CRMs for the Newspaper and Publishing Industry.
How an Industry Specifice CRM can be of use to those in the Newspaper/Publishing Industry Many of the media driven software companies have dedicated years to developing and creating industry specific CRM platforms. Systems designed for the media industry aim to empower teams with real time information and data.The feature rich systems available put the power of information into the users’ hands allowing them to clearly see what is happening where in real time.
BELOW IS A LIST OF RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS FOR THIS INDUSTRY.
Capsule CRM
Capsule CRM offers a smart, straightforward solution for publishers and media companies seeking to improve client relationships,
Capsule CRM for Publishers & Media: Streamline, Connect, and Grow
Capsule CRM offers a smart, straightforward solution for publishers and media companies seeking to improve client relationships, streamline internal workflows, and gain better insights from their data. With a focus on simplicity and functionality, Capsule is particularly well-suited to small and mid-sized teams that want powerful features without overwhelming complexity.
Why Capsule CRM Works for Media and Publishing Professionals
1. Efficient Contact Management
Capsule CRM allows publishers to centralize contact details for clients, contributors, advertisers, and leads. With an organized view of interactions and history, media teams can maintain stronger relationships and follow up with precision.
2. Communication and Collaboration Made Easy
Built-in task management and email integration allow for smooth communication between team members and external stakeholders. Whether coordinating with writers or responding to advertisers, Capsule keeps everything on track and transparent.
3. Insightful, Customizable Reporting
Capsule’s reporting tools help publishers make data-driven decisions. From monitoring subscription growth to analyzing advertising revenue, teams can visualize key metrics and spot performance trends that guide strategic planning.
4. Powerful Integration Capabilities
Capsule connects with tools already used by many publishers, including Google Workspace, Mailchimp, Xero, and QuickBooks. These integrations reduce friction, enabling seamless workflows across departments—from editorial to finance to marketing.
5. Visual Sales Pipeline
For advertising sales or partnership deals, Capsule’s visual pipeline helps teams track prospects, manage proposals, and follow up at the right time. It’s ideal for media companies monetizing through subscriptions, sponsorships, or ad campaigns.
6. Mobile Access for On-the-Go Productivity
With Capsule’s mobile app, users can view contacts, update records, or follow up on tasks while attending events or meetings—keeping productivity high, even outside the office.
7. Simple, User-Friendly Interface
Capsule is designed for ease of use, making it quick for new users to learn and adopt. This ease reduces training time and ensures smooth team onboarding.
8. Scalable for Growth
As a publishing company grows, Capsule scales alongside it. Its flexible pricing plans and modular approach make it an excellent long-term CRM partner for evolving media teams.
How Publishers and Media Companies Can Leverage Capsule CRM
Manage Advertising Sales:
Track advertising leads, manage sales proposals, and automate reminders to follow up with potential clients—all within a clear sales pipeline view.
Streamline Editorial Workflows:
Keep contributor records organized, assign tasks for article deadlines, and monitor communication with freelancers and columnists.
Enhance Client Relationships:
Store detailed client information, document interaction history, and personalize follow-ups to build long-term advertiser and subscriber relationships.
Evaluate Business Performance:
Generate reports on campaign performance, ad revenue, subscription metrics, and engagement to inform strategy and optimize ROI.
Align with Marketing Campaigns:
By integrating Capsule with email platforms like Mailchimp, publishers can segment their audience and launch targeted email campaigns while tracking results within the CRM.
Real-World Example
A boutique digital magazine uses Capsule CRM to manage relationships with advertisers, tracking every lead and proposal in a custom sales pipeline. They also store contributor details, assign content tasks, and coordinate editorial schedules using Capsule’s task management features. Marketing campaigns are launched through Mailchimp, with Capsule capturing campaign results and providing reports on open rates and ad revenue generated—allowing the team to refine their strategy with confidence.
Capsule CRM is more than just a contact manager—it’s a strategic tool for media professionals who want clarity, control, and connection in every aspect of their operations.
Keap
Keap offers a powerful all-in-one platform that combines CRM, sales, and marketing automation—making it an attractive choice for SMBs
Keap for Publishers & Media: A Smart Fit for Small to Mid-Sized Teams
Keap offers a powerful all-in-one platform that combines CRM, sales, and marketing automation—making it an attractive choice for small to medium-sized publishers and media businesses. Its intuitive tools help streamline workflows, enhance client relationships, and drive revenue growth. However, for larger, more complex media organizations, Keap may not offer the depth or scalability required.
Why Keap Works Well for Publishers and Media Companies
1. Robust Sales and Marketing Automation
Keap shines in automating repetitive tasks such as email follow-ups, lead nurturing, and appointment scheduling. These features are especially valuable for media teams managing subscriptions, promoting content, onboarding new advertisers, or coordinating campaign rollouts.
2. Centralized Contact Management
Efficient audience segmentation and contact tracking make Keap ideal for organizing key stakeholders—readers, advertisers, subscribers, and leads. Publishers can easily view interaction histories and tailor communications for better engagement.
3. Insightful Reporting and Analytics
Keap provides easy-to-use reports that track essential metrics like campaign performance, open rates, and sales activity. This helps publishers evaluate their marketing impact and optimize content strategies accordingly.
