If I subscribed to every email newsletter and information service that was offered me, there would not be enough time to read them all.
So when a newsletter offer appears in my in box, which frequently happens, I give it only the briefest of consideration before pressing delete. Last week, however, I paused long enough to give one such solicitation serious consideration.
As a magazine publisher, a newsletter about publishing seemed worthy. I looked at the sample issue. It was a PDF file of eight pages in length. Eight pages is a bit too much to read online, yet I dislike printing a document merely for the sake of portability and convenience.
I scanned the contents. One article was of great interest and a second of passing appeal. Perhaps, I considered, this newsletter might be worthy of my time. I clicked on the “subscribe” link and was shocked with what I saw. It was not a free publication, but one with a cost—945 dollars. Not 9 dollars and 45 cents, but nine hundred and forty-five dollars! When I assumed it was free, I was mildly engaged, but at 945 dollars I was appallingly disinterested.
How can someone have try to charge for news that is free and readily available? What impudence.
Yes, information does have its price, but unless it’s unique or protected, the appropriate price in today’s information laden society approaches zero.
Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: Successful Author FAQs: Discover the Art of Writing, the Business of Publishing, and the Joy of Wielding Words. Get your copy today.
Peter Lyle DeHaan is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book Successful Author FAQs for insider tips and insights.