Top 10 reasons digital publishing on Calaméo is best in class

In PUBLISHING
6 August 2020
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When it comes to sharing documents online, there are plenty of tools to choose from: file sharing services, digital publishing and even good old-fashioned email attachments. Digital publishing offers lots of advantages and here at Calaméo we work hard to make our platform the best choice for everyone. That’s why all of our users can enjoy great features like in-text search, private publications and more—absolutely free. Here are ten ways that Calaméo provides the best digital publishing platform for your documents.

Publish multiple file types

Your file doesn’t have to be a PDF in order be published on Calaméo. Our advanced conversion technology transforms Word, Powerpoint and Excel files into beautiful online publications, in addition to PDFs.

Multiple file upload

We want using Calaméo to be as easy and as streamlined as possible for our users—every minute of your workflow counts. That’s why you can batch upload up to 10 files at a time on Calaméo. Just drag and drop your documents and start publishing.

Automatic link detection

Another highlight of our conversion technology is its automatic link detection. Save even more time by adding external links to your PDF before upload, publish and share.

The Calaméo Editor

Interactivity sets digital experiences apart and we’re proud to help our users create engaging online publications. Our Editor offers a user-friendly tool for adding links, video, audio, GIFs and more to your documents on Calaméo.

Table of contents

Even long documents are simple to navigate when you include a table of contents in the publication viewer. Define a table of contents using Bookmarks in your original PDF, or add one to your finished publication with our handy widget.

Slide mode

We love the fun effect and visual flair of flipbooks, but we love giving our users options even more. Slide mode provides a sleek reading experience great for presentations. Select it when choosing a Display mode in your publication’s Properties.

Easy RTL reading

Publishing in a language that is read from right to left? On Calaméo, it’s no problem. Set the Reading mode of your publication as “From right to left” in its Properties so that your readers can browse smoothly.

Remove center shadow

The design of your publication is important and there are lots of ways to customize our viewer to show it off perfectly. Users who prefer a more flat design look for their digital documents can easily remove the flipbook’s center shadow: just add the “pagefxopacity=0” parameter to the URL of your publication.

Full-screen display

Remove distractions and help readers stay focused on your publication thanks to full-screen reading. With full-screen supported for desktop, in embedded publications and on Safari for iOS, you’re sure to find the choice that fits your digital publishing needs.

Publication embeds

Speaking of embedding your publications, Calaméo makes it painless. Decide exactly how you want your embedded publications to look in your website and collect the code in one click. Plus, even private publications can be embedded for greater security and control.

These are just ten of our favorite reasons why digital publishing on Calaméo is a best in class experience. We didn’t even have space to mention great features like our generous storage limits, nifty Library Widget or how simple it is to update a document.

We also think that you’ll love the advanced features of our professional plans, from in-depth statistics to Subscriber management.

Ready to see for yourself why Calaméo is the best digital publishing platform for your documents? Register for your free account and start publishing today.

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PUBLISHING

Create unique digital publications in 3 steps

In PUBLISHING
8 July 2021

Not all publications on Calaméo are the same, and that’s a good thing! You surely already know, but in communication, and more generally in marketing, you must know how to differentiate yourself while still being recognizable right away.

To help you create excellent publications, the entire Calaméo team got together to list their best tips for unique digital publications, and here is the result:

Step 1: Before importing your document on Calaméo

For a unique and recognizable publication, it starts with the writing (on your word processor) and the design (on your layout software).

Tone

The way you speak is an integral part of your brand’s identity. The tone you use is unique and should reflect your values: it can be funny, serious, informative – or any other adjective – it all depends on you and the character you want to give your brand. Find and adopt a tone that is specific to your business and use it in all your communications.

Document design

Design is a very important element in making you stand out. Having a strong brand style guide or graphic charter that you will use in all your communications – including your digital publications – is essential.

Remember to follow your brand style guide when using:

  • colors
  • typefaces
  • images and illustrations
  • your logos

And while it’s necessary to stand out, keep the user experience in mind: your content must be understandable and readable. Don’t lose the meaning of your message because of a layout that is too complex.

💡 TIP: Think of your document and its format according to the purpose it will have: will it be printed? Will it be downloaded? Or only viewed online? You should adjust your document accordingly (ex: no image for printing, etc.)

Step 2: When importing your document on Calaméo

When publishing your document on Calaméo, just before uploading it, you will have the opportunity to start working on the design of the viewer to offer a unique experience to your readers.

Choice of display mode

You can choose how the pages of your document will flow: scroll up, or a slideshow, or a flipbook with pages that turn like a magazine. Think carefully about how you want your publication to be displayed because each mode offers a different reading experience and comfort level.

Sound atmosphere

So far we’ve only talked about visuals, but with digital publishing you can also import audio elements. With a Premium or Platinum Calaméo account, you can add background music to your publication, as well as a sound effect each time the page turns to create a unique reading environment!

