I just opened everything up. I don't think I get any more paid subscribers, but I do get a lot more reads, and I don't have to worry about pulling things in and out of the paywall. I think it's probably been worse for my income so far, but better for reach, which is more important right now.
I just opened everything up. I don't think I get any more paid subscribers, but I do get a lot more reads, and I don't have to worry about pulling things in and out of the paywall. I think it's probably been worse for my income so far, but better for reach, which is more important right now.
Interesting! So it's possible to publish an essay with a paywall (somewhat like exclusive access) then open it up around a few weeks when it's no longer one of your latest essays?
yes. You can make an article available to paid subscribers, but schedule when it gets opened up to everyone, or you can schedule when free articles go behind a paywall
Thanks, Russell. Yes, I think at the moment I'm more interested in expanding my reach than making my fortune. I presume, though, that the corollary is that I'd have to give paid subscribers even more of an incentive to upgrade, as access to the archive would no longer be a bonus? I know you offer a lot more than that
So true! The reality is that there is no magic formula. You always need to test your thesis and adjust. Paid subs could seek high value content variance, want just to support your work so don’t care about premium content or “temp riders” paying for just one article that spiked their interest.
No. It’s like you’re offering your free subs pizza margarita and paid subs the pricier specialty pizza with 5 toppings. In short, free content vs. premium paid content you invested more time on.
Terry, I’m wrestling with a similar question, not moving a paywall but also weighing the priorities of reach vs premium benefits. I think that when people offer to pay us (or when I pay someone), they don’t mean to curtail our efforts at reaching as many people as we can. Maybe the incentives to upgrade can be modest - while reach has priority.
Thanks, Tara. I'm sure you're right. I think the people who upgraded on mine did so when there was nothing extra, they just wanted to support me. But I feel guilty if I don't offer more
I just opened everything up. I don't think I get any more paid subscribers, but I do get a lot more reads, and I don't have to worry about pulling things in and out of the paywall. I think it's probably been worse for my income so far, but better for reach, which is more important right now.
Same.
Interesting! So it's possible to publish an essay with a paywall (somewhat like exclusive access) then open it up around a few weeks when it's no longer one of your latest essays?
yes. You can make an article available to paid subscribers, but schedule when it gets opened up to everyone, or you can schedule when free articles go behind a paywall
Thanks, Russell. Yes, I think at the moment I'm more interested in expanding my reach than making my fortune. I presume, though, that the corollary is that I'd have to give paid subscribers even more of an incentive to upgrade, as access to the archive would no longer be a bonus? I know you offer a lot more than that
So true! The reality is that there is no magic formula. You always need to test your thesis and adjust. Paid subs could seek high value content variance, want just to support your work so don’t care about premium content or “temp riders” paying for just one article that spiked their interest.
Thanks Shlomi. May I ask, what do you mean by 'high value content variance'? Do you mean writing on a range of subjects?
No. It’s like you’re offering your free subs pizza margarita and paid subs the pricier specialty pizza with 5 toppings. In short, free content vs. premium paid content you invested more time on.
Thanks, Shlomi. Well yes, I can relate to that because I do, generally speaking! Love the analogy!
Terry, I’m wrestling with a similar question, not moving a paywall but also weighing the priorities of reach vs premium benefits. I think that when people offer to pay us (or when I pay someone), they don’t mean to curtail our efforts at reaching as many people as we can. Maybe the incentives to upgrade can be modest - while reach has priority.
You can poll your subs stating a bunch of reasons and open ended one to find out.
Thanks, Schlomi. I might do that
Thanks, Tara. I'm sure you're right. I think the people who upgraded on mine did so when there was nothing extra, they just wanted to support me. But I feel guilty if I don't offer more