Pickanews: a strategic marketing tool and

online sales channel for publishers

Publisher FAQ

What is Pickanews?

► Pickanews is an international multimedia search engine indexing more than 50 000 European media sources which integrates an online news stand selling electronic and paper publications. The site allows users to search information by keyword, by type of publication or by subject. Pickanews indexes all information produced by the written press and other leading media sources (web, radio and television) over the past three months.

How is Pickanews different than « classic » search engines?

►The algorithms of standard search engines are designed find and present web pages based on their popularity: what matters is not the pertinence of the information on the sites, but the number of visitors they’ve been able to attract.  Furthermore, the major search engines conscientiously put forward « community » sites (blogs and forums). In sum, it’s the quantity of visitors that determines a page’s result in the search rank, not the quality of the information put forward.

Pickanews puts forward information produced by professional media (print, radio, television, specialized web sites), the vast majority of which has been written by journalists. This gage of quality is crucial for persons seeking information for professional or university needs. By indexing editorial content, Pickanews allows users to find quality information that meets their needs.

How do you present the information found in the different publications?

► Pickanews’ large media database indexes information produced by publishers over the past three months. When the user searches for a key word(s), Pickanews puts forward a listing of the different publications containing the text. The listing includes a scan of the page on which the information is found and a short excerpt (1 or 2 sentences) of the corresponding article. The visual of the page allows users to read the headings but not the text itself, because in no case does Pickanews offer the possibility to read publications free of charge. In order to read the content found via his search, the user must purchase the publication, either through the editor’s web site or directly on Pickanews. Our utmost concern is to protect the editorial content.

<< An example of search results on Pickanews. The user sees the general layout and large headings of each page, yet he may not read the text. The requested keywords appear in blue. A listing beneath the excerpt of the text indicates if other pages of that particular issue also contain the requested information.

How does the user purchase a publication directly from an editor?

► All search results present a link allowing the user to go directly to the editor’s web site.

How does the user purchase a publication directly from Pickanews?

► When editors opt for a Pickanews contract, the user may purchase the publication in electronic or paper format directly from the search result, an option that significantly increases spontaneous purchases.  The editor may thus sell a digital copy, a paper copy or even a subscription, precisely when the customer needs the information!  Furthermore, with our free digital service, users can read the publication in electronic format immediately after purchase to instantly access the information they need. All logistics related to the shipment of purchased paper copies will be handled by our partner. Clients are delivered within 2 to 4 days, depending on the efficiency of postal services.

When they click on a search result, users open a window which presents the magazine in a larger, yet still unreadable, format. They may flip through the pages to get an overall view of the publication. The options presented to the right of the publication vary in accordance to the contract signed between the publisher and Pickanews:  they may visit the publisher’s web site (picture on left) or purchase the publication in paper or digital format (picture on right). The digital option, a service offered free of charge to editors, allows users to read the publication immediately upon purchase.

Why should publishers sell their publications directly on Pickanews?

► Beyond the notion of spontaneous purchases, already mentioned, selling publications on Pickanews gives publishers the opportunity to increase their presence on the web. Pickanews is another sales channel, completely free of charge, that requires no marketing efforts: it’s the editorial that sells the magazine!  The entire experience for the visitor is as simple as walking into a real kiosk, flipping through the title and buying issues or subscriptions on the spot.

How much does it cost to present my publications on Pickanews?

► The indexing of different media on Pickanews is entirely free of charge. Publishers are free to index all their titles in order to maximise their chances of meeting a user’s need for information.

How much does Pickanews charge to transfer paper publications to digital format?

► As with indexing, the transfer of paper publications to digital format is completely free of charge.

How much does it cost to make a digital version of my publication?

►Press Index makes an electronic version of each publication free of charge.

Why offer a digital format on Pickanews?

