Free Or Paid Content: The Best 2009 Articles And Reports From MasterNewMedia

Whether online content should be free or paid has been one of the biggest debates in this 2009 that is coming to an end. Should publishers and marketers embrace the freemium business model and let content go out for free or should they charge their audience to access their content?

Photo credit: Konstantinos Kokkinis

It all really started when major international newspapers reported of Rupert Murdoch public statements about the days of the free internet business model being over. The 78-year-old media mogul described the present online news commercial approach a ­"malfunctioning" business model.

While speaking on a conference call in which his own News Corporation reported a 47 percent slide in quarterly profits, Murdoch specifically said that "the current free access business model favored by most content providers was flawed." (Source: CNN)

Is Murdoch right? Some influential thinkers like Tim O'Reilly believe that no, he is not.

And if you consider $15.000.000 a year out of free content a good deal, then Tim O'Reilly definitely has a point to make here. That revenue has been created initially by building upon the interest generated by his Web 2.0 free paper (downloaded a million times or more to this day) and then by organizing and hosting prestigious events, for which people had to pay to listen what O'Reilly had to say.

What should you do then? If you want to make up your mind on the free / paid content issue, here is a special collection of MasterNewMedia best 2009 articles and reports covering the following key topics:

• Chris Anderson (video) on why the freemium model is the future of business,
• Tim O'Reilly and his argument for open publishing,
• Alan Murray from the WSJ on the best content publishing strategy for newspapers,
• John Blossom on the case of the Kindle eBook market,
• Robin Good on marketing a DVD online.

 

 

 

Free Or Paid Content: The Best 2009 Articles And Reports From MasterNewMedia

Why Giving For Free Is The Future of Business - Chris Anderson

Duration: 3' 19''

Chris Anderson, chief editor of Wired USA, shares in this inspirational video why "free" is the optimal price to sell your products. No matter what industry you belong to or the products you sell, giving for free is the best way to create anticipation and engaging customers about your stuff. Then you can market whatever you want to by selling improved quality or a better package to earn revenues.

by Chris Anderson - February 26th, 2008

 

How Do You Monetize Free: Tim O'Reilly And The Argument For Open Publishing

How do you monetize free? Can you make money by giving away your very best ideas and content? In this video, publisher Tim O'Reilly makes an argument for open publishing, and explains how can you earn money from giving away your stuff without selling it.

by OPL - March 18th, 2009

 

Online Newspapers Best Content Publishing Strategy: Free Or Paid?

What is best online publishing strategy for a struggling newspaper? Is it better to let online news content go out for free or to charge people to access it? The eternal Internet question is back and with a powerful sponsor behind it: Rupert Murdoch.

by Alan Murray - June 3rd, 2009

 

Kindle DX - Is Charging Premium Access For Content The Best Strategy?

The Kindle DX allows publishers to charge premium access for content. But is distributing locked-down, must-pay-for content through a proprietary platform a good strategy for content publishers?

by John Blossom - June 19th, 2009

 

How To Market A Film DVD Online: Free Or Paid Release?

How do you market an independent film / DVD online? Fascinated by a direct email invitation to watch the full version of a new independent full-length self-help movie entitled "The Wheel of Life" (remember "The Secret"? The typology of movie is the same) I have promptly emailed the producer Robert Anthony, to ask for his availability to be interviewed.

by Robin Good - January 23rd, 2009

Originally prepared by Robin Good for MasterNewMedia, and first published on December 29th, 2009 as "Free Or Paid Content: The Best 2009 Articles And Reports From MasterNewMedia".

Photo credits:
How Do You Monetize Free: Tim O'Reilly And The Argument For Open Publishing - Opl
Online Newspapers Best Content Publishing Strategy: Free Or Paid? - ktsdesign
Kindle DX - Is Charging Premium Access For Content The Best Strategy? - iTech News Net
How To Market A Film DVD Online: Free Or Paid Release? - norebbo