Posts Tagged ‘subscriptions’
How traditional media businesses can create online subscriptions packages
Friday, June 5th, 2009The debate is still raging among traditional media businesses, particularly newspapers, over how to drive revenues from online content. Pure online news no longer will justify an entry fee, especially with the BBC providing such a comprehensive service for free. See my earlier post on reinventing online content for more thoughts on the implications for editorial teams. Meanwhile, online-only information businesses are carving out profitable niches serving very targeted groups, eg econsultancy. Publishers will need to think hard about how to use their editorial expertise to create specific packages that niche audiences will consider worth paying for. Rather than trying to charge multiple micro-payments for piecemeal chunks of editorial, I believe there is mileage in creating online subscription packages that combine a number of useful content-based elements for a carefully defined audience. Here are some suggested steps for media businesses who want to create an online subscriptions package: (more…)
Tags: digests, membership, networking, niche audience, paid-for content, Penmaen Media, privileged access, reports, subscriptions, tools, webinars
Posted in b2b, business strategy, consumer, content
Five warning signs for magazine publishers
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009Yesterday two more established print titles closed; Dennis’ Maxim is now online-only (see Brand Republic)and the ex-journalist’s bible UK Press Gazette has closed completely, as its publisher can’t find a way to make money on the web (see Paid content). Meanwhile newspapers over in the US are closing and one blogger is mapping their decline. This sort of news no doubt puts a shiver down the spine of many traditional publishers. Here I list five warning signs that your publication could be on the danger list, and suggest what you could do now to avert disaster. (more…)
Tags: advertising, archive, Arena, content, magazine closures, market position, Maxim, media brand, online strategy, paid-for content, Press Gazette, proposition, subscriptions, US newspaper closures
Posted in advertising, b2b, business strategy, consumer, content
How to drive value from a digital archive
Thursday, March 19th, 2009Print publishers are often sitting on an unexploited asset - their archive. If they have been the authority in a particular field for decades, they will have built up a fabulous collection of images, reviews, comment and news that is of interest to enthusiasts and researchers. But it’s often languishing in boxes due to the imagined high cost of digitising it. There are now an increasing number of services for putting print or PDFs online in a low cost, and importantly searchable format. Here are five ideas for how you can monetise your archive to help you justify the investment. (more…)
Tags: archive, content, data, digital editions, paid-for content, publishing, subscriptions, top tips
Posted in business strategy, consumer, content
Can subscriptions save newspapers?
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009Everywhere you look, newspaper business models are in free-fall. The rapid decline in classified ads - especially recruitment, motors and property - has unhinged the old order where readers got reams of quality journalism at a low price, and organisations had a ready outlet for news releases and relevant advertising. (more…)
Tags: content, newspapers, paid-for content, subscriptions
Posted in business strategy, content, marketing, opinions
The future for subscriptions
Sunday, February 22nd, 2009Magazine publishers have long thought of subscriptions as an easy way to get their print products delivered to their most frequent customers, and a handy source of upfront cash. My belief is that subscriptions will be key to the future growth of magazine brands - and there are plenty of lessons to be learnt by other media businesses. Here are five predictions, and ideas for how you can exploit them now: (more…)
Tags: bespoke content, databases, digital editions, expert panel, marketing, media brand, self-service, subscriptions
Posted in consumer, content, marketing
Survival tips for small publishers
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009A quote recently heard from one small publisher: “I’m in survival mode; I don’t have time to think about my website”. An understandable sentiment, but maybe their web presence will help them stay in business, without spending a fortune with a developer. Here are some ideas that won’t stretch your budget too much. (more…)
Tags: advertisers, content, email, small publishers, subscriptions, survival tips
Posted in advertising, content, marketing
Five digital resolutions for publishers
Friday, January 16th, 2009Many publishers will be looking over the precipice of 2009 with a certain amount of dread, given the dire projections for advertising - both on and offline. Here are 5 digital resolutions that should give you a softer landing: (more…)
Tags: advertising, consumers, digital, publishing, subscriptions, top tips
Posted in advertising, consumer, content, marketing