hankscott

A Note to Rupert Murdoch and the Newspaper Barons on Pricing

Interesting idea. But unfortunately the analogy to Macy's isn't apt. Newspapers have to get someone to try the product before committing to it. Macy's isn't likely to let you wear that shirt for a couple of weeks to decide if you like it. That's why there's an initial low price for a newspaper or magazine subscription. Decades of research has validated this approach.

What newspapers have done is offer various bonuses to subscribers who pay in full for the year or remain subscribers for a lengthy time. Some, for example, have plans that offer discounts at local restaurants and other establishments. Some offer invitations to newspaper events.

Jarvis vs. Mutter: What Newspapers Are Worth

It's what used to be called a newspaper or magazine. They had editors who picked and chose among the various issues and events of the day to select those most important and worthy of coverage. That way you didn't have to wade through all of the blather and noise that one is assaulted by from various interest groups, corner preachers, and PR firms.

I need the same product you describe. I'm tired of reading opinions about the media from kids who don't know anything about the business (see the blog post elsewhere on Seeking Alpha that analyzes the New York Times' annual cost in comparison to the median income of New Yorkers -- an irrelevant concern to The Times.)


On Mar 24 10:23 AM hankscott wrote:

> What I would pay for, in print or online (preferably delivered to
> my Kindle), is a daily briefing from an authoritative source of what's
> going on in the world of digital media. I find I'm too busy to read
> Seeking Alpha, Tech Crunch, Silicon Alley Reporter, the musings of
> Newsosaur, etc., etc., etc.
>
> Any ideas?
>

Jarvis vs. Mutter: What Newspapers Are Worth

What I would pay for, in print or online (preferably delivered to my Kindle), is a daily briefing from an authoritative source of what's going on in the world of digital media. I find I'm too busy to read Seeking Alpha, Tech Crunch, Silicon Alley Reporter, the musings of Newsosaur, etc., etc., etc.

Any ideas?

Why Does WSJ.com Charge For Content?

Why does Dow Jones charge for access to WSJ.com? Because it can! Who wouldn't?

If you can offer distinctive content that people want / need (and by distinctive, I mean content that isn't readily available elsewhere) why not charge for it? The alternative is to spend lots of time and energy chasing fickle advertisers, or to give the content away and reduce its quality because you can't afford to generate it.