5 PDF killers that stand between you and your audience
Rethink your PDF routine!
I'm sure you know it. The “Content = King” feeling. Especially if your new e-book, white paper, or checklist is frequently viewed and the number of downloads goes through the roof. Wonderful to feel that you know, understand and touch the target group. And this generates new marketing-qualified leads. But what do you actually know about how your downloads are read, reviewed and distributed? Most likely not much. And the reason is obvious: you're using a PDF file. So you no longer have insight and control over the life of your content after the download. And your value is actually on the street. Do you still feel like a King now?
Read along with the 5 PDF killers below that stand between you and your audience. And that are easy to run with a more forward-looking solution.
1 PDFs are not mobile-friendly
What percent of content is read on mobile? Right, most of it. That's why content needs to be increasingly snackable and easy to consume. A PDF is designed for desktop and printer, but not for mobile. Do you still want to read a PDF on mobile? Then you have to zoom in and slide to read the piece. As a result, the reader drops out (quickly), because: too much hassle.
2 PDFs provide single-use data
Eighty downloads in one day is amazing! But that's all with a PDF. You now know who downloaded your white paper or e-book, but you don't know what happens to it afterwards. As a content marketer, wouldn't you like to know exactly how to use your High-Quality Content? Which headlines and links do your audience find most interesting? And how often and who will end up reading your white paper where? PDFs are unable to provide this relevant data because it is an offline file. And that's not even talking about its findability.
3 A PDF is quickly obsolete
Once a PDF has been distributed, there is no going back. This document will remain in the “downloads” folder and on your audience's computer for a period of days. But what if there is a relevant development in your market one month after publication? Then you want to be able to adjust and update this. Without having to launch a second version into the air. With a PDF, this is the undesirable practice.
4 PDFs are flat, dull, and dry
The biggest challenge for a content marketer is to make content stand out to the target group. And with new online publications every second, that challenge is increasing.
With a PDF, you are able to crack a nice note on content. But the form is limited and — in light of today — quite boring.
5 A PDF is a boomel train in a high-speed world
Above and under the ground. Blogs that say “3 minutes of reading time”. And clickbaits that ensure fast clicks and conversion. Speed and internet go hand in hand in many ways. A PDF is a boomel train with delaying stops. It takes several steps to obtain a PDF and be able to read it in PDF viewer. This is not ideal for the sender and receiver.
So what now?
Rethink your PDF routine! We are certainly not against using PDF. But, consider carefully whether a PDF is the best solution for your content and goals. So read along below with some of the features of valuable alternatives on the market that may make you even more King of Content in the future.
We are currently working for our customers and assignments with Foleon and Qwilr. See, for example, the online magazine we made for Ballast Nedam. Foleon, but also a party like Maglr offer a next level content experience platform where:
- Content adapts to the device you're using,
- All possible insights are provided about who, when and how your content is being consumed,
- The content is online and can therefore be adjusted continuously,
- There is space and possibility for moving images to complement the copy,
- And the desired speed is guaranteed.
Sparring about your content strategy together?
Contact Tanya, creator and creator of marketing and communication solutions with real results at effect group*, via tanya@effectgroep.nl
