Hubris Versus the Nature of Change
Captains of newspapers, magazines, television, and radio have struck an iceberg. Will they sink with their ships? Dec 12, 2008
Dinosaurs to Superhumans
Thirteen years ago, newspapers squandered an opportunity to collaborate and innovate on the Web. Has anyone learned from that failure? Oct 3, 2008
Mass Media Becomes a New Niche
Call it the new medium or the new media. Either way, general-interest mass media becomes a new niche. Sep 5, 2008
Who Gets the Online Revenue?
The biggest problem facing online publishing/broadcasting is who gets paid the bulk of the money that consumers pay for online content. Aug 22, 2008
Print Editions as a Vital Niche
Newspaper and book publishers are adapting to online technologies. It's long overdue. Jul 25, 2008
Digital Media Comes of Age
It's time for media companies to stop treating digital media like a child. Jul 11, 2008
All Hail Individuated Media
How would you describe a medium in which each individual receives content that differs from other individuals -- and each person has control of selecting the content? Jun 27, 2008
Good Enough Triumphs Over Perfection
If your content isn't immediately online because you're waiting for perfection, get over yourself. Jun 13, 2008
Degrees in the Past
Ultimately, to change the media industries, we've got to change our universities. May 2, 2008
I Never Metadata I Didn't Like
Online retailers long ago discovered that including specific metadata greatly increases reach, traffic, and results. It's time online information companies discovered that, too. Apr 18, 2008
Challenging the News Establishment
Traditional publishers and broadcasters still believe entry barriers prevent new competition. Four DIYers prove them wrong. May 12, 2004
Paid Subscription Blogging, Part 2
Will readers pay to read blogs? Can bloggers successfully charge subscription fees? Professional bloggers weigh in. Part two of a two-part series. Nov 12, 2003
Paid Subscription Blogging, Part 1
Will readers pay to read blogs? Can bloggers successfully charge subscription fees? Professional bloggers weigh in. Part one of a two-part series. Oct 8, 2003
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Until the proprietary information of both consumers and publishers is protected, interactive marketing will be more promise than reality. Sep 10, 2003
Peak or Valley?
Despite spectacular failures, undaunted entrepreneurs persevere. Can Louis Borders' KeepMedia succeed where others have failed? Aug 13, 2003
Monetize the Archive?
To charge for archives, or not to charge? That is the question. Four steps toward calculating a model for your archives. Jun 11, 2003
An All-or-Nothing Game?
Charging for content doesn't mean charging ahead with an all-or-nothing fee structure. May 14, 2003
Paid Content: Three New Studies
Three interesting reports involving questions about publishing paid content landed on Vin's desk this month. Mar 11, 2003
Conspiracy Theories
No spooky, secret cabal prevents you from charging for your content. It's much more complicated than that. Feb 25, 2003
When Free Begets Fee
Why (and how) online companies give away their most popular services to profit from their most valuable ones. Feb 11, 2003
What Price Content?
What you want isn't necessarily what you'll get. Publishers, are you listening? Jan 28, 2003
Why Music Stays Free
Don't ignore economic fundamentals when pricing online content. Jan 14, 2003
Never Too Cheap to Meter
Will there ever be a viable micropayment system enabling publishers to monetize content? Existing infrastructure is better than you may think. Nov 19, 2002
Je Suis Content
'Content' has two distinct definitions. Publishers would do well to incorporate both if they want to attract paying customers. Oct 22, 2002
The 1 Percent Solution?
A quick fix of subscription revenue -- and publishers are addicts. It's a dangerous, defeating habit. Oct 8, 2002
The One Thing You Should Know About 'New Media'
Why pay for mass-medium content via an informational-medium vehicle? Like paying to receive coal by airplane, it's a misuse of a medium's vehicle. Sep 24, 2002
One Metric Can Tell the Tale
One particular site measurement speaks volumes about the potential success of charging for access. Sep 10, 2002
Shipping News
At sea about monetizing content? Become a sailor: Learn navigation, use your compass, and know the waters your sailing in. Aug 27, 2002
Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics
The Online Publishers Association says consumers spent $675 million for online content last year. What's content? According to OPA, it includes gift certificates, pinups, personal ads, and diet advice. Aug 13, 2002
Who Owns Your Hyperlinks?
A European court says deep linking means deep trouble for a news search engine. Jul 16, 2002
Information Wants to Be Free (or Does It?)
Educate consumers and they'll pay for content? Wrong. The problem is the technology isn't keeping up with... the technology. Jul 2, 2002
Charge for Your Content? The Three Criteria
Our new resident free-to-fee expert, Vin Crosbie, poses three questions. If you answer 'yes' to one of them, chances are your site can charge for access. Jun 18, 2002