I recently participated in a LinkedIn discussion about the enjoyability of reading online magazines. There were a lot of reasons, beyond mere nostalgia, for people to love their paper. Some of these included portability, the illustrations, beautiful photography and just the activity of turning the pages or cozying up with a good read in your bed. While I think eReader devices (even the up and coming larger iPad) are pleasantly portable, and that e-ink technology has made reading less jarring, I'm not sure the luxurious side of reading is being addressed. Design, layout, photography, and illustrations are an art form and that art form is being tampered with if not left out entirely.
I do believe that one can create art within a digital read. As with any art, it takes care and effort. But I feel this is what really sets the tone for a magazine and that it's more necessary than some strictly business types fully realize.
Here, in my opinion, are some adjustments that can be made to have readers more enjoy the experience:
1. Don't skimp on layout. Find a way to include beauty and design. Flash magazines retain traditional print design layouts beautifully in a transfer from pdf. HTML Apps require good web design skills to attain an aesthetic layout. While it may not be as organic as your print layouts, be sure it's still clean and simple. Whatever digital format you choose, spend the time to use it well.
2. Enlarge your fonts from what you are used to printing. Digital reading IS harder for most people, so larger fonts help a lot.
3. Use your content wisely. If you have a website, start allowing your magazine or ebook to carry a comfortable amount of good content out to your readers and then put extra content back at your website. You can easily link between your magazine and additional content on a webpage, so let the magazine remain uncluttered and visually appealing. Each aspect of your content delivery program has it's best aspects, so work each one to its advantage whether it's the magazine, a webpage or Twitter.
4. Make navigation easy, obvious and consistent. I have frequently made the mistake of assuming a reader would know what to do with a digital publication. Even still, adding "tools" on a page isn't the first thing I think of. But take it from me, don't be afraid to make it obvious. Aesthetic, but obvious. And since you are digital, readers will come to expect certain things like easy clicks to any page references. So take the time to make it work well and their reading will flow better for it.
5. Include rich media, again wisely. Rich media is the spice of online reading. Videos can be incredibly helpful and I personally love having the option to gain more insight through a video. Slideshows instead of a photo give more views and add a little movement. A voiceover let's you hear the author. And a well done, discreet animation can bring a smile. But overdoing things or being intrusive is alienating, so again be wise about what you put on your pages.
I'd love to hear feedback from digital magazine readers and producers on any other suggestions that make them more enjoyable!