Canadian start-up Yourmagz.com launched the closed beta version of its SaaS content distribution platform today. You can sign up to view the site.
The platform – which can be described as a hybrid between social network platform Ning and web document sharing service Scribd – specializes in distributing publishers’ content across various websites, social networks, and mobile devices. So basically, a user creates a website (much like one can do on Ning), uploads print or video content and then can distribute a “virtual magazine” to Facebook and other social networks, mobile phones and websites with the click of a button. Each virtual magazine can have members who can comment and upload their own photos and videos.
Yourmagz will offer “freemium” based services, allowing anyone to use the technology’s core benefits for free. The founder says the premium service will be “low-cost” while declining to specify just how much he will charge for it. Yourmagz seems more likely to draw an independent, smaller publication. While it’s doubtful that a large magazine like Forbes would switch it’s content to Yourmagz, but it might be a useful side application.
Yourmagz.com is similar to an existing business. Scribd had a successful year in 2008, which could mean that there is a receptive audience for content sharing services like Yourmagz. You can also get a similar magazine-like experience for free with services such as Issuu.
But there are definite challenges in forming such a widespread and open platform like Yourmagz.com. Recently, Ning found itself in a sticky situation with the creation of adult sites. With Yourmagz’s tagline “Freedom to publish,” it doesn’t sound like the platform will be restrictive. Also, users may not want pay for access to the platform when they could use free services offered by Scribd, Issue, and Ning.
You can check out Yourmagz’s example of an embedded magazine or take a look at the screen shots below:
Cool stuf, work nice.. Keep it up
Any Invites? Please.
So they won’t have a free, light usage version? The compatibility with other platforms def makes it worth a few bucks.
Hey Guys – I’m Andrew from Yourmagz.
I’ve tried to get in touch with the people at techcrunch but they’re pretty busy. The platform is “freemium” so there is a light version and you can go to the site for the invite. Also, the magazines are all real-time so new content goes across each platform instantly. Thanks!!
Hey Andrew,
I would love to test it out so I can expand my blog post about you guys, at the same time, I’m sure many other TC readers would love some beta invites as well…
I also wished you guys uploaded that video from your homepage on YouTube, then at least it could possibly become more viral as more people could embed it on their own sites.
But you should definitely do something about the beta invites…
Great idea on the video front! Regarding the invites, you can go to the site and an invite will be sent directly to you. If you have any feedback please send it over – we are keeping our ears to the ground all input is greatly valued.
Cheers!
Computers have a lot of storage these days, the screen resolution is relatively high, and we have a primitive form of hyperlinking between things with the World Wide Web.
So why are we confining and restricting ourselves to a paper-based format?? This is possibly the dumbest idea in the world.
I think the its a good start. I think it would be great for someone publishing a steady load of content on their blog. I’d like to see live links within the magazine. It would be nice to able to add content from existing sources.
I started a mag see here:
http://libertyn...t.yourmagz.com/
To see this and other quality blogs in an easy to read newspaper format check out:
http://www.Libe...tynewsprint.com
Rudolph – you make an interesting point. Except for the fact that Your Magz can be distributed via an iPhone app (and I would gather there’s more to come). The updates occur in real time so last I checked, that’s not paper based.
This thing is pretty damn cool.
This is a pretty cool idea and I have to agree with Hercules that the video on their home page should be put on youtube. I am also concerned of how they plan to monetize this site.
Alright guys, the video is up on youtube – here’s the link:
http://www.yout...re=channel_page
Also Hercules, we have a blog import feature so you can easily import your content into the magazine and have it distributed right away. It is in the box on the bottom right under the tab “blog import”.
Cheers!