Why Subscription Services That Block Content Are Not The Way To Go For Content Creators, But Tips And Rewards Are

in blog •  7 years ago 

Here is the thing. There is a lot of content online. A lot is an understatement. There is massive, massive amounts of content of sites like Youtube alone. Let alone every other site that is out there. And 99% of it is free. You can literally spend all day on Youtube or Twitch watching videos and not pay a cent for it. The same as articles. There are millions of blogs online and several that cover the topic you are looking for. You can even get your fix here on steemit. If this is the case, why would anyone pay a subscription fee to access content, especially content from new users.

This is why I would argue that sites (including crypto sites) that work by blocking content until you pay a fee (even a micro-transaction) will not work. No one is going to give money to a new video maker or blogger to see if their page is even good. And even big companies that charge to read their page are not a good business model. I don't even read an article on pages that ask for my email first :p. It is not that people do not want to support their favorite content creators is they do not want to be forced to.

What does work is rewards like steemit and a form of tips. Twitch lets users donate to their favorite streamers and people are constantly being tipped. They also have a sub option but this only gives the subscribers perks. The content is always free. And that is the world we live in. If you going to compete you need to keep that in mind.

Want another example? Think of Netflix. It has some of the highest quality shows and movies that it streams and it is only $10 a month. You need to compete with that quality if you think you are going to make subscription money. And no blogger is.

Use steemit as your model of how to monetize blogger or twitch.

castle-2218358_1280.jpg

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE STEEM!
Sort Order:  

I'd say even more.
Tip the reader for putting his eyeballs on you!

Good point. I agree. If your quality is high enough, or niche enough, and you can scale... if all of those are true, then it could work. Otherwise, stuff like this is the way. At some point with upvotes on Steemit or Sola, it's use it or lose it -- In a sense, it doesn't cost you anything to do it. It's just a question of who you reward.

Exactly and people will pay to support those they like, look at kickstarter

good write @whatageek
resteem

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment
  ·  7 years ago (edited)

This is a nice write up. You're right, there are lots of stuff online. Most are irrelevant but we can't overstate the usefulness of others. To me, paying before you can make use of some info ain't right. It should all be free.

Cant agree with you more. Great read.

Yah, nobody is gonna pay for something that they can get for free at any other place.

most news sites in Denmark is like this, that's why i have boycotted almost all of them rofl.

I don't get it, it is only going to drive people away.

We living in times where old fashion ways of gaining people to something are just problematic and doesn't works like they did days ago.

We need to reward people for what they doing, even if they like to do something like trash content. Everybody needs to get what he worked for :D

Steemit seems to be on a good way, I think: Connecting the content creation and consumption with a third utility that has its own purpose of productivity.

A different example would be a dating site that is connected to games and other mutual entertainment. Both works in itself, while attracting female dating candidates might be the short end. And so you create a gaming and entertainment environment that attracts them. Men would flock there on their own. (Although, I don't know a specific example, but I imagine that might be a working deal.)

Isn't it great to know that using Steem is using the future of media?

Great information whatageek i love how you specify each of the other social media platform and explain the best one to go with nice!