Shorthand

Easy to use: Users consistently find Shorthand very easy to use, enabling them to create engaging and visually appealing content effortlessly. They particularly appreciate the drag and drop feature, which simplifies the process of adding images and videos into the editor.

Great for high design presentations: Many reviewers consider Shorthand an excellent platform for creating high design presentation materials, especially when targeting C-Suite stakeholders. The interface is described as super intuitive, allowing users to seamlessly bring their ideas to life.

Quick creation of impactful stories: The ability to swiftly create impactful and visually engaging stories is a standout feature of Shorthand. Users value how it saves them time and effort in delivering captivating narratives that captivate audiences across various mediums.

Design limitations: Several users have mentioned that they find the design limits of the platform to be a drawback, especially when compared to other tools that offer more freedom and flexibility in design.

Embedding issues: While generally resolved quickly, some users have experienced difficulties with embedding stories on their own websites. This can cause inconvenience and delays in sharing content with their audience.

Limited customization options: Users have expressed frustration over the lack of customization options within templates. They feel restricted by the inability to make simple adjustments such as font size and column width. Additionally, the absence of built-in image editing software adds an extra layer of complexity and inconvenience for users who need to edit images within the platform.

Users have made several recommendations based on their experiences with Shorthand. The most common recommendations include:

1. Plan the story on paper before building the visual. Taking the time to carefully plan the story on paper before starting to build it in Shorthand helps ensure a well-structured and cohesive narrative.

2. Get the theme right from the start and explore examples for inspiration. Users recommend choosing the theme for your Shorthand piece early on and exploring how others have used the tool for ideas and inspiration. This can help spark creativity and guide the visual design process.

3. Have a well-laid content strategy and enough design/creative support. Users advise having a well-laid content strategy in place before creating a Shorthand piece. They also emphasize the importance of having enough design or creative support to bring the Shorthand pieces to life effectively.

In addition, users highly recommend Shorthand as a digital tool for storytelling purposes. They find it easy-to-use, appreciate the support from the team, and believe that it has breathed new life into their website stories. Users also mention that Shorthand allows them to create more immersive experiences for readers with elan and purpose.