4. E-Commerce Integration for Digital Sales
Media companies selling subscriptions, eBooks, or digital content can benefit from Keap’s built-in e-commerce capabilities. Manage payments, fulfill digital orders, and monitor revenue streams—all within a single platform.
5. Streamlined Client Relationship Management
From advertisers to long-term partners, Keap helps media companies stay on top of every interaction. With features for logging communications and automating follow-ups, it supports strong, long-lasting business relationships.
Considerations Before Choosing Keap
Not Scalable for Larger Organizations
While Keap is a strong performer for smaller teams, larger media companies with intricate operations and multiple departments may find it lacking in advanced customization and scalability.
User Onboarding Can Be Challenging
New users, particularly those unfamiliar with CRM platforms, may face a learning curve. While Keap does offer support resources, the interface can initially feel complex.
Limited Advanced Reporting Features
For organizations requiring highly customized or in-depth analytics, Keap’s reporting capabilities may not meet expectations when compared to enterprise-level CRMs.
Cost May Be a Factor
Keap’s pricing could be a barrier for small publishers or startups operating on tight budgets. Although its features offer value, more affordable options may be more suitable for businesses in early growth stages.
Gemstone Sales
A supplier of publishing systems to the newspaper, magazine, book and directory industries. Gemstone Sales is a software solution developed and designed to optimize salesforce and customer management activities of newspapers and publishing companies. With help of this application, publishers can achieve closer alignment across the entire business, increase revenue from digital ads, improve sales forecasting and reporting. Gemstone is an “app-enabled” infrastructure that can install multiple applications to suit your needs, bringing many features together in one integrated suite. Gemstone can help you address your sales requirements.
MultiPub
Multipub is a subscription and audience management platform that automates accounting, fulfillment and marketing operations. Available on-premise or the Cloud, their platform helps businesses grow their audience, know their customers and do more with less. Whether you’re deferring revenue or tracking multiple products at the customer level, Multipub will help you streamline your accounting, customer service, fulfillment and marketing efforts.
AdPlugg
Based in San Diego, California, AdPlugg offers a simple but sophisticated plugin and service that allows web based publishers and advertisers to build their businesses. The AdPlugg advertising plugin installs instantly into any web site opening up a myriad of controls, options and analytics available through adplugg.com. AdPlugg benefits advertisers by giving them an exciting and affordable way to get in front of their target market and grow their business. A free version is available and the details for the priced Pro Plan is given in detail on the website.
DigiFabster
DigiFabster, a cloub-based management software for 3D printing forms allows customers to automate orders flow, increase revenue and build conversion rates using a widget. The solution includes order processing and payment and a CRM and exchange market for 3D printing bureaus, prototyping services and Fab Labs. DigiFabster’s service is a solution for setting up 3D printing business for companies of any size who operate home and professional grade printers using any technology and materials. DigiFabster can automatically repair common problems with meshes, topology and geometry, and the system also also checks and corrects 3D model wall thicknesses. DigiFabster’s CRM solution stores client information and tracks production from start to finish with updates at every stage.
Joomag
Joomag is an all-in-one platform offering a suite of integrated solutions for every content marketing, digital publishing, corporate communications, and sales engagement need. Joomag can be connected to other apps used like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Shopify to automate the tedious tasks in your workflow. The software empowers businesses, both big and small, to create inspired online content. This feature rich system provides the tools and resources necessary for success. The platform is holistic and caters to every stage of the digital publishing lifecycle, redefining how people create, deliver, and connect to content. Pricing starts at $39 with a 14 day free trial.
The Newspaper/Magazine Manager
The Newspaper/Magazine Manager is a newspaper management software platform which brings CRM, ad entry, billing, and reporting tools all into one database. Already a cloud solution, The Newspaper/Magaine Manager gives sales teams the ability to access their inbox, meetings, calendar, callbacks, contacts, contracts, and more,whether using an Android, iPhone, Blackberry, or iPad. 24/7 support allows users to get the answers needed to do the job. Access to create tickets and training videos are also available.
SmartPublisher - Pre1
Integrating and automating publishing workflow has been the core mission of Pre1 Software since 1999. Pre1’s flagship technology is SmartPublisher, a suite of newspaper software, magazine software and classifieds software. SmartPublisher brings together ad sales, scheduling, production and billing for print and digital publishing in one easy-to-use system. Smartpublisher has a mobile interface and browser access puts mission critical information at your fingertips in the office or on the go. SmartPublisher is compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems, iOS and Android platforms for smartphones and tablets, and popular browsers for online access.
QuickFill – CWC Systems
QuickFill was created by publishing and computing experts in 1989. A publisher, a circulation systems guru, a publishing accounting expert, and a computer systems analyst brought together the best practices of circulation management in QuickFill. QuickFill subscription fulfillment software handles aspects of traditional and online magazine and newsletter marketing and circulation. With QuickFill you can grow your circulation, improve the quality of your customer service, cut your fulfillment costs, make your marketing more cost-effective, turn online content into revenue, improve payment and renewal rates and exercise more control over finances.