An essential asset of digital publishing is the ability to offer your audience exclusive content. While private publications can help you keep internal documents confidential, they can also help you create a stronger relationship with your readers, clients and future customers.
In this article, learn about the benefits of exclusive content and tips for your publishing strategy on Calaméo.
BUILD YOUR BRAND
Certainly, your digital publications are a powerful tool for informing your audience. But don’t underestimate their power to enhance your brand, too. Limiting the availability of your content can concentrate the link with your brand. For instance, you may wish to keep your publications on Calaméo private. But you can still make them easy to browse on your own website with our embed feature for private publications.
In addition to convenient embeds, you can also take advantage of opportunities to enhance your exclusive content with interactive content and custom branding. As a result, your digital publications will be 100% you.
In recent years, focusing on subscriptions has been a strong trend in digital publishing and exclusivity is a key factor. By offering content that only subscribers can access, you can tempt casual readers to sign up, establish contacts and encourage your audience to keep returning.
The flexible Subscribers feature provides a built-in solution for publishing subscribers-only content on Calaméo. First, secure exclusive publications behind a log-in window. Next, assign each subscriber a unique user name and password to use for access. In short, the first step to creating a great subscriber experience is exclusive content.
SUPPORT SALES
Personalization is already the next big thing in digital marketing. Recent studies have shown that when used well, it can help boost sales online. In fact, more than two-thirds of customers expect a personalized experience.
Those numbers are just one reason why you might want to consider tailoring your sales material to individual clients. Take a little time to customize your brochures, presentations and proposals. Then, publish on Calaméo and share with your prospects via private URL.
💡TIP: To generate a new private URL for your publication, open the share window and click on “Renew private URL.”
REWARD LOYALTY
Because everyone loves perks. And your audience is no exception! Investing in some exclusive, privately published bonus content will surprise and delight your most dedicated followers. For example, you might offer an extra magazine issue, sneak peek at upcoming events or flyer with special deals. Publishing on Calaméo ensures that your bonus content looks great in a fun format. Plus, direct downloads let fans enjoy it even offline.
No matter how you choose to publish exclusive content, measuring its performance should be part of your strategy. Calaméo’s advanced statistics contain valuable data to help you analyze the success of your private publications. For more details on where to start, check out our quick guide to digital publishing KPIs.
On Calaméo, you can publish and share up to 50 private publications—absolutely free. Get your free account and start creating exclusive content today.
You can’t have missed it: in graphic design, the color blue is everywhere. It’s even the most popular color for logos! So, from turquoise to sapphire, cobalt to azure, let’s investigate why blue is so ubiquitous.
Here is a quick summary of the themes that we will cover in this article:
Let’s start with an accurate definition of the color blue.
Blue: a simple primary color?
As we learned early on at school: blue is a primary color. However, it’s not quite that simple. In the additive color model (or RGB for Red, Green, Blue), which is used to define the colors diffused on our screens on websites and digital communications, blue is indeed a primary color. Yet for printed materials, the primary blue shade used is actually a cyan tint (blue-green). The printing industry uses the subtractive color model, or CMYK for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black.
The many hues of blue
Blue is a chromatic color, composed of hundreds of shades between green and violet.
Although blue is considered a cool color (as opposed to a warm red), shades of blue can be warmer or cooler depending on their undertones. The undertones are the secondary colors that are mixed with your blue: a little green will give you a peacock blue or teal, for example.
In addition, saturation also plays an important role: from a dull hue (blue-gray) to a vibrant hue (electric blue).
Finally, brightness will also determine your shade of blue: from a deep, dark shade like midnight blue, to a light shade like sky blue.
So, if you used to say that blue was your favorite color, you can now be more precise! As we have just seen, the range of blue is very wide. You probably have a preference between navy blue, pastel blue and electric blue!
💡TIP: The choice is yours! Be creative when choosing a shade of blue, don’t use a shade that is too close to your competitors’.
Blue and civilizations: history and perceptions
Now that we have defined the color blue, let’s begin to answer our question about the ubiquity of this color in graphic design by focusing on its history and its relationship to past and present civilizations.
A short history of the color blue
The birth of “blue”
This may surprise you, but blue was only born in the Middle Ages. Before that, neither its name nor its concept had been defined. In other words, blue was not a notion that existed at that time for human beings. However, this does not mean that there were no blue objects, just that blue was not considered a color in its own right. Anything blue was described with the colors that existed at the time. It’s very difficult to conceive of in this day and age!
A history of pigments
Blue is rarely found in nature, and natural blue pigments are therefore scarce. As a matter of fact, the only natural blue pigments come from indigo (a plant), pastel (a plant) and lapis lazuli (a mineral).
Civilizations quickly learned how to create synthetic blue pigments. The first of these was invented by the Egyptians in ancient times, called Egyptian blue. Prussian blue, Cobalt blue and Phthalocyanine blue are some other examples of synthetic blue pigments.
