Read on Twitter
1/ The biggest misconception in the media space is that people inherently like *only* directly subscribing to/supporting to one writer a la @Patreon.
Like @ne0liberal, we want access to great content/writers. The more the better. Bundled content is the way to go. https://twitter.com/ne0liberal/status/1265042007912853504
Like @ne0liberal, we want access to great content/writers. The more the better. Bundled content is the way to go. https://twitter.com/ne0liberal/status/1265042007912853504
2/ The misconception stems from ppl misusing critiques of the cable industry:
"I pay $100+ a month for 500 channels when I only watch 4-5. I wish I could unbundle my cable subscription and only pay $20 for CNN, HBO, and Comedy Central."
"I pay $100+ a month for 500 channels when I only watch 4-5. I wish I could unbundle my cable subscription and only pay $20 for CNN, HBO, and Comedy Central."
3/ By contrast, a @SubstackInc newsletter costs $0 to make. So there's no need to charge $100/month to subscribe. Instead, writers charge $5-20.
Writers could bundle together, charge $10-20, and the unit economics would still be favorable given the low cost of content.
Writers could bundle together, charge $10-20, and the unit economics would still be favorable given the low cost of content.
4/That's why the @nytimes is crushing it despite claims that the mainstream media's over. For $15-20 per month, they offer a huge bundle of writers across every topic area.
Op-eds, newsletters, games, cooking apps, etc....
Op-eds, newsletters, games, cooking apps, etc....
5/ There aren't any NYT readers who're asking to unbundle the paper right now. Even if you only read @MikeIsaac or @karaswisher, their unbundled newsletter offerings wouldn't be much cheaper (or would be more expensive) than your original NYT subscription.
6/ Sum: The last 20 years in media have been defined by unbundling (craigslist, eBay, new digital players, etc...)
Moving forward, expect more focus on rebuilding content bundles.
Moving forward, expect more focus on rebuilding content bundles.
