I’ve appreciated the stimulating thoughts from Chris Anderson, but have to admit, this review of his newest book is…stimulating in and of itself! What price for your (insert your commodity, service or resource here)? In the end, it seems, even “Free Free Free!” gurus suggest that “Paid Paid Paid” has its merits.
Now, to on to walk that free-or-paid tightrope.
In this Wall Street Journal article (subscription required to read full article) it was noted that most households access 16 television channels, despite the cable industry average offering of more than 100 channels.The reporter suggests that the cable companies need to reduce the number of channels offered, something along the lines of “less is more.”
The reader comments were telling (and you can see all of them without subscribing) and humorous. Several suggested that the number of channels offered isn’t the problem, rather, it is the quality of those channels — and the high price to access them.
I’ve never paid for cable, and don’t watch TV. But what about you? Leave a comment and tell me:
One definition of “long tail” might be this:
“small sites serving the refined interests of niche audiences”
Why is “long tail” important? Because most of us won’t have a mega-site with millions of visitors daily. We still have traffic at our sites, though, and we do touch an audience.
Here’s a video explaining this crucial marketing concept for everyone who has a business and/or is interested in using the web to drive a brand or business.
How to measure the effectiveness of social media? In a word, customers who “spray.” So says Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV. He’s a bit passionate about the matter.
As I write this there is news of a plane crash in Buffalo, NY. At this moment, however, after a rather extensive online search, the only place I can really find any coverage at all is at Twitter. The microblogging site seems to have a multitude of on-site reporters…a group of non-paid citizens who are giving first-hand accounts and (literally) up-to-the-minute details about the situation as it is unfolding. They are offering information as they can, and also expressing heart-felt concern and sorrow for the victims and their families.
There is a lone newspaper offering an online photo and coverage, The Buffalo News.
Google News had nary a word about the crash, even though it happened some 45 minutes ago.
The New York Times has one small front-page line indicating a plane crash occurred. However, they want to tell you more ONLY if you are a paying subscriber. Absurd! Breaking news coverage – but only if you shell out a fee. This kind of approach to news will only hasten the demise of newspapers – and really, of any outlet that tries to tightly control the flow of information.
I understand the economic realities of traditional media – I’m in radio – so I know the infrastructure needed to support information gatherers and the distribution systems required. Still, it is becoming clear that newspapers cannot employ enough people to support our insatiable need for breaking news. I don’t expect the New York Times to have field reporters in every community across the land. That said, it is obvious that there are folks who are willing and able to cover stories like this and to get the word out – and they do it without pay. This represents a mega-shift in the media world and necessarily has dire implications for those in the traditional news-gathering business.
What I am seeing tonight is the power of Twitter. Citizen journalism, community and a network of connections. Thousands of people communicating instantaneously and without the hindrances of the old way of news coverage.
It seems to me, more and more, that this is the future of news.
Leaving two “traditional” media advertising sales efforts, Google is now planning to shuft their attention to…(surprise!) online streaming. Article here.
Makes some sense, in light of what Google does. Still, I think there is a lot to be made in traditional radio advertising. The medium has some 90% of the U.S. tuned in weekly. Where there are ears, there will be ads!
Tags: Advertising, Radio, Streaming
Fascinating video about the speed of technology and information, and what it might mean to you. Wow.
Did You Know? from Amybeth on Vimeo.
Tags: Global, Information, Internet, Knowledge, Media, Statistics, Technology
No matter if you are a budding blogger, or a seasoned blogger, here are some great tips for reviewing and optimizing your online work. Good thing to do as we enter 2009!
He’s a marketing guru, and these are must-reads of his most popular posts from 2008.
News of a sensible decision by the Recording Industry Association of America from the Wall Street Journal.
