Best of TOC 2012

Metadata Isn’t a Chore, It’s a Necessity

By Jenn Webb

Employing metadata as part of a publishing process feels like a completely different world from traditional print publishing. On first glance, categories and descriptors have little connection to flowing prose.

However, that’s an ill-advised perspective. As digital publishing grows exponentially — and discovery gets harder — metadata’s role becomes even more important.

In the following interview, Laura Dawson (@ljndawson), content chief at Firebrand Technologies, explains how a focus on metadata will help publishers stay viable both now and down the road.

How can metadata help publishers future-proof their content?

Laura Dawson: With the Internet, nothing really dies anymore. By creating good metadata and describing your books thoroughly and accurately, you can make sure consumers can always find your books.

It pays to go back and revisit old metadata as well. Search engines are always updating their algorithms, and consumers are constantly finding new ways to search. If you can update an older title with newer keywords, that will ensure continued relevance.

How does metadata fit into digital workflows?

Laura Dawson: Pretty much the same way it does for print workflow — you’re describing a book. You initially describe the title one way at acquisition, and you continue updating that description as you move through the publishing process. ...