subscriptions

Microsoft unequivocally announced they might go into the music subscription service. The definitive statement from the soft leviathan chased down the stock prices for other companies already in the subscription music business like Yahoo and Real.

While waiting for someone to show up to a meeting, a few of us were chatting about music. Greg was playing a selection from his "music that'd scare you about the rest of my music collection" (or something like that).

A call to action such as "call now," "order now," and "click here" can dramatically increase your sales. Motivate readers to do what you want them to do with action verbs. Give precise instructions. Tell them exactly what to do. Give them a direct order. Add an incentive or benefit to your order.

If you're a writer, researcher, subject matter expert, enthusiastic hobbyist, or an authority on almost any topic, there has never been a better time to start your own subscription website or online newsletter. And if you're already publishing a hobby website, now is the ideal time to convert at least a portion of the content to fee-paid access.

Rule number one. Basic human nature never changes. Keep that in mind.