Wouldn’t it be cool if you could create your own online magazine in almost no time at all? With WordPress and the IssueM plugin, now you can. The IssueM plugin has been available as a premium WordPress plugin, but this weekend it was released as open source.
That means you can download it for free. Plus there are extensions available, including the Ultimate Magazine Theme to get you started. Many more extensions are in the works too.
How does IssueM work?
After you install the plugin you get a new ‘Articles’ custom post type in your WordPress Dashboard. From here you can create an issue (think a monthly magazine that comes in your mailbox). After creating the issue you craft individual articles (the stories) that are specific to that issue.
Once all your articles are written you can publish the issue, giving your readers access to all of your magazine’s content at once. This is a great way to syndicate your content in a controlled and organized way.
What about a blog?
The plugin was originally developed to turn a print magazine into an online magazine. The goal is not to post one article at a time, like a blog, but to give you control to publish a large block of content (like a magazine) all at once.
You still have the ability to create a blog on your site to complement the magazine issues and articles. If you have content that needs to be published separately from the magazine, like breaking news or events, you can!
How to get started
- Download the IssueM plugin and install it on your WordPress website.
- Watch this video to get you up and running.
- Download the Ultimate Magazine Theme (if you want) and check out the other available extensions.
- Have fun writing an awesome magazine!
