devices
- implement trackable links to measure distribution effectiveness
Effective distribution ensures your carefully crafted content reaches your audience when and where they're most receptive to engage with it.
"Distribution isn't one-size-fits-all. We craft a unique approach for each client, ensuring the publication feels native to their digital ecosystem.”
Giles Wilson, Editor at Harpoon Productions
4. Optimise your publication based on reader insights
Leading brands don't just publish digital content — they continuously refine it based on reader behaviour. Understanding how readers interact with your publications provides invaluable insights for improvement.
What to measure:
- track section-specific engagement to identify content strengths
- analyse interaction patterns to understand what captures attention
- measure time spent on different content areas
- identify drop-off points that indicate engagement problems
- test different presentation approaches for key content
By transforming reader data into actionable insights, you can continuously enhance both current and future publications to better serve your audience and business goals.
"The real power of digital publications is the ability to measure what's working and adapt accordingly"
Joe Martin, Data Scientist at Shorthand
How to create digital magazines in Shorthand
Built with Shorthand