Voluntary Subscription Monetizing

[Karnul]

Ok... so I put together a content site and pulled traffic. However, the ads played on my site and the blending use pissed off the user base.

So... I would like to move to a voluntary subscription model. I've read that others (Shoemoney) had great success with this method of monetization.

My thinking:

Split the content up. Maybe half goes free in the public section, the other half goes into the private section.

How would you word the access to the private section?

Something like:

"Please support xxxxxxx.com by donating $9.95 for 6 months access to the private section..."

Or ---> "Give us poor bastards some $$$!"

Or... just flat out charge?

Anyone got experience with this?

 

[Andrew]

Best way is to have them browsing the free content and then get messages like "for the rest, join our premium member section."

A lot of article based content sites will have the first couple paragraphs, and then you have to pay for the rest.

One thing is for sure, you need that free content available for the viral and organic SE traffic. But, you can use is to not only attract that free traffic but make them want more, think about that.