Today we're announcing the
launch of EcommerceBytes 411 as we transition to a hybrid model of publishing (subscriber and advertiser supported).
The EcommerceBytes 411 email newsletter will bring you the full text of news stories critical to your online business at a special introductory rate of $49/year. It's a truly mobile publication that has been frequently requested by our readers. The first issue will be going out to subscribers right after the Labor Day holiday.
Why the change? We're excited about shaking off the constraints we feel as online publishers where quantity and sensationalism are increasingly crowding out the voices of quality reporting. We don't always take the "popular" stance on stories, and anyone who has been a member of EcommerceBytes for any length of time know that we don't publish articles that "toe the company line."
Why start a paid subscription newsletter? Because we think publishing has been turned on its head - tech giants are increasingly dictating to publishers, while we simply wish to provide readers with the news you need in a timely fashion without wasting your time.
Why allow companies like Google and Facebook to influence editorial decisions, we asked ourselves. By moving to a subscription model, we can concentrate on quality over quantity. We'll have more freedom in terms of format - some items in 411 will be more conversational, others will be more analytical. Giving you full text means you won't have to click through site to read each story. The whole story will be right there in front of you.
But we also recognize that a hybrid model takes some of the pain away from online sellers - continuing to run ads on the EcommerceBytes web site allows us to keep the subscription cost lower. Advertising also serves an important function, at least the way we've been doing it. We've found over the past 17 years that the services we vet as sponsors provide useful and educational content to readers, helping them find new tools and services that can help them sell smarter.
You may have noticed Google Adsense serving completely irrelevant content in our web site banner slots. We've noticed it too, and our goal is to eliminate Google Adsense from EcommerceBytes next year, giving you - and our sponsors - the web site experience we feel you deserve. A subscription newsletter allow us to do this.
In some ways we are entering uncharted waters, and you may be wondering if we will continue to publish EcommerceBytes Newsflash. That's our objective. But only EcommerceBytes 411 newsletter subscribers will have immediate access to all of the content in full, including news, analysis, and editorial commentary. And note that we won't be making back issues of 411 available to latecomers, so you'll want to subscribe right away
Of course online sellers who visit the website will still be able to use all of the tools and features on our website, including Ecommerce EKG, EveryPlaceISell, Letters to the Editor, and the blogs.
Everywhere you turn, publishers are trying to find the answer to some of the same challenges we face. Many are trying out paid membership plans, donate buttons, and the dreaded Paid Content / Native Advertising / advertorials, which we refuse to participate in.
In some ways, I feel I'm coming full circle. In 1995, I helped launch a newsletter called "The CyberSkeptic's Guide to Internet Research" - the price was $159/year for 10 issues. At $49/year, EcommerceBytes 411 is a great value that will help you sell more efficiently - and avoid costly mistakes.
We think you'll find the new format more user-friendly and helpful to you in running your ecommerce business. To learn more and sign up, visit the
EcommerceBytes 411 subscription page.
Big Change at EcommerceBytes with Launch of 411
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