Print publications use mediums of social media in order appeal to readers

Gothilf, Gina (9, Feb., 2011) 7 Ways Print Magazines Are Using Social Media To Engage Readers http://mashable.com/2011/02/09/social-media-magazines/

Print publications have begun to part take in social media in order to promote and expand their publication. In order for publications to be see as authority figures in their fields they recommend articles from other publications, suggest who to follow, and share links to things happening in their community. Publications as also taking advantage of the feedback that readers give them through social media sites by asking general questions across social profiles, monitoring comments, and measuring response rates. They have also included contents, which prompts readers to submit things that could be featured in the publication. Not only are readers able to read the content on the print publications but they are also able to communicate with the writers. Food & Wine Magazine hosts Twitter and Facebook chats where fans can speak to editors about recipes and dining tips which allows readers to incorporate these publications into their daily routines. Cosmopolitan Magazine allows readers from all around the country to participate in Q&A’s about topics discussed in the magazine in order to tie readers in to a tight night community. Magazines have started to take the relationship they have with fans to the web by tweeting and retweeting their fans in order to create a stronger bond. Several publications are also branching out and creating games and quizzes to entertain their readers. Publications have also merged old school styles with social media by creating creative pages on sites such as Instagram that include advertisements to reel readers in. 

“Newsweek, The Atlantic and The Huffington Post (the ultimate content curator) all reblog content from around the web on their Tumblogs. The result is a network of dynamic, interactive and ultra-relevant magazine outlets.”

“Beyond adding depth to upcoming issues and digital content, these publications have opened a regular dialogue and established a lasting relationship with their readers.”

“The tactics adopted by these marketing-savvy publications generate relationships and conversations around their brand — on and offline.”

The convergence of print publications and social media has risen due to the fact that technology is in its course of taking over the world. Print convergence with social media sites has increased the number of readers the publication gets as well as creating tighter bind with the publications fans. I think that it is so smart that these publications are coming to their audiences instead of waiting for the readers to come to them. Creating a bond between the readers and the writers will have such a positive influence on the publication because I know from experience that when famous people or publications respond to my emails of tweets, I become more intrigued in their work and pay more attention to them. Creating bonds through a publication will get their audiences to view them as a positive linkage institution, which will in theory increase interest amongst readers and amongst their sales. Creating games and general questions for a publications readers will allow them to stay relevant and a prominent part of the publication industry. Using technology to advertise for a print publication will reach a wider audience, younger readers will read because social media advertisements will target them while older readers will read the publication old school style.