As a “full-time digital bedouin” I’ve mulled over a lot of free/paid models in my latest effort. I can tell you that it’s interesting to put it in to action in the real world in my small business. Just yesterday a business owner and reader of my site called me and essentially wanted free consulting even though I only offer free content on my site – not free 1:1 consulting. :-)

Of course, I couldn’t help but help him (yes I am a sap). I churned out a quick 1-page recommendation for him based on his needs and sent him the info as homework. In another parallel world I would have told him I couldn’t help him or billed him for half of my hourly rate.

Was it worth it? Hard to say – depends on how you look at it. I chalked it up to market research/marketing cost because I learned something in the exchange. The best part is that I realized I could offer people like him a very low cost paid product in the future that might help other businesses and make me a little money so I don’t end up a non-profit. I think we just have to keep trying our ideas in practical situations – that’s how we’ll figure out the right balance.

As a related aside, Chris Anderson of long tail fame gave a great speech on FREE web/tech business models at a Nokia conference in November 0f 2007. If you or your readers haven’t checked it out I highly recommend the video and it’s also available as an mp3 download. Can’t wait to read his book on the topic.

Cheers

Julian

I’ve worked for corps that got stung hard and deep for copying, and find it cheaper to pay for things than to pay for lawyers :-)

I guess part of this simply has to do with who your customers are.

Many of us are looking at/for new ways to monetize our content and Kevin’s ideas provide a lot of food for thought.