Using Digital Publishing for Self Promotion

[Piewacket]

I have been experimenting with the website Issuu, to create digital magazine to enhance some of my blog posts. I love that you can also email a client or potential client the direct link for them to view the final product. I think this has amazing possibilities for self promotion. As well as commercial possibilites... I am already working with one client to turn a recent shoot into an online lookbook.

I am sure many of you are aware of the site, it is free to join and upload files, their software allows you to choose the format. I create a PDF in Bridge and just upload it...I did choose a Pro account though, to avoid ads.

It is pretty easy. I have even used it to present a final edit to a few clients. (They loved it!) You can privately publish so only they can see it. I am really obsessed with this site. I am seriously considering creating an entire magazine! It is something I have always wanted to do... I am also planning to prepare some portfolio uploads.

Here is the newest project I published today, if you go to my blog you can see how I have tied it all together and the cool embedded mini version you can post. If you are on an iPad you need to use this link. I even also created another section on my blog just for these (only have 2 so far).

Is anyone else using this site this way, or similar?

 

[robert blu]

I did not know this site but it seems me interesting. I'll think about and propably IO'll give a try...thanks for the info and the link. It is lunch time here now and today it is my turn, I'll give a deeper look in the afternoon...
robert
PS I like the cover picture of Star Bright...

 

[Piewacket]

It really is a fantastic tool!

 

[garryjones]

I was not aware of this tool, thanks for providing

 

[shadowfox]

Very nice!
You have a very good layout skills. And of course, your photos are good also.

 

[semordnilap]

Really cool... I like the idea a lot. Good work with it, too!

 

[Piewacket]

Thanks, I just finished creating my first actual portfolio using this. I linked it to my web site as an additional viewing option... You can even match the background color so it is all cohesive.

 

[Piewacket]

I posted more info about this on my blog today.

 

[robert blu]

I like the photos in your portfolio, the red curtain of pag.12, the eyes of the girl with a camera (olympus?) pag 18, the flower of pag 53 . This way to show work is for sure interesting. Did you choice yourself the sequences?
robert

 

[PKR]

How does Issuu make money? I notice they are on Willow Rd. In Menlo Park. Sunset is near by. Are they owned by Sunset Magazine? I read their terms and didn't understand some of "use" you grant them by using their service. Did you check this stuff out and can you explain any possible use issues?

 

[Shac]

Thanks, I just finished creating my first actual portfolio using this. I linked it to my web site as an additional viewing option... You can even match the background color so it is all cohesive.

Lara - fabulous images - thanks and thank you also for the link to Issuu

 

[Piewacket]

Hey All.

To Robert, yes I chose the sequence. Flow is very important to your presentation and I am pretty picky about it.

To PKR
I have a paid "Pro" account, cause I did not want ads or other mags shown with my presentations. So that would be one way they make money, I am paying 19.99 a month. They also work with a lot of big corps, who have corporate accounts... I am not sure how else they make money.

As far as the rights go, that is a slight concern, I think this is the part your talking about , which I admit, I did not read before hand:

"By distributing or disseminating Uploader Submissions through the Issuu Service, you hereby grant to Issuu a worldwide, non-exclusive, transferable, assignable, fully paid-up, royalty-free, license to host, transfer, display, perform, reproduce, distribute, and otherwise exploit your Uploader Submissions, in any media forms or formats, and through any media channels, now known or hereafter devised, including without limitation, RSS feeds, embeddable functionality, and syndication arrangements in order to distribute, promote or advertise your Uploader Submissions through the Issuu Service."

But I think this part at the end (in bold) means it has to be within promoting your work on their site and does not allow them to take a random image and sell it. Over all I am not too worried about it.
It is confusing so if anyone else has an ideal, let me know.

To Shac~ Thanks!

 

[sepiareverb]

Great site Thanks for the link!!

 

[PKR]

Hey All.


To PKR
I have a paid "Pro" account, cause I did not want ads or other mags shown with my presentations. So that would be one way they make money, I am paying 19.99 a month. They also work with a lot of big corps, who have corporate accounts... I am not sure how else they make money.

As far as the rights go, that is a slight concern, I think this is the part your talking about , which I admit, I did not read before hand:

"By distributing or disseminating Uploader Submissions through the Issuu Service, you hereby grant to Issuu a worldwide, non-exclusive, transferable, assignable, fully paid-up, royalty-free, license to host, transfer, display, perform, reproduce, distribute, and otherwise exploit your Uploader Submissions, in any media forms or formats, and through any media channels, now known or hereafter devised, including without limitation, RSS feeds, embeddable functionality, and syndication arrangements in order to distribute, promote or advertise your Uploader Submissions through the Issuu Service."

But I think this part at the end (in bold) means it has to be within promoting your work on their site and does not allow them to take a random image and sell it. Over all I am not too worried about it.
It is confusing so if anyone else has an ideal, let me know.

To Shac~ Thanks!

It looks like they could use your imagery to promote their business. If it involves images you have posted to a client, that belong to your client (depending on your client copyright agreement - in most cases I hold joint with the client) you may be jepordizing your clients images. I've seen policy changes with some of these people a few years down the road too.. Amazon changed their policy regarding private info held on customers. You might ask them about their use of images and if they archive the imagery that's uploaded to their servers. Are their servers on a cloud net? If so, how good is their security? Look at the current Sony thing. I have an image that made it's way to Mongolia. I'm waiting to see if it's ripped and made into posters. The digital file is water marked, but in this case, a large print - that's very easily scanned is in question. Protect your work. Read all the terms, if you don't understand them, talk to a publications lawyer. my 2 cents.

 

[Piewacket]

Good advice, thanks.