Trinidad Guardian on Amazon but Barely On The Web
Submitted by Taran on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 10:26
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Trinidad Guardian subscription is available on Amazon.com
Who, in the age of the Internet, would pay so much for a newspaper subscription? Perhaps the Wall Street Journal. But wait... the The Wall Street Journal [1-year subscription]
The Trinidad Express Newspaper
And don't even try to tell me that this is because of shipping costs. Sure, it is. But shipping costs can be made to approach zero with a digital version. It is a daily newspaper. Even unauthorized copying could be a benefit in the long run. Simple as that.
But the Trinidad Guardian website demonstrates that they really haven't gotten their head around Web 2.0. And charging that much for a newspaper anywhere in the world in the age of the Internet is, quite frankly, silly.
Granted, the Trinidad Express is probably the best attempt at Web 2.0 from Trinidad and Tobago big media so far, but it really is a poorly designed custom site that lacks the flexibility any content management system could provide. And Newsday isn't as good as the Express...
But there is no real reason for Trinidad and Tobago media to change - yet. Their audience is extremely niche. The internet penetration of Trinidad and Tobago - the home audience - is quite small, with mainly expatriates truly gaining access. And none of the newspapers have truly demonstrated good reporting and writing on a consistent level - toss me any one of these newspapers on a given day and I can point out all manner of issues with them. When I wrote about the recipe for newspaper survival in the Internet age, I had been looking into these issues for some companies - and today, little has changed around the world.
But the traditional media who get the web survive, flourish and fill the spaces that others leave by their lack of knowledge and interest in the web audience. I suppose Trinidad and Tobago media just doesn't want to compete at a global level... where just enough is just not good enough.
Will Trinidad and Tobago grow up? Only if it lives past adolescence. They need to figure out the Internet, which probably means that they should use it more and try to control it less.
Guardian US subscription
Taran,
It costs money to transport dead trees around. The Guardian has to be FLOWN to the US where there are tariffs that need to be paid, as well as secondary transport that has to be arranged.
SHIPPING is what that price is about.
The US newspapers have their distribution channels setup because of the volume that they produce.
Get a clue, Taran.
Live in the real world.
Uhuh. Get a clue yourself, Michael...
There's a thing called ONLINE PUBLISHING. Welcome to the 21st century.
Let's be frank. The Guardian's website is substandard even with it's competition. The archives are a joke, which is why it isn't linked to as much. The content is on par with the local competition, which isn't much when considered globally.
But how does one defray costs of postage and so forth? Well, I heard of this thing called of the Internet - I think you may be familiar with it. Online magazines, PDF files, all of these things are quite common.
But I need a clue? Hmm. Intriguing. Hey, you could leave a comment here, too! The Trinidad Express has that ability...
Oh, I get it. Chopping down trees and mailing them across the world is a good thing?
Take stock. As a simple business decision, guess which newspapers and magazines will be read more? The ones with good websites and realistic prices. I'd suggest getting a grip on publishing - I do have some experience in that area, if you need it. But it'll cost you. ;-)
Have a nice day. :-)
Post new comment