Paid digital content

Last Thursday, Bonnier R&D invited a couple of guest speakers, e.g. Forrester Analyst Nick Thomas, Sapient AD Cassian Opara, SSE researcher Henrik Sjödin, and a large number of colleagues to discuss and exchange experiences regarding the popular topic of "consumers' willingness to pay for digital content". The event was internal, so the exact conclusions can't be revealed. However, the following four public sources were referred to during the seminar and are highly recommended:

Forrester Research - People Will Still Pay for (Access to) Content

James McQuivey, Vice President and Analyst at Forrester Research, summarizes his thoughts regarding the Paid Content 2010 conference in NYC. Main conclusion: Consumers don't pay for content, they pay for access to content.  

Microsoft - Charging for Content

Microsoft's Alastair Bruce has put together a slide show on all ways in which publishers currently are charging their consumers; freemium and metered access being two examples.

Beta Tales - Five Ways to Build Unique Value for Paid Digital Content

Aftenposten's own Digital Media Strategist, John Einar Sandvand, explains how unique value is created. Media companies are able to generate a sense of unique value and thus charge their consumers if they manage to fulfill at least one of the following five attributes: unique content, unique convenience, unique usefulness, unique experience, unique packaging.  

Nielsen - Changing Models: A Global Perspective on Paying for Content Online

Nielsen asked more than 27,000 consumers across 52 countries if they are willing to pay for online news and entertainment which they currently get for free, and the answer is a definite "maybe." As expected, the vast majority (85%) prefer that free content remain free.

We would love to hear your view on these things.