Is Selling Content the Future of the Blogosphere?

Posted by Justin Korn
on September 16, 2008

Money Guy by Alex OlshanskyI just read a post Chris Brogan wrote titled “Selling Blog Content the Clean Way” in response to the way GigaOm Briefings is being run.  At the end of the article, Chris states,

“How hard is it to make a post, and then make a LOT MORE for someone to buy and continue the experience?

I’m totally stealing this idea. You should consider it, too.“

Is this the future of the blogoshere?  Will we have to pay to read the full experience?

I don’t know about you, but I read the blogs I do because they provide insights on the topics I am interested in or trying to learn more about; I read them because I respect what the author has to say and feel I learn something from them; I read them because I enjoy seeing what others are saying and how they view these topics differently then I do.

Would you be willing to pay for “premium” content from TechCrunch?  I know I wouldn’t.  At this time, I don’t think there is a single blog I read that I would be willing to pay for.  However, that might be because the blogosphere is saturated with similar content and/or because these blogs aren’t providing a service above and beyond the content being written.  Most of the blogs I read are other geeks/nerds/experts/etc. that have an opinion or unique view and enjoy sharing their thoughts whether it is on photography, social networks, new technology, etc.

Now, I might be missing the point of Chris’s post, but if the blogosphere is heading in this direction, I’m worried and you should be too.  Is this really where we are heading?

Till next time…

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Be the first to rate this post: 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Come on, give this post some love!
Loading ... Loading ...
Categorized: The Social Web
Tagged: , , , , ,
  • Chris - I guess it comes down to why a particular blog exist and what the motives are behind it. I do see your point and think it will be interesting to see what happens in the space going forward. I just hope it doesn't get out of hand...
  • I imagine it relates to premium content that serves a specific buyer. If you write up how cool the Canon 5D Mark II is, I'll think that's cool. If you then go on to tell me 100 things I didn't know how to do with it? That might be worth a few bucks. If you show me how my company can use those cameras to bring in $1.2 Million next year, then you can charge me the moon.
  • Chris - I can see value in selling premium content to a business, particularly if the content helps the business with saving money in the long run or making an important decision.

    One example of a blog/service that I can think of, and that has been doing it for awhile, is The Motley Fool. They pump out data into their blog daily. Their post are informative and somewhat helpful, but leave you hanging just a tad so they have a reason to pitch their premium services that provide you with stock tips and further market insights and details.

    I'm not sure where the line should be drawn here.
  • Ah, then you've missed the real key to what I found there. You wouldn't pay for the content you're already reading. That continues free and you can go about your merry business.

    But what if the premium material was something actionable? The information in the briefing I referenced in my post was something that IT departments will use to make decisions on purchasing for 2009. It's something that drives real world value.

    Would you ever conceive of a time or situation where information given to you would be worth more than you paid?

    Photoshop tips, guitar lessons, whatever. There's something to the notion of giving lots away for free and charging for a premium above it.

    Don't buy the blog. Consider the extras.
  • I agree completely with you Justin. I would not pay for content on a blog. I don't think I would even sell content from a blog. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of blogging in general?
blog comments powered by Disqus