The usage of WeChat to promote academic publishing in China: A case study on Chinese Laser Press

Abstract

• WeChat is one of the most popular social media applications in China and is widely used by publishers to promote their journals and activities.

• The Chinese Laser Press (CLP) has four WeChat accounts; approximately 1 million reads were recorded in 2018.

• The most influential WeChat account of the CLP had almost 43,000 subscribers at the end of 2019.

• WeChat is a successful tool for connecting journals with readers and can increase the visibility of the journals both within China and elsewhere.

• Connecting with researchers via WeChat is helping CLP maintain relations with researchers throughout their career.