The 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…)