Digital Magazine Subscriptions with Zinio

As I’ve said in the past, I’m a magazine junkie. And, an online junkie. So getting my magazines online? perfect.

Since then, it’s pretty much a completely different site (we’re sure that had nothing to do with copyright issues…not), but I did become a fan of reading magazines online. Not only is it environmentally friendly (less paper), its housekeeping friendly (less cleaning and storing), husband friendly (can’t see how many magazines I’ve bought) and it’s also pocket friendly (no paying international shipping fees). Well, we’ve found a new solution with digital magazines subscriptions

For the past year I’ve been getting my international magazines via Hearst Magazines, but with the dropping AU dollar and the above reasons, I’ve been tossing up about subscribing again.

Zinio has pretty much made up my mind to make the switch to digital – you pay for your subscription (you can even buy individual issues if that suits you), and it becomes instantly available to read on your PC – no more waiting for the latest issue to arrive three months into the month! No international shipping fees! And, if you’ve jumped on the iPhone bandwagon (guilty) you can even read the magazines on your iPhone!

So how does it work out cheaper? Marie Claire US is one of my current subscriptions, and probably the one I read the most. And because most of the content is syndicated into the Australian MC, I don’t have to bother buying that anymore.

To subscribe via iSubscribe Australia is $176AUD for a 12 month subscription
To subscribe via Hearst Magazines and pay for the international shipping its $US28 (roughly $42AUD at the moment)
To subscribe to the digital version from Zinio is $US7.99 (roughly $12AUD at the moment)

Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?

But on the downside….The Fashion & Style section does not include every magazine you can think of – the two that I was really hoping for were Lucky and Vogue US. However if you’re a Harpers, Elle or Cosmo reader you are in luck. It’s not surprising that every magazine is not currently represented, but it’s nice to see those magazines that are interested in embracing new technology, and hopefully we’ll start to see the range increase over time. Already, there are over 800 magazines to choose from, and they are from all over the world – UK, US and Europe.

Personally, I’m sold – what about you?

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