Publishers and content creators face big challenges as they determine the impact of digital content, social media, and new media technologies (eBooks, mobile, iPads, etc.) and strategize for adapting to that impact. The goal in today’s market is to evolve into profitable, integrated, and collaborative media publications. Magazine publishers need to replace lost ad revenue, increase subscriptions and leads, and find new, profitable revenue streams, among other goals. Book publishers are struggling with e-book strategies, pricing, the shifting retail landscape and marketing—just a few of the top challenges. And virtually all publishers are facing questions about:
- The mobile Web and apps
- Digital content formats and workflow
- Enhanced content and distribution (figuring out the best and most profitable uses for these new platforms and opportunities)
- Over-stretched budgets and staffs
- How to structure the staff/departments internally for maximum productivity and success in a new media world
What are the challenges and opportunities of transitioning traditional print publications to digital, mobile, and an “open” content delivery? Using examples from the Society for Technical Communication’s publications as a case study, we will explore publishing in this new media landscape.
Liz Pohland is the Director of Publications at the Society for Technical Communication and the editor of Intercom magazine. Liz has over 20 years of experience in publishing as a content and production manager, writer, editor, and designer.
Before joining STC, Liz served the Folger Shakespeare Library as an editor and designer for the scholarly journal Shakespeare Quarterly, as consultant to the Folger Magazine, and as contributor to the Folger website and branding, among multiple other publications and multimedia projects. She introduced usability and readability standards to the Folger’s publications and researched new technologies in editorial management software. Liz has also worked with Princeton University Press and Peterson’s on varied publishing endeavors. Her freelance editing includes diverse scientific and technical topics.
Liz is also pursuing a doctoral degree in Technical Communication and Rhetoric from Texas Tech University, and was awarded a $25,000 Presidential Doctoral Fellowship in 2009–2010. Her dissertation and research interests focus on publication and information management, new media, mobile communication, and technical communication in museums and digital heritage centers.
