Building a Content Strategy for Digital Success: A Guide for Self-Publishers

Welcome to the first installment of our series on crafting a content strategy for digital success. Drawing from a decade of experience working alongside our users, we delve into the unique journey of self-publishers. Success in digital publishing isn’t always measured by revenue but by achieving the goals set for your project. This journey is often filled with creativity, talent, moments of frustration, and a steadfast resolve to reach the finish line.

In this series, we’ll explore how self-publishers can strategically navigate the path to their goals. We’ll use two illustrative examples to guide our discussion:

Wilkommen ABC: isually engaging picture dictionary designed to help Syrian refugees, especially children, adapt to life in German refugee camps. The initiative, led by Anna Karina Birkenstock, underscores the collaborative effort to provide immediate and practical assistance to newcomers in Germany. You can learn more about this initiative here.

See the book in action:

Legentibus App by Latinitium: an innovative digital resource designed to transform traditional Latin learning through synchronized audiobooks and eBooks, available on both Apple Store and Google Play. You can learn more about it here.

1. Define Your Idea
The foundation of any successful digital content project lies in a well-defined idea. This involves more than just having a concept; it requires a clear vision of what you want to achieve and how it will resonate with your target audience. Your idea should be rooted in a specific need or interest, offering something unique and valuable.

Start by asking yourself these critical questions:

• What problem does my content solve? Identify the gap your project aims to fill or the challenge it seeks to address.
• Who is my target audience? Understand the demographics, preferences, and behaviors of your potential readers or users.
• What unique value do I offer? Determine what sets your project apart from existing content. This could be your approach, the format, or the insights you provide.

By answering these questions, you can crystallize your idea into something that is digitally meaningful and strategically sound. For Wilkommen ABC, the core idea was to engage children by letting them interact with language through play and great illustrations. In the case of Legentibus, the goal was to transform traditional Latin teaching materials into accessible audio formats.

2. Get the Right Tool
Content creation in the digital space often requires technical skills, which can be a barrier for many creative minds. However, a range of tools like PubCoder can help bridge this gap. PubCoder, for instance, is ideal for storytelling, creating interactive content, and reaching a global audience with its multi-language capabilities.

3. Reach Your Audience
Perhaps the most challenging step is connecting with your audience. It’s not uncommon for content creators to release their work into the world only to be met with silence. Success in this area requires a clear understanding of your audience. For example, the Wilkommen project targeted operators in refugee camps, offering them valuable tools to assist children. On the other hand, the founder of Latinitium leveraged his existing network of students, informing them about the new digital resources available through PubCoder Shelf.

4. Keep Working
Unlike printed materials, digital content is dynamic. It requires ongoing effort to remain relevant and engaging. Continual updates and interactions with your audience are crucial. The success of Wilkommen ABC has led to its adoption in various contexts, which you can read about here. Similarly, Latinitium has continuously expanded its offerings on PubCoder Shelf to maintain engagement with its audience.

Final Thoughts Building a successful digital content strategy is a nuanced process that extends beyond creation to include management, distribution, and continuous engagement. By understanding your tools and audience, and committing to the ongoing evolution of your content, you can achieve the objectives of your digital project.

Stay tuned for more insights in this series, as we continue to explore the landscape of digital success from various perspectives. If you’re a self-publisher looking to navigate these waters, we’re here to help. For more information, visit our contact page or reach out for a personal consultation.