Tag Archives: content

The New York Times to Start Charging Online Readers

Jan 20, 2010 by Matt | Posted in Monetization No Comments

The New York Times is expected to announce that they will be charging online readers to access their content.

The newspaper is expected to announce in coming weeks that it will institute a metered pay plan in which readers would have access to a limited number of free articles before being invited to subscribe, according to a report in New York magazine that cited sources close to the newsroom.

I can tell you right now that their circulation will sink like a brick if they actually go through with a plan like that. I consider the NY Times to be one of the better newspapers, so I’m not happy to predict their downfall. Unfortunately, I believe that will be the case if they implement a pay wall.

I propose a much more consumer-friendly strategy, one built to survive the gauntlet of internet publishing.

  1. The New York Times must cease production of their print version. This move alone would save a significant annual sum by taking printing and distribution costs out of the equation.
  2. Unique content, quality unique content is the most important key to the paper’s success. This means they need to stop running syndicated stories from sources like the Associated Press, in favor of content produced in-house. They need to hire more reporters, columnists, the whole nine yards.
  3. The third and final step is to move to a model similar to the one Envato uses for their Tuts+ sites. Much of the content, such as news articles, should be freely accessible, with additional content available for a nominal fee. One idea would be to charge for some of their editorial columns. Another would be to cover more local news, and charge for the access.

Well, that’s the approach I would take in their situation. Unfortunately, traditional media companies rarely see things with the same wisdom as digital advocates. :)

“Make Money Online”: Blogging Is All About The Content

May 11, 2008 by Matt | Posted in Blogging 4 Comments

There are countless “Make Money Online” blogs. Blogs attempting to make money by blogging, blogs trying to teach how to make money blogging, and blogs trying to make money online by teaching how to make money online. Many of the latter hadn’t made a cent off blogging before starting a blog on making money online.

Enough all ready!

Blogging is all about the content. You can have the coolest design ever, and some good monetization options in place, but if your content isn’t any good, you won’t be making any money. Repeat after me: Blogging is not about making money. Blogging is, first and foremost, about the content. Yes, if you have good content, and can build up your user base, you can make money. But it should not be your prime focus.

Shift your focus to producing interesting/funny/useful content, and building a following. Yes, you should put some thought to monetization, but don’t dwell on it. The dollar signs are an optional, pleasant side effect of blogging, not the important part. The content is the important part.

When you start a blog, pick a topic that you have a lot to say about; a topic that you can see yourself writing about for a long time into the foreseeable future. And please, do not write about “making money online!” Trust me, it’s not a good niche to get into. It’s overcrowded with John Chow and John Chow wannabes, not to mention it’s kind of ludicrous anyway. Blogging is about content, not making money, therefore it’s not a great topic to blog about.

Just remember: Blogging is all about the content. Focus on the content, and the money will follow.

Photo by Tracy O