Two news publishers with nearly identical markets and starting points produced dramatically different results over one year. One grew their email list at twice the rate. The other converted paid subscribers at four times the rate. Understanding why reveals the…
Setting up your newsletter correctly could be the most important thing you do for your publication this year. With the right framework, you can turn casual readers into loyal subscribers and paying members. The key lies in understanding the three…
Many publishers are still hesitant about putting up a paywall, worried it will hurt their audience engagement and traffic. However, data shows the opposite can be true if a paywall is set up correctly. This approach can actually lead to…
The 240-year-old Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is closing in May. I went through their website to see what went wrong. Spoiler: a lot. Pittsburgh has 2.4 million residents. The Post-Gazette was the leading news source. At just 5% market penetration and $10/month,…
Your subscription page says “unlimited access” and “archive access.” Cool. But why should anyone care? Here’s how to sell benefits instead of features. I’ve been looking at publisher subscription pages lately, and they’re all making the same mistake. They list…
Newsletter automation is the secret weapon for converting free readers into paid subscribers. Learn how local news publishers are increasing revenue while saving time with automated newsletter workflows, segmentation strategies, and smart content recycling. If you’re a news publisher struggling…
Many publishers hesitate to launch paywalls because they fear overwhelming customer service demands. Learn why subscription revenue far outweighs support concerns, and discover the tools and strategies that reduce login issues, payment headaches, and subscriber friction to near zero. “Are…
Many publishers hesitate to launch paywalls because they lack confidence in their content or fear their community can’t afford subscriptions. Learn why these fears are unfounded, how publishers in the poorest regions of America are succeeding with subscriptions, and the…
Learn how to design a subscription funnel that meets reader expectations, nurtures upgrades naturally, and maximizes revenue—plus discover the counterintuitive strategy one publisher used to double subscription prices with a simple email asking readers to “reply yes.” ESPN taught me…
Launching a paywall for your local news site in 2025 is easier than ever. With tools like PaywallProject, publishers can quickly spin up a subscription-ready site, capture reader revenue, and stay focused on producing great journalism. Why a Paywall Matters…