Bob Bly Direct Response Copywriter Official Banner

Should All Information Be Free?

January 27th, 2006 by Bob Bly

There?s a growing movement among some folks to make all information in the world available to everyone on the planet at no charge.

But if information is free to consumers, that means the salaries of the subject matter experts, writers, and editors whose job it is to produce content must all be paid by advertising, rather than subscription and product sales. One can argue that all content producers would be then influenced by advertisers, who would hold their financial fate in their hands.

Content producers who produce objective, unbiased reporting because they accept no advertising, like traditional subscription newsletter publishers, cannot survive if they must give away everything they produce for free.

Consumers, by the way, don?t buy into this ?all information is free? crap: according to an article in BtoB (1/16/05, p. 10), the information industry will generate revenues of $306 billion in 2006.

That?s an increase of 8% over 2005 sales — an indicator that the growing presence of the Internet is stimulating rather than retarding the sale of paid content.

Share

This entry was posted on Friday, January 27th, 2006 at 10:35 am and is filed under General, Writing and the Internet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

48 responses about “Should All Information Be Free?”

  1. Michael Cage said:

    If someone is willing to spends days in a library, on the internet or tracking down experts in order to get their questions answered, they can. The information is out there.

    I’d argue that data and information (using Ackoff’s knowledge management terms) are already largely free. It’s the filtering, shaping and presentation of information/knowledge/understanding/wisdom that commands a premium nowadays. This brings us to premium pricing by virtue of the time savings associated with adopting a fully-formed system … reducing overwhelm at parsing competing statements and worldviews … the experience the presentation of “info” creates … and at least a dozen other keys.

    Michael Cage

  2. Mordechai (Morty) Schiller said:

    Bob,

    There’s no simple “digital” yes/no answer. Part of the problem goes back to the halcyon years of the early Arpanet and Internet: Many of the people involved were idealists who saw the Internet as the ultimate “power to the people.” It was the pamphleteer’s dream come true.

    Then the media and corporate America discovered the Net. What was originally a means of connecting scientists, became a new commercial medium.

    That doesn’t change the fact that writers and others who create “content” have a right to be paid for their work. Otherwise, to paraphrase Samuel Johnson, only blockheads will continue writing. Or people shilling for the highest bidding advertisers!

    Still, if you’ve been wired for long, you’ve gotten used to vast libraries of information available for free. And anyone who has ever tried to convert a controlled circulation magazine or newsletter to paid subscriptions… or anyone who has tried to “monetize” a blog… can tell you that once people get something for free, it’s hard to convince them to pay for it!

    So what do you do? Hey, you wrote the book on direct marketing (or a bunch of them, anyway). The answer is TEST!

    Do your own free articles on you website help sell your books and your services?

    Is the Wall St. Journal online making money?

    Whatever works for you!

  3. Justin Hitt said:

    All information is free if you are willing to trade enough time to discover it! That time could be experience, trial & error, or just days of searching the Internet.

    Yes, advertisers will influence the direction of content, if even by how much they are willing to pay for certain channels. Unsuspecting users are willing to live with that because they don’t know any better.

    Content producers (writers, artists, …) will never be paid well for what they do if they don’t learn how to turn “information” into tools to save readers time, convey expertise, or create value.

    Much of the “Free” information on the Internet is so watered down it costs hours to find something useful … and as long as that is the case, my paid membership sites will thrive because I save my audience time while creating value.

    Of course, time is more valuable than money. You can always make more money, you can never make more time. So the question may be, “What does free information really cost?”

    Sincerely,

    Justin Hitt
    757-282-7779
    Turning Relationships into Profits Guaranteed

  4. Patrick Huey said:

    While I feel empathy among the purists that all information should be free, the reality is that all information comes at a price (even free information). It’s certainly possible to get valuable information for free instead of paying hundreds or thousands of dollars like some people or companies have done, but for most people, they spend hours, days or even weeks to gather that free information. So while they may have saved a few bucks, they lost precious time that could have been better spent building a business, meeting with customers, having quality time with family, etc.

    In a way, information on the internet is like water. Water is all around us and we can get “free” water just by turning on the tap; yet the bottled water industry has made billions of dollars by marketing cleaner or more pure water than they can get from the tap. Don’t forget that people will pay a premium for convenience, whether it’s food, water, cleaning services or even online information.

  5. Silverware said:

    Good observation, your ideas are right on.

  6. cadillac car club said:

    cadillac car club

    ha-rd-po-rn-fu-ck 1309478 Info about cadillac car club.

