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What is a Synergy digital edition and what makes it such a unique marketing tool? |
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How can Synergy digital editions be best utilized? |
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What companies are using this technology? |
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What kind of audience tracking does the digital edition offer? |
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Can you include hyperlinks in digital editions and track through to the web? |
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Do you have any figures on response rates on this type of media versus ASCII or HTML email? |
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Will a digital edition look different graphically from our printed literature? |
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Will it work for all types of printed materials? |
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What's the fine print on adding audio, video to my digital edition? |
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What impact is there on download time and quality of playback when audio and video files are used? |
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Is there a general limit to audio/video file size acceptable? |
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Is it better to have audio and video files auto load at start to prevent buffer problems? |
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Can the audio track auto launch and continue to play while viewer is flipping thru pages? |
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Can I host the digital edition myself? |
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What about updating my digital edition? |
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What do you need from an artwork standpoint to create my digital edition? |
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Will digital editions work with bleed artwork? |
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Is there any limitation on lifespan of my digital edition "copies"? |
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Is there a way we can direct readers to our online sales outlets? |
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What is the viewing size for a digital edition? |
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Can digital editions be accessed from all browsers? |
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How do you handle email blasts? |
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Can my digital edition be printed? |
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Can we have a survey attached to the digital edition and where does survey information go? |
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What is a Synergy Digital Edition and what makes it such a unique marketing tool?
The Synergy digital edition is a new Web publishing interface, which brings the readability and familiar feel of your printed sales and marketing materials to the computer screen. Your customers can receive and flip-through your literature online and there's no special reader software to download - everything is viewed through a standard browser. Plus you can add all the multimedia effects of the Internet - hyperlinks, audio, video, and e-commerce -- right into the digital edition. With a digital edition you even can even track its viewer effectiveness in real-time. |
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How can digital editions be best utilized?
Here are just a few applications:
• Digital publishing:
Recreate a replica of your print magazine or catalog and distribute it via email to unlimited users. The drop-down table of contents enables them to quickly "turn" to products or articles of interest.
• Tradeshow Brochures: Increase registrations more effectively by sending a digital version of your brochure.
• Website: Personalized digital editions can be immediately compiled when combined with a search engine and content on your website
• E-mail campaigns: our "e-z send" feature makes digital edition ideal for viral marketing campaigns.
• Literature requests: potential buyers receive product info and current pricing immediately, reducing usage of costly print brochures.
• Owners/service manuals: a great alternative to downloading and navigating cumbersome online PDFs or paper-based products.
• E-commerce: digital editions can be linked directly to your website to increase sales and decrease cost of sales by lowering Call Center requests and orders. The literature can also be instantly sent to a customer's mailbox while on the phone or on-line with a customer service or sales representative.
• Custom Publishing: a great way for you to send newsletters, special supplements or company magazines to your clients. |
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What companies are using this technology?
Our client list has been steadily growing since the digital edition technology was originally rolled out across the United States, targeting B-to-B magazine publishers as a "proof of concept" market for the technology and to influence the markets they serve. Following our initial success in our first vertical market, we have been successfully expanding digital editions into similar vertical markets. |
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What kind of audience tracking does the digital edition offer?
Every time a digital edition is opened, the tracking is enabled. You can therefore closely monitor the performance and impact of your content on a daily or even hourly basis. This includes the number of times a digital edition has been viewed over a given period and which pages were viewed. Our audience tracking services are password protected with 24/7 access and we offer up to 30 different tracking options for you to choose from. Some of these options can be enhanced with your own tracking tools since the digital edition is web based. |
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Can you include hyperlinks in digital editions and track through to the web?
Yes, we can track readers going to your site with our standard tracking services but not what they do at your site. However, we can also link to your site's tracking system if you supply us the necessary information. |
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Do you have any figures on response rates on this type of media versus ASCII or HTML email?
The universal response rates for email blasts are 1.8% and falling according to Jupiter Media. The digital edition historical email open rate from 1999 to present ranges are anywhere from 7% to 48% on the email blast of those people clicking through to the digital edition. Having the viewers subscribe to receive the digital edition greatly increases the email open rates. It is important to keep in mind, getting them to open the digital edition is a function of your email marketing abilities and value of your list. Once opened, that is where the digital edition technology takes over and where we begin our tracking. |
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Will a digital edition look different graphically from our printed literature?
digital editions can be made to look exactly like a printed brochure, page-for-page in our new FX format. However, because the size of a computer monitor is usually smaller than the size of a printed publication, some publishers prefer to re-flow their print layout to maximize the reading of text and avoid the end user having to use the zoom lens feature.