It is interesting to note that although blue did not yet have a name, human beings already seemed to be fascinated by this color to the point of trying to create pigments.
Blue and perceptions
Past perceptions
Today, blue is a color that is part of our daily lives, but this was not always the case. In ancient Rome, blue was despised: it was a symbol of ridicule and even associated with barbarians.
From the Middle Ages, the color took on a divine connotation and it started to appear on many religious works of art. It then became the color of the monarchy (of divine rights) a little later.
Finally, in the 20th century, all of humanity embraced the color blue when blue jeans came into fashion.
Current perceptions
As we have seen, depending on the era or culture, the feelings and connotations associated with certain colors can vary. Let’s take a look at current perceptions around the color blue.
In English, we say “feeling blue” to describe feelings of depression, but when we have “blue skies ahead” it means that we are optimistic about the future. In French, “être fleur bleue” means to be romantic or sentimental, and “avoir une peur bleue” means scared to death! So, blue can evoke several disparate images depending on the language.
Here are a few examples of different perceptions associated with the color blue:
Current universal perceptions
confidence
security
eternity
calm
peace
freedom
nostalgia
Specific cultural perceptions
nobility, royalty: royal blue, to have “blue blood”
workers: “blue collar” laborers, as opposed to “white collar” office workers
💡TIP: Although the feelings commonly associated with the color blue are calm and confidence, it is always a good idea to check the perception of each hue you plan to use in your communications against your target audience and their culture.
Blue in art
We couldn’t talk about blue in graphic design without also mentioning blue in art. Of course, graphic design draws inspiration from art! We can find blue in many works of art: from Van Gogh’s Starry Night to Hokusai’s The Great Wave to Andy Warhol’s Colored Mona Lisa.
So, while we will only cite a few interesting examples of the use of blue in art below, there are certainly many others.
The Jardin Majorelle
Have you heard of this villa and garden in Morocco, painted entirely in a special cobalt blue shade? It has become a very famous destination because it is so unique.
French painter Jacques Majorelle was inspired by Marrakesh and built a villa with its own botanical garden in the 1930s. But he did not stop there, he also created the “Majorelle blue” color and decided to paint the walls of his villa with it.
This garden has become a huge source of inspiration for artists and creatives, notably for French fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent.
💡 REMEMBER: Use blue in bold, new, unexpected, and inspiring ways.
Yves Klein: IKB blue
Let’s focus now on another inventor of blue: Yves Klein. He is the creator of IKB blue, or International Klein Blue, a shade close to ultramarine blue. He is a visual artist who used his invention, the IKB, in many works, including monochrome, meaning using only this color.
💡 REMEMBER: You can use blue as a trademark, a unique blue that makes you recognizable.
Picasso: the Blue Period
Our final example of the use of blue in art is Picasso’s Blue Period from 1901 to 1904. Deeply affected by the death of a loved one, the young painter began to paint in shades of blue to express his grief.
💡 REMEMBER: Colors can relay messages and express feelings.
Blue in graphic design and brand visual identity
After our extensive theoretical overview on the color blue, which we hope will have convinced you of its importance, let’s move on to a practical study: how do brands use blue? Plus, how to use it well in your brand identity and, by extension, in your digital publications on Calaméo.
Because blue is humankind’s favorite color, it seems obvious that using it in your designs is a good idea since it will appeal to a very large portion of your clients and prospects. In addition, there are many positive associations with this color: confidence, peace, calm. People will associate your brand with these qualities instantly.
So, just by using blue in your brand style guide, the public will have a positive perception of your brand.
For the user experience
In graphic design, it’s important to focus on the user experience and make it as pleasant as possible for everyone. Blue being the color least affected by color vision disorders, it is a good choice for your graphic design.
Examples of blue in brand style guides
To help you use blue in your visual identity and in your communications, here are some interesting examples of the use of blue in brand style guides and good ideas to inspire your creativity.
Ikea: unmistakable
How can we talk about blue in graphic design without talking about Ikea? Ikea uses two strong colors that stand out and give a unique and recognizable visual identity. It’s probably the only furniture store that you are able to recognize from afar, wherever you are in the world, thanks to its blue and yellow sign and blue exterior.
💡 REMEMBER: Partner two strong colors that contrast, such as complementary colors, for a big impact. For example: combine blue with orange or yellow tones.
These distinctive colors reflect those of the Swedish flag. This choice reinforces Ikea’s brand identity: from the names of the products to the types of dishes offered in their restaurants to their brand style guide…all of these elements emphasize the company’s origins.
💡REMEMBER: Use specific colors to reinforce your brand identity.