Personalizing the viewer

Another advantage reserved for Premium and Platinum users: you can add your logo and a customized background to the viewer. Of course, you should respect your graphic charter so that all your publications reflect your brand. For example: you can choose to create a single background that you will use for all your publications or you can create color variations that correspond to your charter.

Step 3: Once your document is posted on Calaméo

Once your document is posted on Calaméo, it becomes a publication. To make your publication unique and recognizable, you can use several of our personalization tools that will operate directly on your publication or on the viewer.

Adding interactivity

Thanks to our Editor tool, you can add all sorts of interactive elements to embellish your publications. You can add:

  • external links: send your readers to your site, to your sources or any other URL.

💡 TIP: thanks to the “Overlay” option (reserved for Platinum users) of the external link integration tool, you can also add forms that open directly in your publication

  • internal links: redirect to a page inside your document. You can make an interactive table of contents for example.
  • shopping links: link directly to the product information. For example, you can insert a shopping link over a photo of a product in your publication.
  • videos: for example, you can create personalized videos and insert them in each one of your digital publications, like a vlog, to give your content more personality.
  • audio tracks: add music that will accompany your readers on a single page or throughout the publication. You could also add music at a convenient time to create a specific mood: joy, fear, relaxation, etc.
  • media: think of all formats. You can add photos, images, animated GIFs, etc. Feel free to experiment!
  • zoom zones: created to improve visual comfort. You could also insert elements that are only readable with the help of this zoom zone like a small hidden QR code for example.

Thanks to the elements you can add with the Editor tool, you will be able to create an atmosphere specific to your brand: bring movement and energy by adding animated GIFs, recall the environment of your stores by adding a recognizable audio track, imagine unique experiences for contests etc.

💡 TIP: Learn how to use our Editor tool  

Personalizing the viewer (continued)

Thanks to our Elements tool (reserved for Platinum accounts), you can create custom themes and change the appearance of the viewer however you like. Change all the elements directly in the code: the social network buttons can change color, the navigation arrows can be a different size, etc.

💡 TIP: Explore the Elements tool and make your publication stand out with customization

The possibilities for customization are infinite with the digital publishing tools that allow you to create personalized content that is unique to you and your brand!

PUBLISHING

Is digital publishing right for you?

In PUBLISHING
23 September 2021

There are almost limitless possibilities in the realm of digital publishing. Whether you are using it for professional or personal purposes, there is something for everyone. But how can you know for sure if digital publishing is right for you and your goals? Let us help you with our questionnaire and solutions below!

Access anywhere

One of the major features of digital publishing is that you can access your publications from anywhere. If you are a frequent traveler, for example, or you have professional meetings outside of the office and need to access a presentation, digital publishing is a great solution for you. 

Everything in one place

Having all your documents in one place is a huge asset. You can easily access your materials without having to collect them from several different sites and services. Maybe you want potential clients to be able to view your entire portfolio at once. Or perhaps you’re a teacher and you’d like to post readings and assignments for your students all in one spot. You can even make a virtual library! If this sounds like something you need, then the verdict is in: digital publishing is right for you!

Interactive content

Digital publications don’t have to be boring and static. In fact, they shouldn’t be! You can make yours interactive and unique with music, sound effects, videos, GIFs, links, images, and more. Printed materials simply don’t provide the interactivity that digital publications do. If this appeals to you, then you should make the switch to digital publishing.

Marketing/sales strategies

Do you have something to promote or sell? While traditional marketing materials can be effective, digital marketing can reach a wider audience more quickly. Adding shopping links, strong clickable CTAs, and sharing your publication (more on that below), will enhance your sales and/or marketing strategies.

💡 TIP: Get your checklist for developing your digital publishing strategy.

Sharing 

Want to spread your digital publication far and wide? You can share it in just a few clicks! Embedding your publication on a website or sharing via social media is incredibly easy. If you want to ensure that your content reaches a wide audience, it’s time to embrace digital publishing.

Privacy

Don’t want everyone to be able to see your publications? No problem! You can choose who has access to your publications by making them private. Digital publishing is an excellent solution for those who want to limit or control how many people can view their publication.

Tracking

Oftentimes it’s hard to know whether your marketing campaign has been successful, or how many people have read your magazine article. Digital publishing offers several solutions for tracking your metrics. Calaméo has a built-in statistics feature, and PLATINUM members can link their Google Analytics account with Calaméo. So you will never be in the dark about metrics and data with digital publishing.

💡 TIP: Learn more about the KPIs to watch for your digital publications.

Personal projects

Publish your novel, share your newsletter, upload your thesis, start your own magazine. These (and more!) are all possible with digital publishing. The world is your oyster when it comes to using digital publishing for personal projects, especially with Calaméo.

Your turn!

As you can see, there are infinite reasons to use digital publishing for your sales and marketing strategies, your personal projects, and more. Plus, it’s remarkably easy! So no matter the project, digital publishing can be a solution for everyone! 

💡 TIP: To jump start your digital publishing journey, check out our Ultimate Guide to Digital Publishing!