Any font may be used in a digital edition. However, some fonts are more reader friendly when viewed on a computer screen. We suggest against using thin line fonts. |
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Will it work for all types of printed materials?
The digital edition platform is designed to replicate the readability of double-page, book-like documents, online. Other pre-existing layouts (gatefolds, accordion-fold, and partial page sized brochures) can be replicated using the digital edition FX format. If you have something unique, just ask and we'll come up with an effective solution. |
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What's the fine print on adding audio, video to my digital edition?
digital editions are a multimedia tool, designed to unite texts, sounds, images, videos, animations and all types of documents. Any document or multi-media format that can be opened in a standard browser can be integrated into your digital edition. Even with audio or full motion video, digital editions are comparatively quick to access. There are costs associated with the integration and hosting of these media files. Your digital edition sales representative will be happy to review the various pricing options with you. |
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What impact is there on download time and quality of playback when audio and video files are used?
The impact is not noticeable on a broadband connection - only on dial-up - when streaming audio or video files are used AND when the media is not on the first couple of pages. The reason for this is the initial creation of a digital edition on the computer screen is the content frame and several initial pages. Adding multi-media to this process can effect the overall "creation" time of the digital edition. Streaming media is not activated until the page itself is displayed. |
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Is there a general limit to audio/video file size acceptable?
Yes, we do not recommend large files. Some judgement must be used. Please contact your customer service representative for information on your particular needs. |
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Is it better to have audio and video files auto load at start to prevent buffer problems?
Yes, but this is different from having them set to play on page 1 or 2. |
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Can the audio track auto launch and continue to play while viewer is flipping thru pages?
The audio is tied directly to the individual page. The option for audio to continue throughout the reading of a digital edition is possible but will require some adjustments to our technology, please contact your sales representative if this is a required feature. |
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Can I host the digital edition myself?
Yes, you can host your digital edition content pages on your own servers. There are a few technical requirements that your sales representative will discuss with you. |
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What about updating my digital edition?
Introducing a new product mid-year or need to update specs? There's no need to worry about wasted brochure inventory with digital edition. digital edition pages can be added to or revised as needed and you are only charged your earned page rate. |
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What do you need from an artwork standpoint to create my digital edition?
digital edition Media prefers to receive electronic files in PDF format at 300 dpi. If documents are currently in PostScript files, if possible, please convert to PDF format using Acrobat Distiller 4.0 (or greater) with all fonts embedded (text & image PDF). Flash (SWF) files are also accepted.
However, our service also accepts working with and converting Quark, PageMaker, and InDesign documents. If you are using another format, please inquire and we will let you know whether we can support it. |
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Is there any limitation on lifespan of my digital edition "copies"?
NO. Historically we find that 90 % of digital editions are opened with in the first 2 weeks of each email blast. Our standard PSP (Publishing Service Provider) package currently includes creation of your digital edition plus 12 months hosting. Additional hosting services are available beyond the initial 12-month period. Please ask for a quote from your sales representative.
Is there any limitation on the number of pages I can include?
No. Surveys of digital editions show the length has no real impact on reading. Users tend to come to the digital edition multiple times and will read just a section or an article, returning later for the rest - much as they do with their print counterpart. |
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Is there a way we can direct readers to our online sales outlets?
Yes, if you are currently selling online, digital edition can link directly to your existing dealer(s) or your own website. If you'd like to create an e-commerce presence within your sales materials, the digital edition is an excellent solution. |
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What is the viewing size for a digital edition?
For optimal viewing we currently design at a screen resolution size of 1024 x 768 pixels at 72 dpi for a 17" monitor. Alternately, digital editions can be created at 800 X 600 pixels or 1280 X 1024 pixels depending on how you feel your viewers have or have not climbed up the technology curve. |
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Can digital editions be accessed from all browsers?
The digital edition FX can be accessed from all platforms and browsers that have Flash Player 6 or above installed. Flash Player is a browser plug-in from Macromedia that is installed on 98% of Internet-enabled computers. It is available for free from
Macromedia's web site
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How do you handle email blasts?
We will supply an animated GIF and link for you to embed in an email to send to your database. Usually clients want to do their own email blasts or use their regular e-marketing services (to protect their email lists). We also offer this service to our clients, if they need it. |
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Can my digital edition be printed?
digital edition print technology allows you to request one page, all pages, or a range of pages (e.g. page 5-10) to be printed in either portrait or landscape mode. |
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Can we have a survey attached to the digital edition and where does survey information go?
Yes, real-time surveys can be added to a digital edition. The information is tabulated as raw data at a site called Zoomerang. We then forward this raw data spreadsheet on to the client. For a service fee we will put the raw data into an easy-to-read document. |
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