I had mentioned recently that SmartEconomist is moving to a subscription-based model.

Today’s mail says…

“…you did not subscribe after paid access was introduced on September 21, 2006.”

(what else did you expect?)

“…What follows is a mechanism (loosely inspired by the ‘bookbuilding’ method used in IPOs) we designed…”

hmm…okay

“You let us know your no-commitment ‘bid price’ for an Annual Individual Subscription to SmartEconomist.com …. On the basis of all the bids we receive, we will set the price for a new Exclusive Offer”

Wow! Smart marketing. No, really. I have seen other websites put up surveys *before* before they turned to the subscription-based model. It’s difficult to take a step back (to surveys) once you have set a price on the subscription (like SE did). However, this is a good marketing attempt to “re-survey” and adjust the subscription price.

Let’s see where they land up.

[tags]smarteconomist, marketing[/tags]

Just when I was wondering exactly when it will happen, they did it.

Recently, SmartEconomist moved to a subscription-based model. From the site, “as Milton Friedman’s much-quoted adage goes, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”, and SmartEconomist.com, alas, is no exception: unrestricted access is now available to subscribers only. Many of the site’s features are still available free of charge - notably “Smart Interviews” and “Silly Economist” - but subscription is required to access full Reports.”

Clearly, they are targetting non-hobbyists with these prices for Individual subscription.

The free lunch was good. Thanks and Good Luck to these folks.

[tags]smarteconomist, free lunch[/tags]