99 Cents
May 13, 2008 – 1:11 pmOccasionally I will be posting videos that will require you to pay 99 cents. I will be using zong for payment processing. You will have access to that video for 7 days. Almost none of you will do this. That’s ok. The content will be a little different. Longer, sketches, racier, How-to’s, I’m not really sure. A little of everything. No refunds, no warranties.
Posted in It's just business., Mobile, Pay Post, Zong
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49 Responses to “99 Cents”
At least you’re honest enough to admit not many will pay. I like that.
By Art Lindsey III on May 13, 2008
i hope you’ll offer a 9.99$ monthly flat
By thomas on May 13, 2008
Well said man. I was making this analogy the other day since I see the musician’s I work for getting their content stolen from them daily and knowing that 48 percent of 17 year old kids bought not a single CD in all of 2007 and with the growing number of digital sales, you have to offer some exclusive content and be honest about your intentions. If it is good enough, people will buy it. I got the new NIN album the other day for free on their website but when they release it in stores will gladly pay for the CD to support the artist. If people enjoy your work, they will pay the 99 cents to keep seeing it evolve.
I like the mobile route also good points about mobile being global.
By Adam Gershenbaum on May 13, 2008
Not really convinced about this experiment… I’m really surprised about this move. You are an entertainer and you have to gain something… but I’m sorry that you changed your ming about gaining money with your Blog… Anyway will see what type of content will be provided under payment. If it’s REALLY good I will be pleased to pay for it… Anyway I have to say that I pay an episode of Lost for 1.99$ on iTunes… one dollar more than your episode…
By Edoardo Piccolotto on May 13, 2008
Is this part of your sponsorship deal with Zong? I mean, as you admit that most people won’t pay the 99 cents, it seems the smarter way for you to make money by doing this is for Zong to pay you to use their payment system for the experiment. They’ll get noticed, that’s for sure. I hope they’re lining your pockets for this kind of promotion!
By Jackie Danicki on May 13, 2008
Should be interesting to see how it works, I’d pay for a few. Vloggers/podcasters have never been able to monitize their stuff very well. Why shouldnt these creators be compensated for their work from time to time?
By sean percival on May 13, 2008
Loren listen to this track and I wonder if it was written for you.
http://www.imeem.com/iluvmique/music/TOdYeBij/chicks_on_speed_99_cents/
By Sam Sethi on May 13, 2008
TOMGz Pricing scheme revolution. Radiohead 2007 = Lauren Feldman 2008
By Eric on May 13, 2008
You made me recall this:
http://www.omnisio.com/startupschool08/david-heinemeier-hansson-at-startup-school-08
I think content (and services) deserve payment: you like it, you pay it, you continue viewing/using it.
By ettore on May 13, 2008
Loren….most people have a hard time paying $.99 for professionally produced content and you, looking into your iSight and ranting is a comparison?
Instead, let’s say you have the “lowest everyday price” like Walmart. That fits since their stuff is bought by those who live in trailers and would enjoy your stuff for sure.
By Joe Mann on May 13, 2008
This is a remarkable idea and as usual you’re the brave pioneer. Bravo.
Anyone who produces video content soon understands that it’s an expensive undertaking. The cost of equipment, and the time needed for even basic editing are substantial.
I might try it too. I’ve got “Golf Girl TV”. I’ll just add “Naked Golf News” as premium content. I think it could work. Maybe.
By golfgirl on May 13, 2008
Spot-on and ahead of the curve. [I agree with golfgirl.] Stand behind your content. I wonder how many can do that. Further, the whole Zong thing sounds interesting and worth the try. Ninety-nine cents is a small price to pay for innovation.
And anyway, I’m not sure what people would get crazy about- it’s not the entire 1938 site that’s pay-to-play.
By MsInformation on May 13, 2008
I’ll pay. Your hilarious and make me feel better about the world.
By Anonymous on May 13, 2008
you are*
By Anonymous on May 13, 2008
As long as you keep the posts where you say that we (your dear readers) suck and are not creative free, it’s all fine by me.
And what’s cool with this $0.99 thing is that your content still really cheap and even closer to “almost free” for Europeans soon, seeing how the USD is depreciating lately.
By Icepick on May 13, 2008
What if ” One of Those Free Guys” Starts to Pass Out Torrents, Then What??
What’s the Plan Stan?
By the way..is there a Stan Puppet???
