While it is good to see the Herald Sun digital pass offers all include a home delivery component, except one, I am disappointed that they continue to let down their loyal over the counter customers. We newsagents see the same people day in day out purchasing the same newspaper. Publishers ignore these people and instead chase the far more expensive home delivery route.
They are fools for missing these loyal retail customers.
As I noted yesterday, I don’t see any content at the herald Sun website or through the App which I would be prepared to pay for. I don’t want to pay to be told what to think.
I will pay for genuinely independent and professional journalism.
I emailed the Herald Sun to enquire as to why buyers of the paper in some cases get partial stories and are told to “go online to read the full story” and have to pay again to read it.
I was told in no uncertain terms to get used to it as all newspapers will be doing exactly that soon.
Its clear to me that they are trying to force their readers behind the paywall rather than give them a choice.
Newspaper pay walls can work if the content is of significant value. For example some science or business journals have done this. But the Herald Sun! Very little value in the small paper.
I’m guessing they believe because people are paying for the paper now, the same people will pay for the online version. Seems like they don’t know their customers very well and I bet NewsLtd will be in for a big surprise.
Something else I thought of is how will they handle their collections/promotions for the online customers? Probably print out a unique coupon, give to your newsagent, who will have to process it seperately, without compensation. Just a positive prediction 🙂
Well it is clear to me that HWT are ditching home delivery with encouragement for customers to go on line.
A friend of mine posted a comment on her FB page..
“who else thinks the heraldsun on line is now crap…”
Steve you make an interesting point. The offer presents shoppers with an opportunity, indeed invitation, t consider an alternative to print which hitherto may not have been on their radar. This opportunity cold guide shoppers to think of why they purchase the print product … in the same way a hoarder has to face their habits and question their actions maybe.
I agree with Steven (above), give those who sell newspapers coupons for 24-hour digital passes so they can hand over to customers who purchase the paper in person. For newspapers purchased from boxes, just add this coupon inside.
Seems practical to me.
Question – what is stopping from a group of people purchase one digital pass and sharing the username and password?
Steven “Something else I thought of is how will they handle their collections/promotions for the online customers? Probably print out a unique coupon, give to your newsagent, who will have to process it seperately, without compensation. Just a positive prediction ”
Not this little black duck. The day that happens I’ll become a Magazine Agent instead of a Newsagent, in fact that,s a pretty attractive option right now.
As far as I’m concerned the Herald Sun can shove it, we don’t need them, they only have bad news anyway