  7. blonde slut fucking said:

    blonde slut fucking

    blonde slut fucking

  8. lcennbmtke said:

    Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! tcxzdqxzca

  9. plonmxvcjf said:

    Thanks for this site!
    qg.asgre.biz
    ke.brth.biz
    yb.brth.biz
    pv.asgre.biz

  10. RobertM said:

    Add your blog to yahoo database

  11. Nee said:

    Hi! Great points made up above! I am writing a debate about this at the moment for a competition and I have to agree with what most have you said (except for the spam comments). Info. is never even free on the internet anyway because not does it take time to acquire it, it also costs money for internet conection and even more on dial up. No matter where we go people will rip us off for the resources we use.

  12. dnevni horoskop said:

    I’m definiteley maintain that all information be free. It’s only way to get more human touch.

  13. Mary Brace said:

    “Information is power.”

    It was such a nice dream, the idea that freely shared information would spread democracy from the internet, to the offline world.

    The horrible reality in front of me is that people who spent years, decades even, who followed “calling” careers – particularly writers, photographers, and other highly skilled people – who made mediocre wages doing something they are passionate about, are watching their means of self-support torn out from under them thanks to those engineers who made it possible for people who’d spend $1500 on a camera, but won’t plunk down another $100-$400 for workshops, to post a question like, “EXIF data?”

  14. izrada web sajtova said:

    Should All Information Be Free? Well, all democracy based on that.

  15. ProCopywritingTactics said:

    I think all information has a price. You can willing to pay the price in terms of time and effort to search all over the net to find it. (And not everything you find online is true or even accurate!)

    Or you could save oodles of time and shell out some cash and buy an information product that can teach you more about the subject.

    The choice is up to the individual.

  16. phone number for yankee stadium said:

    Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn anything like this before. So nice to search out anyone with some original ideas on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this website is one thing that’s wanted on the internet, someone with slightly originality. useful job for bringing something new to the web!

  17. izrada sajtova said:

    I do agree with all of the ideas you have offered
    on your post. They’re really convincing and can definitely work.
    Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for novices. May just you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time?
    Thanks for the post.

  18. Furniture transfer said:

    Great thank you for the amazing article.

  19. Corwin said:

    puppies for sale,pug puppies for sale in oregon,pug puppies for sale in az,pug puppies for sale in va,pug puppies near mepugs for sale,pug puppies for sale,pugs for sale near me,cheap pugs for sale,pug puppies for sale near me teacup pug. cheap pugs for sale,pug puppies for sale,pug puppies for sale near me.
    https://pugslandbreeder.company.com

  20. Joe Clark said:

    MCA Live Transfer Leads professional guarantees to deliver best qualified for MCA Aged Leads with precise and updated knowledge prepared for conversion MCA Live Leads.

  21. Sadaf Khan said:

    I do agree with all of the ideas you have offered
    on your post. They’re really convincing and can definitely work.Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for novices. May just you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time?
    Thanks for the post.7 Stages RO Purifier Ultra Violet and Industrial RO Plants dubai

  22. ABHI said:

    Nice content writing…thanks for sharing….

    Visit : https://www.technovichar.com/

  23. Saba Khan said:

    I do agree with all of the ideas you have offered
    on your post. thanks from uv sterilizer uae company…

  24. Ndure Shoes said:

    Shop best quality formal shoes for men online Pakistan from Ndure. Shop from a wide range of colours and styles, available exclusively at Ndure. Ndure Men’s Formal Shoes are made from best quality materials, with soft shoe sole. Style a handsome look in best quality Men’s Formal Shoes. At Ndure, we have fashion for every one of You.
    Buy Latest fashion track suits for women online from Ndure. Fast Shipping.

  25. alyssa lauren said:

    Accidentally I have come across this website and am a little bit confused about assisted living home the details shared here. This topic was titled, should all the information be free? I am expecting more details about it from here and will keep sharing more updates on that.

  26. himanshu sharma said:

    check this hot girl https://www.updatedcelebrities.com/edin-rose-wiki/

  27. vivek sharmat said:

    check this hot babe https://www.updatedcelebrities.com/danielle-cooper-dani-cooppss/

  28. Roman Tujski said:

    We appreciate you sharing this wonderful information with us. Going through this was an incredible feeling.

    Get better at Fortnite

  29. Chinyere said:

    Chinyere is best Pakistani clothing brands. Check chinyere cloths collection online today.