By Uplink on May 13, 2008
Thanks for the support. It’s more about the principle than anything else. You pay for movies, for HBO, why not this crap? Unlike the other mediums you can ONLY GET THIS SHIT HERE. As MsInformation pointed out, It’s not the whole site. Just some extra special shit. Either buy it or don’t, but I assure you all I’m worth a whole lot more than 99 cents even on my worst day.
By Loren Feldman on May 13, 2008
Uplink,
People will steal and upload. I know this. It’s no big deal until it’s you right? Right. I think it sucks. I’ve given so much away, willingly, I think I made a fuck of a lot of people laugh and maybe even think. I give a piece of myself to you, that’s why I’m good. I guess that’s worth nothing to most, but not to me. If someone is gonna steal, which I know they will, fuck em. Shame on them.
By Loren Feldman on May 13, 2008
Loren, it will be interesting to see how this goes. I probably won’t pay unless there’s a free cliffhanger post in a series that I just have to see what happens next.
In the meantime, my blog will remain free for everyone’s viewing pleasure.
By S.P. Gass on May 13, 2008
SP So don’t pay. Easy right. 100% of the site will remain free except for posts you choose to pay for that is.
By Loren Feldman on May 13, 2008
This should be interesting.
And good for you. iTunes songs, etc last just as long as your videos do. And most of those artists aren’t giving things away for free. Sure you have NIN that comes along and gives away an album for free, but how much have they made (and continue to make) on prior albums, tours, and the like. Plus it was a huge measure of altruism/PR for them.
Also, lots of blogs have premium content and they charge considerably more. Though many like to get free content all over, things that cost money can have a better perceived value.
I’ll be watching. Let us know how it all goes.
By Brian Wallace - NowSourcing on May 13, 2008
It should be at least $1.99, or I feel abused and cheap. But you should have PayPal, not just Zong.
By Prokofy on May 14, 2008
Loren, you do entertain a lot of people and you’re absolutely right–quality content is worth paying for. And Zong is brilliant. But what do you think would create higher readership and revenue numbers, mostly free content with select paid/premium posts as you’re planning on, or a monthly subscription format with unlimited access site-wide? (Or perhaps a hybrid, with a free genpub area that germinates interest to a premium subscription area?)
Can you counter the no-cost expectations of an audience trained on p2p content sharing?
Can the pay-per-sip approach gain traction?
Can my theory be proven that you’re the illegitimate lovechild of Howard Stern and Bob Schimmel?
Keep up the great work. You’re one talented tech hoodlum, and you’re onto something big with the puppets. Not your intended audience, but my young son was running around the house last night shouting “HEY! I’m Robert Scoble!”
Best,
Dave
By Dave Cynkin on May 14, 2008
Two words: puppet porn.
By DJ on May 14, 2008
Dave Winer is pissed. Content is free, man.
Keep in mind though, as technologically hip as I am, even I’m not SMS accessible. Sure, your trying to throw zong a little love and may really be considering PayPal but do keep in mind not everyone has SMS technology.
I actually opt not to have SMS technology because then I’ll never be tempted to text ‘LOVE’ to 94858 to see if my girlfriend and I are compatible.
By Josh on May 14, 2008
PS - You need another way to express your ‘bullishness’ on mobile. ‘Bullish’ comes out sounding alot like ‘bullshit’. LOL
By Josh on May 14, 2008
Loren,
My phone isn’t even capable of displaying the phone number that I’m dialing, as its screen has been smashed for about a year. Waiting for the contract renewal to come up so I can get a new one. Phone still works for dialing and talking though. So, no SMS for me.. at any time, to any one, on any level, ever. lol
By Jennifer Bishop on May 14, 2008
Friend there is only one problem.
I’m from Romania:)
I want to pay to see your content but I can’t ’cause zbong doesn’t support Romania sms shit.
This kind of shit makes me want to say hei you web 2.0 zbonf shit…. uk, us, germany and another 4 countries…. ain’t the fucking hole globe. Idiots at work.
By alexandru savu on May 14, 2008
@alexander savu: germany is not on their list. zong “worldwide” - thats what i call american ignorance.
loren, what about paypal and a yearly subscription plan?
By hp baxter on May 14, 2008
You do realize that they’re not an American company, right?
Or did you just assume they were because you perceived some slight or arrogance?
