I currently subscribe to two other sites. They both offer content I can't get elsewhere. One is already ad-free, the other provides ad-free browsing to paid subscribers. Neither has any pay-walled content.Here are some ideas we’ve batted around. We’d love to know which of these would be valuable to you and what other benefits you’d want to see:
- Exclusive stories with more of an insider / industry focus
- Special newsletters with exclusive content
- Ad-free or ad-limited experience
- Exclusive coupon codes and discounts
- Percentage cash back (like Rakuten) on products clicked from our site
- Special placement / flair for article comments
- TH Merch (hat, t-shirt)
What else would you like to see and, among the exclusive content, what topics do you like best?
I know I'd subscribe, if I got access to a special forum of IT professionals (who actually knew what they were talking about) that could give real-time advice on various tech problems I might encounter. The users are great, don't get me wrong, but you don't always get 100% accurate advice (or it takes a while to weed through the various suggestions until you land on the right one that works). If I had a way to cut through all that and get my issue solved right away, I'd gladly pay for that!
Oh, tell me more sweet nothings, ChatGPT!Introducing a subscription service for Tom's Hardware could provide an enhanced user experience. Subscribers might access exclusive in-depth articles, early product reviews, and personalized tech recommendations. This model could foster deeper engagement and support the platform's quality content while maintaining a free tier for wider accessibility. Feedback from the community would be vital in shaping such an offering.
I agree, as I am a casual reader of articles that pique my interest, I cannot justify yet another subscription.The least offensive/invasive/problematic method of monetization I can think of is something which does not reduce/hides the content (articles, reviews, news, forum/Discord access, etc) and only operates at a cosmetic level (forum badge, special portrait frame, larger signature space, maybe early access to some niche content, special forum/Discord area, etc) so your exposure as a site is not reduced to the point of annoyance for your casual reader. Remember we all start as students learning about sites and get involved from that point and then we become nasty buggers that never leave
The rest would be adding merchandise and other 3rd party things which are separate from the main site operations: mugs, iRL badges and stickers (I have some from a few years back you guys sent me!) for your PC. Small things that would be welcome by many and could be simple gifts, I think. Bigger types of merchandise could be a bigger risk, so I would suggest starting small if you go this route, I guess.
Other than those core 2 ideas, making your YouTube presence stronger. Jarred has been trying his best, for sure, but I have to say it feels/looks like he's been trying without much backing from the main Corporate branch? If that makes any semblance of sense? Fund a proper studio or help them arrange a working space for a proper studio would be a great idea? I dunno. Point is to make the online viewership all-around stronger and, like or not, YT is a very strong exposition place for you guys, so totally worth investing there in a serious manner. And no, making the YT presence better does not mean written space will be weaker: you need to strike a balance you're comfortable with and I think Jarred was on the right track.
I hope this helps.
Regards.
only thing that might motivate me to subscribe to a group site like Tom's where most input seems to come from other members, not usually a paid staff, would be offering in-house techs to come out and personally offer diagnostics & repair of systems. since location & travel would normally prevent this then there really is nothing to be paying for.We’d love to know what types of benefits you’d like to see that might motivate you to subscribe.