Major players on the web: all in shades of blue
Among the major Internet companies, almost all of their logos are blue. You can see some examples above. What at the beginning was perhaps a strategic choice seems to have turned into a trend. We can imagine that the choice of a blue logo of the first entities on the Internet reflects the desire to have an image of stability and confidence in this new virtual world that seemed ephemeral. As a result, blue logos are now associated with tech and web companies.
💡REMEMBER: Study your competitors and their brand style guides; if they all use the same codes, there may be a reason.
Calaméo: blue for emphasis
Finally, we wanted to tell you about our use of blue. Although blue is not our main color and does not appear in our logo, we do have a very specific use for it. We use blue to highlight and emphasize important messages. As you can see, on our blog the links are in blue and stand out.
💡REMEMBER: You can use a shade of blue in your graphic design without it being a main color. Do not hesitate to give it a specific function.
In this respect, many brands use blue in their visual identity, and the color performs different functions for each. From main color to accent color, it is a matter of finding the best way to incorporate this color in your style guide so that it completes your brand and identity.
Blue is a fascinating color: its history, its many uses in art, and all its different meanings and connotations. That’s why blue has become an essential color in graphic design.
Don’t hesitate to use it in your brand identity and in your digital publications. Blue used with ingenuity, in an original shade or in combination with unusual shades, will make you stand out and will make your content unforgettable.
Communication is a crucial issue for municipalities. As local players, they must inform citizens, publish administrative documents and promote their initiatives. However, in the face of increasing digitalization, traditional means of communication are no longer sufficient to meet the expectations of citizens, who demand accessible, up-to-date and interactive information. Against this backdrop, digital publishing is emerging as an innovative solution, enabling municipalities to modernize their communications.
Thanks to tools like Calaméo, local authorities can disseminate their content more effectively while reducing costs. In this article, we explore how municipalities can use digital publishing to improve their communication practices.
Today’s communication challenges for municipalities
Municipalities face a number of communication challenges:
Multiple communication channels
Today’s citizens use a multitude of channels to obtain information: social networks, websites, newsletters, mobile applications and more. For municipalities, this means having to manage multiple platforms while maintaining a consistent message.
Accessibility and transparency
Access to public information is a legal requirement, but also a growing expectation on the part of citizens. It is becoming increasingly necessary to guarantee total transparency and easy access to official documents. However, managing paper documents or using disparate digital channels makes this task complex and inefficient.
Key benefits of digital publishing
Digital publishing offers a number of advantages for municipalities.
Instant and wide distribution
With tools like Calaméo, municipalities can distribute their documents and publications instantly to a wide audience. Newsletters, minutes of meetings and by-laws can be consulted immediately after they have been put online, accessible to all at any time.
Optimizing costs and resources (paperless)
Switching to digital publishing enables municipalities to significantly reduce their printing and distribution costs. By eliminating paper documents, municipalities can save resources while adopting an eco-responsible approach.
Digital publications can be viewed on any device: computer, tablet or smartphone. This enables citizens to consult local information at any time, wherever they are, thus improving access to public information.
Examples of use for municipalities
Digital publishing offers a wide range of applications for local authorities. Here are a few examples:
Interactive municipal newsletters
Municipal newsletters can be enriched with videos, links and interactive images, offering a more engaging reading experience for citizens.
Regulatory publications (by-laws, local urban plans)
Municipalities can publish regulatory documents such as by-laws or local urban plans online, enabling citizens to access them easily without having to travel.
Practical guides and tourist brochures
Practical guides, tourist brochures and information on municipal services can also be published online, making it easier to disseminate important information to residents and visitors alike.
Why should you use Calaméo?
Calaméo offers municipalities a complete solution for putting their documents online, optimizing them and distributing them efficiently.
Enriched, engaging publications
Calaméo is an intuitive platform for converting documents into interactive publications. Municipalities can create publications enriched with links, videos and much more – and distribute them online.
Powerful analysis tools
Our platform also offers analysis tools to track the performance of publications and understand how citizens interact with them. Thanks to these detailed analyses, municipalities can track in real time the number of views, the time spent on each page and the actions taken by readers (such as clicks on links or videos).
Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential if your publications are to be easily found on search engines such as Google. With Calaméo, municipalities can optimize their account and publication descriptions, as well as use strategic keywords in the titles and texts of their publications.
Simplified multi-channel distribution
Another of Calaméo’s great strengths is its ability to easily distribute your publications via multiple channels. Municipalities can integrate their interactive documents directly onto their website, but also share them on their social networks such as Facebook, Twitter (X) or LinkedIn.
All these features give municipalities greater flexibility and efficiency in their communications with citizens, while optimizing the management and distribution of their publications.
Conclusion
Digital publishing represents a real opportunity for municipalities to modernize their communications and better meet citizens’ expectations. By opting for solutions like Calaméo, municipalities can distribute their documents more widely, reduce costs and make public information more accessible. Thanks to this approach, they can reinforce their transparency and efficiency, while adapting to new digital communication practices.
READ MORE: 
Request your