Websites using Shorthand

Okay, let s break down Shorthand with a focus on those key areas: revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

What is Shorthand?

Shorthand is a SaaS platform that enables brands and organizations to create visually engaging, immersive digital stories and experiences. It s primarily aimed at publishers, brands, and educational institutions.

1. Revenue (Understanding their business model):

• Subscription-Based Revenue: Shorthand operates on a subscription model. Customers pay a recurring fee (monthly or annually) to access the platform and its features. The pricing tiers usually vary based on the number of stories published, storage limits, user accounts, and access to advanced features.
• Potential for Upselling/Add-ons: They might offer additional services or add-ons for a higher fee, such as:
  • Dedicated support or training packages
  • Custom branding options
  • Advanced analytics
  • Integration with specific CMS or marketing platforms.

2. Alternatives:

The market for immersive storytelling platforms is competitive. Here are some alternatives to Shorthand, categorized by their primary focus or strengths:

• General-Purpose Storytelling Platforms:

  • Readymag: A versatile design tool that allows for the creation of websites, presentations, and digital publications with a focus on free-form design.
  • Canva: While not specifically for immersive storytelling, Canva offers templates and tools for creating visually appealing presentations, social media graphics, and other content that can be used to tell stories.
  • Adobe Spark: A simpler alternative from Adobe, suitable for creating basic visual stories, social media content, and web pages.
  • Strikingly: A website builder that can create single page websites to create interactive narratives.
  • WordPress with page builder plugins: With plugins like Elementor or Divi, WordPress sites can create dynamic narratives with more flexibility on integrations and customizations.

• Platforms with Strong Visual Focus:

  • Ceros: Focuses on interactive content marketing experiences with advanced customization.
  • Visme: All-in-one design and content creation tool with interactive features and data visualization options.
  • Genially: Offers interactive presentations, infographics, and other engaging content formats.

• Platforms with Focus on Data:

  • Flourish: Specializes in data visualization and interactive charts/maps for storytelling with data.
  • Datawrapper: Another data visualization tool focused on creating embeddable charts and maps for news and publications.

When evaluating alternatives, consider these factors:

• Ease of Use: How quickly can you learn the platform and create compelling stories?
• Customization: How much control do you have over the design and branding?
• Features: Does it offer the specific features you need (e.g., interactive elements, data visualization, analytics)?
• Pricing: Does it fit your budget?
• Integrations: Does it integrate with your existing tools and systems?

3. Pricing:

• Tiered Pricing: Shorthand likely has multiple pricing tiers based on features, usage, and the size of the organization.
• Factors Influencing Price:
  • Number of Stories Published per Month/Year: This is a primary driver of cost.
  • Number of Users: More user accounts will increase the price.
  • Storage: The amount of storage for images, videos, and other assets can affect pricing.
  • Features: Access to premium features (e.g., advanced analytics, custom branding) will typically cost more.
  • Support Level: Higher support levels (e.g., dedicated account manager) may come at a premium.
• Free Trial/Demo: They likely offer a free trial or demo so potential customers can test the platform.
• Custom Enterprise Pricing: Larger organizations with specific needs may negotiate custom pricing.

4. Customer Care/Support:

• Documentation/Knowledge Base: A comprehensive online knowledge base with articles, tutorials, and FAQs is essential.
• Email Support: A standard channel for support inquiries.
• Live Chat: Offering real-time support through live chat can improve customer satisfaction.
• Phone Support: May be available for higher-tier plans or enterprise customers.
• Onboarding/Training: They may provide onboarding sessions or training materials to help new users get started.
• Community Forum: A forum where users can connect with each other, share tips, and ask questions.
• Dedicated Account Manager: For larger accounts, a dedicated account manager provides personalized support and guidance.
• Response Times: A key factor in customer satisfaction. Faster response times are generally preferred.
• Customer Satisfaction: Monitoring reviews or testimonials can help indicate the level of customer satisfaction from the service.

Where to find precise details:

To get exact pricing and customer care details, the best course of action is to:

• Visit the Shorthand website: Their pricing page should outline the different plans and features.
• Contact their sales team: Reaching out to their sales team will allow you to ask specific questions and potentially negotiate a custom solution.

I hope this comprehensive overview is helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.