By Vinny on May 14, 2008
Website: http://www.zong.com
Location: Redwood City, California, United States
By hp baxter on May 14, 2008
Ok so let’s set the record straight here: Zong covers the US and Western Europe for now. We’re working on expanding that coverage to Eastern Europe and Asia as we speak. 500+ million mobile users are currently covered and our target is to reach over 1 billion by the end of the year, that is 850 million more users you can charge compared to Paypal for example. More importantly, have you ever tried texting a credit card for a new service or an add-on to your service? Mobile payment is the most appropriate payment mechanism on the web for amounts lower than $10, hopefully we will prove this in the coming months!
By David Marcus on May 14, 2008
It’s pretty easy to see here. Zong is paying Loren to help launch and test out their system. I see nothing wrong with that. Loren’s gotta eat too.
Does anyone really believe that Loren planned on making a ton of jack by a buck subscription? Even if he got 1,000 people a month to pay, that’s only $1k/month. He could make more with one ad on this blog.
He’s getting paid to promote Zong. Makes sense to me.
By Jim Kukral on May 14, 2008
@hp baxter:
Nice try dope… Here’s the contact info from their page.
Echovox S.A.
43, Route des Acacias
CH-1227 Geneva
Switzerland
Email: info@zong.com
Phone: +41 22 308 8 308
By Vinny on May 14, 2008
You’re right, Loren. It is simple… “if you don’t want to pay, then don’t pay.” I’ll keep visiting for the continued quality free content.
Many would say I’m a cheapskate to begin with since I don’t subscribe to cable/satellite/etc.: http://lowtechtimes.com/category/things-you-dont-need/cable-satellite-subscriptions/
By S.P. Gass on May 14, 2008
Hey man its me. I gotta talk to you about your videos man we gotta decentralize em man. Just because Loren Feldman invented Loren Feldman videos doesn’t mean Loren Feldman should get to keep Loren Feldman Videos you know what I mean Man? Their too funny man. I should run it man. Convert em all to RSS man. I can run the whole thing from the pad here in Berkley Man. It’s a cool pad. My mom and dad bought me a router man I can handle the traffic. I’m telling you man their too funny man. We gotta decentralize em man.
sorry couldn’t resist.
By Rick Calvert on May 15, 2008
@vinny:
try to be a professional.
crunchbase says: ‘Zong is an open mobile platform provider from Geneva and Redwood City-based mobile media provider Echovox’.
zong only works in few countries and loren should offer an alternative for the rest of the world.
i also think it is ridiciolous that the same content costs Euro 1.39 in Spain, more than twice as much than in the usa. the dollar is down the tubes and the prices should reflect that.
By hp baxter on May 15, 2008
I don’t care if Crunchbase says the company bangs your mother on weekends with a leather suit, a whip, and a bucket of mayonnaise.
The ZONG site says they’re from Geneva.
If I ask “Who’s a douche?” and someone says HP Baxter!, or if I ask you “Who’s a douche?” and you say “I am!” which one carries more weight?
Obviously you do.
By Vinny on May 15, 2008
@Vinny:
they have two headquaters.
http://www.echovox.com/main.php?item=about&subitem=contact
By hp baxter on May 15, 2008
@”…a leather suit, a whip, and a bucket of mayonnaise.”
Kool Whip is much better than mayonnaise– that’s just nasty.;-)
By Vince Williams on May 15, 2008
enough already.
loren, are you working on a solution for the rest of the world or what?
By hp baxter on May 15, 2008
What’s a shame with mobile monetization is that carriers keep more that 50% of each transaction for themselves… So you are going to give Lauren money, but at&t, Verizon & the other too (50cents/video).
Sounds great, they need it.
By Loli on May 15, 2008
Loren, is there a possibility to pay by paypal
By seaorg on May 15, 2008
Hey Loren, one mistake on your first premium post - can’t see number of comments or read comments. Both these things would get more people to pay IMO.
By rakesh on May 15, 2008
Pay Per Puppet.
I’ll pay $.99 to see my puppet be idiotic ever day. Where do I sign up?
By Robert Scoble on May 16, 2008
I don’t like associating with people that want everything for free. Information does NOT want to be free, it wants to be made VALUABLE. It is a shame that so many people have fallen for it. I used to think that way, but then one day I finally woke up and saw that that line of thinking cheapens EVERYTHING, including the person who thinks it. The dip shit bloggers mistakingly think that you want them for an audience.
I’m glad you’re doing this, Loren.
By Jecklin on May 22, 2008