News
TMG announces launch of Telegraph Wine Cellar
Telegraph Media Group has announced the launch of new subscription, Telegraph Wine Cellar, in partnership with Enotria&Coe.
Ecommerce & Affiliate Revenue
Magazine editors have always sold things. A recommendation in a trusted title moves product, and ecommerce is the attempt to get paid for that influence directly rather than through the advertising around it.
There are several ways in. Affiliate links in reviews and buying guides earn commission when readers already intend to buy. Others go further: Marie Claire built a shopping platform carrying more than a million products, while the London Review of Books grew a small online shop into a business with its own US warehouse. Hearst has turned the Good Housekeeping Institute's product testing into accreditation and licensing.
Get it right, and the revenues will flow. Get it wrong, and you’ll wish that you’d stuck to the knitting.
Jim Bilton The Ecommerce Challenge
For most publishers commerce is still a small share of revenue, and the risks are real, from culture and technology to the trust readers place in editorial. Disclosing commercial links tends to help conversion rather than hurt it, and smaller publishers have done well by testing cheaply before committing.
The ground is shifting as well. Shoppers increasingly research products through AI search and social creators, and much of the credit for a sale ends up with cashback and voucher sites.
Below you'll find some of our best feature articles on ecommerce and affiliate revenue for publishers, from affiliate content and online shops to licensing and trust, alongside our latest news and industry commentary.
Essential Resources
MEDIA FUTURES
The Ecommerce Challenge
Ecommerce – the future of media or a dangerous distraction? Get it right and it can transform your company’s financials. Get it wrong, writes Jim Bilton, and it can destroy your business. And there are plenty of examples of both.
E-commerce Special
Our e-commerce strategy: Immediate Media
Inject personality into e-commerce content by showing audiences the individual recommending the products, and why they’re qualified to do so, says Beth Crane, director of commercial growth.
FEATURE
Building affiliate revenue streams: dos and don’ts
In a time when consumers are being offered content for free, new revenue streams for publishers are always worth exploring. Keith Walker explains the lessons learned regarding affiliate revenue and what it means for your brand.
FEATURE
The Pillars of Ecommerce Success
One publishing brand that seems to have nailed ecommerce is Marie Claire, both in the UK and, more recently, in the US. Ciar Byrne looks at its winning strategy.
E-commerce Special
Our e-commerce strategy: London Review of Books
LRB’s strategy is to engage its audience with new and exciting products as well as creating new iterations of its cult ranges, says Jill Tytherleigh, head of e-commerce and product development.
E-commerce Special
Our e-commerce strategy: Singletrack World
The future of Singletrack World’s e-commerce strategy focuses on two key areas: reducing friction and consolidating touchpoints, says Mark Alker, co-founder.
INTERVIEW
Monetising trusted relationships
Consumer magazine media has a bright future, James Wildman tells Meg Carter, because of the substantial opportunities to build new revenue streams on the back of deep reader engagement.
FEATURE
Digital complexities move licensing off the page into new consumer channels
The border busting reality of digital publishing has radically altered the traditional licensing model. But opportunities still abound to leverage your brand in overseas markets. Peter Houston reports.
COLUMN
Making a success of ecommerce
Ecommerce is often cited by publishers as an obvious area for revenue diversification. But how to make a success of it?
All Articles
News
Future acquires ShortList
Future has announced the acquisition of ShortList, enhancing its position in tech.
News
The Independent announces partnership with Bolt
The Independent has launched a new way to shop, in partnership with Bolt.
News
Air Business expands its e-commerce capabilities
Air Business, a distribution, fulfilment and subscriptions management company, has announced it will be providing a new home for the key client base of IMX, who specialise in e-commerce fulfilment and distribution.
News
BuzzFeed announces Q2 2022 financial results
Digital media company BuzzFeed, Inc. has announced their second quarter 2022 financial results, for the quarter ended June 30, 2022.
News
Immediate Media launches buyers’ guides
Immediate Media Co has launched The Recommended – offering tips and advice from experts into the best household, beauty, fitness and pet-care buys.
News
Future reveals expected consumer spending data
Future plc’s latest data shows the cost of living crisis is the number one concern for the UK public, yet 61% are quietly optimistic their spending will return to normal.
FEATURE
The Pillars of Ecommerce Success
One publishing brand that seems to have nailed ecommerce is Marie Claire, both in the UK and, more recently, in the US. Ciar Byrne looks at its winning strategy.
Q&A
Subs management: 5 minutes with… Chris Smith
With publishers increasingly focusing on subscription revenues, all aspects of how we manage our subscriber base are coming under scrutiny.
News
What Car? and Autocar partner with Auto Trader for used car sales
A new partnership was launched last week, with Auto Trader to power the used-car pages of two of Haymarket’s automotive brands, What Car? and Autocar.
News
Future acquires Who What Wear
Future has announced the acquisition of Who What Wear, a digital-only women's lifestyle publisher based in the US, from Clique Brands.
Q&A
Publishing software: 5 minutes with… Patrick Lidstone
Software makes the publishing world go round. We grab five minutes with Patrick Lidstone, co-founder of The Engine Shed, to see how independent publishers can use software to grow their businesses.
COLUMN
Making a success of ecommerce
Ecommerce is often cited by publishers as an obvious area for revenue diversification. But how to make a success of it?
News
Independent reports further revenue and profit growth
The Independent has published its financial results for the year ending 3 October 2021, reporting a fifth straight year of revenue and operating profit growth.
News
Delicate Rébellion opens Edinburgh store
Edinburgh-based independent print magazine Delicate Rébellion has opened their new bricks and mortar store and creative event space in the heart of the city.
