Biz journal editor: Why we charge for our content

Ilana Lowery, the editor of the Phoenix Business Journal, writes about why the American City Business Journals’ papers charge for most of their content.

Lowery writes, “The PBJ, like many credible news sources nationally, has experimented with various content monetization models. One change you may have noticed if you also read us online is some of our daily content now is behind a paywall and require a PBJ subscription to read it. We post at least two staff-reported news stories online every business day that are available only to our paid subscribers.

“These posts are labeled ‘Subscriber Content.’ A little key shows up next to the headline on our home page and a lock appears next to the story in our Morning Edition and Afternoon Edition email newsletters.

“As a result, our newsroom is receiving no less than a dozen requests a week to send story links to people who read us religiously online, but who don’t have a paid subscription to our publication.

“As a business publication, we know the importance of a strong bottom line and a profit. That’s why we adopted this strategy.

“There’s still plenty of free content on our site, but we hope non-subscribers will see the value of exclusive news and insight from our experienced and well-connected reporters to help grow their businesses, advance careers and connect with the regional economy.”

Read more here. Yes, a subscription is required.