►The digital format allows users to purchase an electronic version of the publication. This format allows users to access the content of the magazine immediately after purchase and reduce the purchase price by avoiding postage and handling fees. Furthermore, the electronic format allows editors to respond to the growing consumer needs of producing information with a lowered ecological impact. As far as editors are concerned, the electronic format of a publication allows them to sell copies even if there is no more stock of the paper issue. The electronic version also allows editors to instantly deliver information to readers around the world, thus avoiding the numerous mishaps of international magazine delivery. Furthermore, the electronic versions allow subscribers to easily obtain issues prior to the start of their subscription and allow editors to sell back issues without worrying about the logistics of delivery. Last but not least, as our digitalisation services are entirely free of charge and require no postage or logistics on the editors’ behalf, all sales of electronic publications are 100% profit!

How can I be certain that my publications in digital format won’t be copied?

►In order to protect the publications published online, the Pickanews reader prohibits downloads.

Only people whom have purchased the publications at the predetermined publisher rate may access the publications in a readable digital format via their user account.

How long are electronic publications available online?

► As with the paper versions of the publications, Pickanews references electronic publications of the past three months.

How do you manage special issues?

►Special issues and back issues are included in the contract and can be referenced and sold on the site under the same conditions.

What is the source of revenue for Pickanews?

►Press Index offers the indexations and transformation of your publications into digital format free of charge.

All publications and subscription sales in paper of electronic format are sold at the price established by the editor. Press index receives a 50% commission on all sales. This commission is attributed only in the event of a sale: no fees are charged to the publisher to be indexed or to present their publication if its editorial corresponds to a user search. In sum, editors may present all of their publications online, in paper or electronic format, completely free of charge.

Besides selling publications, how is Pickanews useful for publishers?

►Pickanews allows publishers to promote their publications on line in order to recruit new readers. When a user searches for information, he or she is presented with all the publications which have covered that topic within the past three months. All publications concerned are presented in the search results, giving each editor an equal opportunity to reach the reader. Contrary to the classic search engines, the search results are based on the pertinence of the information found, giving the smaller editors as much of a chance of reaching the public as the large editors.

Furthermore, each and every search gives the user the opportunity to visit the web sites of the publications listed in the search results. These are additional leads that provide more traffic to the editor’s web site.

What if the content of a publication is free of charge?

►If a publication is available free of charge, the user will be able to access it directly on the web site of the publisher in question via the link presented in the search results. Even if the content is free of charge, Pickanews will not supply it to the user, for the role of Pickanews is to help the user find the information.

Does Pickanews also reference the editors’ web sites?

► Yes. In this case the search results show the publisher’s web site. If the content is free of charge, the user will be able to read it. If not, he must purchase the rights directly from the publisher. In both cases, Pickanews brings qualified visitors to the publisher’s site.

How can publishers put forward their publications on Pickanews?

► Publications can be sold in paper or electronic formati, by single issue or through subscription. Two steps (and 10 minutes) suffice to take advantage of this unique sales channel:

1. Set up a free subscription for each of your paper publications to be sent to:

Pickanews – Press Index Ltd

11 – 13 Charlotte Street

LONDON W1T 1RH

 2. Fill out, sign and return the Electronic contract (available upon request:

educret@pressindex.com)

Pickanews makes a digital version of the magazine from the paper edition. There is thus no need to send us a PDF of the publication.

How are the logistics of paper sales on Pickanews handled?

► The distribution of paper publications purchased on Pickanews is handled by our partner. This service allows a rapid delivery to the final reader whilst allowing the publisher to sell individual copies without worrying about logistics or using up valuable employee time.

Users who purchase the paper version of a publication may access, free of charge and for 5 days only, the electronic version of the publication. This allows them to read the information instantly and look through the publication before receiving it by mail. This combines the instant gratification of an internet purchase with the reading comfort of a paper purchase.

► Who is a « typical » Pickanews user?

Pickanews users are professionals who are used to purchasing information. What matters to our users is the quality and the reliability of the requested information. This makes Pickanews users an ideal public for publishers of both professional and general publications.