Posts Tagged ‘paid-for content’
The wild digital frontier of subs marketing: pioneers required
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010In the last couple of years subscriptions have been a safe haven for publishers from the volatility of the newsstand, and the unpredictability of advertising. The world of traditional print subs hasn’t changed that much; the tried and tested principles of pricing, payment method, acquisition and renewal techniques still apply; the universal truths of DD and number of renewal efforts still hold and change comes only slowly. However there is a new digital frontier emerging which doesn’t respect the old rules. Many subs marketers are less comfortable with the more experimental, wild west of digital editions, single issue pricing, bundling with online content subs and mobile apps. Here’s some insights from the recent Wessenden report on subs marketing (sponsored by CDS Global and in partnership with InPublishing) that may guide pioneering digital subs marketers: (more…)
Tags: digital editions, mobile apps, online subs, paid-for content, subs bundling, subscriber packages, subscriptions
Posted in b2b, consumer, content, marketing
6 new specialist digital publishing tricks from K9 Media
Saturday, September 11th, 2010As Content Director for the Specialist Media Show I’m always on the look-out for innovative specialist media businesses who could be winners of the Media Pioneer Awards. Their stories are always inspiring, as they take advantage of technology and their deep understanding of their markets to uncover new ways to grow their revenues. Ryan O Meara, MD of K9 Media, who creates content for dog owners, is one such inspiring publisher. You can read the full story of his “back to front” publishing business on the Specialist Media Show site, but here are six new digital publishing tricks that (forgive the pun) even old publishing dogs can learn from: (more…)
Tags: digital editions, K9 Media, Media Pioneers, online subscriptions, paid-for content, specialist media show
Posted in consumer, content, marketing, news
How specialist media owners see their future: realistic optimism
Saturday, July 24th, 2010I’m cheered by the optimism shown by specialist media owners who responded to the survey we ran with Fusion Communications for the Specialist Media Show. They are well aware of the dramatic changes coming in their industry, but seem to be pragmatic and forward looking in their responses. 117 senior managers from b2b and consumer specialist media took part, across a range of businesses from one-title independents to mid-sized publishers with 6-10 titles. I’m referring to them as publishers, but most have print, digital and live events in their portfolio. What struck me is the gradual diversification of revenue sources: (more…)
Tags: content, digital editions, events, Fusion Communications, media brand, mobile apps, online subscriptions, paid-for content, publishers, Specialist Media Network, specialist media show
Posted in b2b, business strategy, consumer
Online subscriptions secrets of a media pioneer
Sunday, July 11th, 2010Developing a content-based online subscription business is the holy grail for many specialist publishers. The latest winner of the Media Pioneers awards, organised by the Specialist Media Show to recognise innovative and entrepreneurial media businesses, has quietly established a community of paying subscribers who visit her site at least weekly. Read on to discover her experiences and learn tips for your own subscription business… (more…)
Tags: content, databases, Jancis Robinson, Media Pioneers, online subscriptions, paid-for content, specialist media show
Posted in business strategy, consumer, content
What makes a compelling consumer online membership package?
Sunday, July 4th, 2010Many media businesses who publish content online for free are investigating subscription or membership packages as a way to drive revenue from their online content. It’s a bit easier for b2b publishers who can build research reports or databases or workflow tools, and are also dealing with businesses with a defined budget for information, research or lead generation. So is anyone succeeding in consumer markets? I’ve found a few examples, and identified five key elements that appear to be adding value to membership packages. What unites them is that online content alone is not enough. And discounts on products and services are expected to be offered as part of the deal. So here’s some ideas for how to add real value to the package: (more…)
Tags: archive, consumers, content, customised content, databases, members forums, mobile alerts, online subscriptions, paid-for content
Posted in business strategy, consumer, content, marketing
Bright future for specialist media: build audiences; develop many revenue streams
Sunday, June 20th, 2010What is it that unites specialist media businesses, whether they serve consumer or professional audiences, in print, events or digital or some combination of the three? Listening to the speakers in the “future of specialist media” session at the Specialist Media Show conference, I’d say the common thread is building a specialist audience, with particular interests and information needs, then finding many ways to create revenue streams around that audience, from supplying content, facilitating connections online or at events, and creating opportunities for advertisers to reach that audience. Here are the highlights of the presentations from Phil Redwood of Fusion Communciations, Miles Galliford of Subhub and Riva Elliott of PMA media training: (more…)
Tags: content, digital editions, editorial team, Fusion Communications, Miles Galliford, paid-for content, Phil Redwood, PMA Media training, revenue sources, Riva Elliott, specialist media show, Subhub
Posted in b2b, business strategy, consumer, content, events
How publishers can profit from digital media
Monday, May 3rd, 2010Digital editions, e-readers, ipads, mobile, video…for print-based publishers are they all a way to get sucked into creating expensive content for a small audience that is reluctant to pay? Or have some pioneering publishers found a clever route through the hype to drive real value? I chaired a meeting earlier this week with a cross-section of specialist media owners and digital media gurus that made me think there were some potentially profitable options available. I was planning the “profiting from digital media” session at the Specialist Media Show conference. Our host was Ben Greenish, MD of the Spectator, and we were joined by Graeme Gourlay, MD of Circle Publishing, Peter Houston of Advanstar, Mark Stubbs of Pixel Mags, Graham Duffill of the Digital Publishing Company, and Fiona Ryder of Stream Exchange. You can hear them all speak at greater length at the Specialist Media Show on 25 May 2010, and even question them youself, but here’s a taste of how they feel small specialist media owners can use digital media to advantage: (more…)
Tags: content, digital editions, ipad magazines, online subscriptions, online video, paid-for content, publishers, specialist media show
Posted in b2b, business strategy, consumer, content, marketing
Growing an online content business through building trust
Sunday, March 21st, 2010Traditional and digital publishers alike are grappling with how to build a profitable business around online content. But the old model of ad-funding isn’t enough anymore. I believe that specialist publishers can learn from the experience of small niche digital publishing entreprenueurs who have built businesses around online content. Miles Galliford, one of the founders of SubHub, an online platform for niche publishers, is currently writing a book on this subject called the Funnel of Trust. It details a step by step approach to building multiple online revenue streams that seems to work for a wide range of content entrepreneurs. I have read a pre-publication draft, as Miles is speaking at the Specialist Media Show on 25 May 2010, which I am organising, and he has kindly given permission for me to summarise his first chapter here. You can get a free PDF of the first chapter if you register to attend the Specialist Media Show. If you book a ticket to the conference you will get a copy of the final book on the day, hot off the press! Here are the key steps to profitable online content publishing: (more…)
Tags: content, e-commerce, events, marketing, Miles Galliford, online subscriptions, paid-for content, Penmaen Media, Subhub
Posted in b2b, business strategy, consumer, content, events, news
What online content will people pay for?
Thursday, February 4th, 2010All online publishers, whether they have a traditional print business or not, are busy searching for the perfect online business model. The consensus appears to be that they need a mix of free content to attract users/readers/customers, and some premium paid-for content. But how can they categorise their content to work out what can be charged for? I’ve assembled five categories, based on a range of examples from traditional and online-only publishers. I’m indebted to Miles Galliford of subhub, whose post on this topic is worth reading, and also to Iain Nicol and Mark Bishop who contributed to the discussion on the Specialist Media Network. So what content will people pay for? (more…)
Tags: content, databases, magazine iphone apps, online subscriptions, paid-for content, Penmaen Media, Publishing Expo, specialist media show, Subhub
Posted in b2b, consumer, content, marketing