Issuu has launched ‘digital sales’ to let publishers sell their periodicals.

Positive charge

Until now, content on Issuu has been freely distributed. Publishers could embed advertising, but couldn’t charge their readers to access content.

Now, Issuu’s premium plan members get access to its new ‘digital sales’ platform. It promises easy set-up and compatibility with all devices.

Through it, they can set and adjust prices, and sell content on a per-product basis or by subscription.

Price of monetisation

Issuu’s online payments will be powered by Stripe. It looks like publishers are going to need a Stripe account to use it.

Both Issuu and Stripe have their fingers in this pie. Stripe will charge 30 cents per transaction, plus 2.9% of the total.

Issuu’s cut is reported to be 30% of the retail price.

Timing and future fortunes

The comes as the culture of and strategy for online journalistic content is changing. Google’s scrapping of the ‘first-click-free’ policy has led to a realignment.

After about a month of private beta, ‘digital sales’ launched to the broader population in mid-October 2017.

Their timing is pretty good. I manage some Issuu publications for clients, and it seems this will force a rethink of monetisation options.

Is internet content set to be swayed by subscriptions, or will ads and/or sponsored content reclaim the high ground?

Copy Transmission is a Melbourne-based agency :: Better Brands. Loud & Clear.