  30. GoMatka said:

    Really a nice blog. Very informative.
    Satta Matka App Development
    Matka Game App Development
    Matka app development
    https://gomatkapro.gowebs.in

  31. Rivaj UK said:

    Rivaj offers the best cosmetics and related products like Maybelline concealer and similar Concealer products So, grab the best concealer today and enjoy Their concealers are truly unbeatable and offer a high degree of satisfaction Rivaj offers the best concealer in Pakistan to their customers every day

  32. Flormar said:

    Discover primer makeup and setting sprays for flawless skin from Flormar.pk. Find anti-aging primers and pore erasers to smooth away lines and imperfections!

  33. Jazmin Clothing said:

    Discover the latest ladies dress design for women online at Jazmin. Grab your latest design in all over Pakistan with reasonable prices.

  34. Servis Shoes said:

    Servis.pk is a leading online store that offers Sneakers for men and other products at the lowest prices. Our product range includes Sneakers for men, Sandals, Chappals, Casual Wear & Formal Wear, Sports Shoes and Peshawari Sandals in various sizes. Our collection is updated regularly so that you have the latest designs at your disposal.

  35. Highway Fashions said:

    Check out the latest afrozeh clothing online at Highway fashions. Explore the wide range of branded dresses online at Highway fashions. Get your favorite dresses online in all over Pakistan at low prices.

  36. Royal Leafs said:

    If you’re searching for the best Cannabis store, you’re at the right place! At Royal Leafs, you can find plenty of Cannabis products such as Cannabis pre-rolls, raw and milled flowers, drinks, and accessories such as bongs and vapes of the highest quality.

  37. harry said:

    buenos dias, frases de buenos dias, buenos dias mi amor, buenos dias amor, buenos días, buenos dias miercoles etc.

  38. sanoya said:

    Como Saber Meu Numero – Qual é o meu número de telemóvel? Hoje em dia tornou-se muito difícil para as pessoas lembrarem-se do seu número de telemóvel de dez dígitos porque as pessoas continuam a mudar os seus números.

  39. Mushtaq said:

    Explore the latest Maria B Collection at Mushtaq. Find the perfect outfit for any occasion with our premium quality and stylish pieces. Shop now and elevate your wardrobe with the latest trends.

  40. Oxeltech said:

    Prototype development is the process of creating a functional model of a product before it goes into mass production. This model is usually the first version of the product and helps in evaluating its design, functionality, and usability.The primary goal of prototype development is to identify and resolve any issues before mass production. This saves time and resources by preventing expensive rework and product recalls.

  41. Carolina Dantas said:

    I’m definiteley maintain that all information be free. It’s only way to get more human touch.

  42. BabyBoxShop said:

    Our Baby Gift Box is the perfect present to celebrate the arrival of a precious little one. Packed with carefully selected items that both the baby and parents will adore, this gift box is a bundle of joy in itself. Whether it’s for a baby shower, a new arrival, or just to show your love, our Baby Gift Box is filled with essential and delightful surprises that will make everyone smile.

  43. BabyBoxShop said:

    Shower gifts are perfect for celebrating baby showers—a joyous occasion filled with excitement and anticipation. Discover thoughtful gifts that convey your best wishes to expecting parents.

  44. Vallee Real Estate said:

    Explore the historic charm and contemporary opportunities of real estate in New Westminster. From heritage homes along tree-lined streets to modern developments by the waterfront, this city offers a wide range of housing options. Find your ideal property and become a part of New Westminster’s vibrant community.

  45. TipTop Enrichtung said:

    A friseurstuhl is a specially designed chair that offers comfort and support to clients during a hair salon visit. These chairs are often adjustable in height and have a recline feature for ease of operation.. Explore our collection of stylish and comfortable barber chairs to provide the best experience for your customers.

  46. mosquito said:

    Explore WBM premium range of mosquito-killer products to ensure effective protection. Our collection includes mosquito killer lamps, powerful mosquito repellents, and dependable insect killer rackets, providing a comprehensive array of solutions.

  47. Pink Salt said:

    Himalayan Pink Salt is a staple in many Asian and Mediterranean cuisines. Examine particular dishes and recipes where their special qualities come through.

  48. We Sell Stocks said:

    Discover unparalleled precision with our range of Global weighing products , available at We Sell Stocks. From industrial scales to precision instruments, we offer top-tier solutions for businesses worldwide. Unlocking avenues for enterprises to liquidate inventory, while empowering savvy buyers to seize unbeatable bargains on expansive stock lots.

Leave a Reply