What could be next for digital publishing?

Just like the global digital landscape, the world of digital publishing is in constant flux. Newer trends present authors with a mix of challenges and opportunities. 

In fact, the latest projections show that the global market for digital publishing will reach a whopping $69.81 billion by 2028. One key factor leading to such numbers is the rise in self-publishing, which has democratized the industry, allowing authors to bypass traditional gatekeepers. 

However, while the rise of self-publishing is just one among several trends, we take a close look at the future of digital publishing in this article. Through a deep dive into the latest trends, we paint a picture of what the industry offers and the opportunities in store for publishers worldwide. 

Table of Contents:

I. The Biggest Trends in Digital Publishing for 2024 and Beyond

• The Use of Artificial Intelligence 
• Greater Quality of Content 
• The Rise of Immersive Digital Content via AR/VR
• The Diversification of Revenue Streams
• An Increased Demand for eBooks

II. In Conclusion

Some of the notable advancements in digital publishing include the introduction of ePapers (digital versions of newspapers in 2003), Google Books, where PDFs were used to convert books, Sony Libre, and the Amazon Kindle, among several others.

The mobile era, which started in 2010, revolutionized the way content was published and accessed. Today, publishers can choose from various publishing suites, native app development, and cross-platform mobile solutions to publish content digitally.

With this dynamic background in mind, we take a close look at some of the biggest trends that the digital publishing industry is set to witness in 2024 and the years to follow. 

The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution has impacted industries across the spectrum, and digital publishing is no less with tools like Gemini. ChatGPT and Claude, among others, authors can now use AI to generate content ideas, edit, and personalize their content. 

One key benefit of these tools is that they democratize the digital publication process rather than limiting it to authors with strong existing writing skills. 

While AI has opened the world of digital publishing and eBooks to those who wouldn’t otherwise have ventured into it, it also presents its fair share of challenges. With AI tools giving novice writers access to a bulk of the material required to publish eBooks, it also increases the burden on others to improve the quality of their offerings continually. 

This is because the more books that readers have to choose from, the pickier they become, and those that stand the best chance of consumption offer a unique sense of perspective and depth that AI-derived content cannot offer.

Technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are no longer just buzzwords but are quickly becoming integral to creating an immersive approach to consuming digital content. 

Further, as these technologies become more affordable, publishers and digital publishing platforms like KITABOO are increasingly offering users the power of AR and VR to create digital content. They offer endless possibilities and give users access to content that’s far more engaging than ever before. 

Sustainability is key in an increasingly unstable digital economy, and one of the biggest trends the digital publishing industry is witnessing is diversification in revenue streams. Authors today no longer rely solely on their eBooks, for example, to earn them revenue.

Brand building is taking center stage, and an increasing number of creators are leveraging their brands to generate sponsored content, host events, launch online courses, and create subscriber-only platforms.

While print content continues to remain popular, the past few years have seen an immense demand for eBooks, particularly with a surge in the use of mobile devices. Research suggests that the global number of eBook users is forecast to witness a continuous increase between 2024 to 2027 by a total of 92.9 million users. 

The increased availability of digital publishing platforms like KITABOO, for instance, is one of the key driving forces of this rise in demand for eBooks, making it among the most profitable segments in the digital publishing industry. 

One key marker of this rise is increased investment in the eBook sector. ByteDance, an internet tech company and TikTok owner, recently invested $170 million in Zhangyue, a Chinese ebook publishing company, due to its potential in this segment. 

The trends and projections mentioned in this guide are just some of the many the digital publishing industry is set to witness in the years to come. With rapid improvements in technologies like AI, AR, and VR, along with the increasing opportunities they present, digital content is set to witness an increase in both demand and supply. 

These changes result from the industry rapidly adapting to technological developments and users’ preferences.

If you’re an author looking to enter the digital publishing industry or an educational institution looking to diversify its teaching methods, you must explore KITABOO. 

From digital publishing solutions for K12 to higher education institutions, along with associations and nonprofits, the company leverages the latest and best technologies to allow users to create engaging and cohesive digital content. Connect with us for more information on our solutions.