Episodios

  • Scaling Local: A Publisher’s 104% Subscription Playbook
    Jul 29 2025

    In this episode, Pete and Tyler discuss the success of a local news publisher who has implemented a new subscription model through the Paywall Project. This episode covers the publisher's initial challenges, the transition to a more effective paywall strategy, and the significant growth in email list and revenue.

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    29 m
  • Cloudflare’s Pay-Per-Crawl: Sustainable Income or Just Spare Change?
    Jul 15 2025

    In this episode, Pete and Tyler explore Cloudflare's new product aimed at managing AI crawlers on publisher websites. They discuss the potential impact on publishers, the viability of microtransactions, and the comparison of content monetization strategies to subscription models like Netflix. They also touch on the evolving strategies of publishers in response to AI technology and the importance of innovative ideas for content access.

    Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PaywallPodcast
    Learn more about paywall strategies: https://leakypaywall.com/

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    8 m
  • The Truth About Paywall Evasion, AI, Google, and Passwords
    Jul 1 2025

    In this episode, Pete and Tyler discuss the complexities of paywalls in digital publishing, focusing on the challenges of paywall evasion through AI, Google indexing, and password sharing. They explore the differences between metered and hard paywalls, emphasizing the importance of building an email list and managing subscriber access. The conversation highlights strategies for content protection while maintaining user engagement and discusses the implications of password sharing in subscription models.

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    22 m
  • Copy Clarity 101: Turning Scanners into Subscribers
    Jun 17 2025

    In this episode, Pete and Tyler discuss the significant impact of a single word on boosting publisher registrations and the importance of simplifying marketing touchpoints. They explore the effectiveness of free registrations, crafting clear messaging, and the role of welcome emails in engaging new subscribers. The conversation also covers optimizing subscription pages and the critical function of newsletters in driving conversions, emphasizing the need for automation to maintain consistent communication with audiences.

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    29 m
  • Revenue Roadblocks: How the Little Things on Your Website Cost You Big
    Jun 3 2025

    In this episode, Pete and Tyler discuss various friction points on websites that hinder revenue generation for publishers. They explore issues such as ad blockers, CAPTCHA effectiveness, checkout processes, content protection methods, and the balance between advertising and user experience. They also emphasize the importance of optimizing user engagement to enhance subscription conversions and overall revenue.


    Takeaways:

    • Your website is letting you down if it's not optimized for user experience.
    • Ad blockers can significantly impact your revenue if not managed properly.
    • CAPTCHA systems can deter potential subscribers if they're too aggressive.
    • Streamlining the checkout process is crucial for digital subscriptions.
    • Asking for too much information during signup can hurt conversion rates.
    • Content protection methods like disabling right-click are often ineffective.
    • Balancing ads with user experience is essential for retaining subscribers.
    • Nurturing your audience through email engagement can drive traffic back to your site.
    • Fewer free articles can lead to higher registration rates.
    • Your content should be leveraged to require email signups for access.

    Learn more about Leaky Paywall, the most flexible subscription platform for news and magazine publishers.

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    30 m
  • From Donations to Subscriptions: How KB Independent Built a Sustainable Local News Model
    May 20 2025

    In this episode of the Paywall Podcast, brought to you by Leaky Paywall, Pete and Tyler explore the journey of KB Independent, a nonprofit news outlet in Florida, as it transitions from a donation-only model to a hybrid approach incorporating free registrations, memberships, and paid subscriptions. They delve into innovative strategies like introducing friction through limited free access to encourage paid memberships, the significance of building an email list for direct marketing, and how offering a mix of free and exclusive content can drive audience engagement.

    • (00:00) - Tempo: 120.0
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    21 m
  • How Often Should You Send Your Newsletter?
    May 2 2025

    In this episode of the Paywall Podcast, brought to you by Leaky Paywall, Pete and Tyler discuss the critical importance of email frequency for publishers. They explore various cadences for sending newsletters, emphasizing that many publishers are not sending enough emails to engage their audience effectively. The discussion covers strategies for low-volume publishers, best practices for daily news publishing, and the benefits of automating email newsletters. The conversation concludes with a focus on the importance of opting in for more frequent communication and the advantages of using tools like Newsletter Glue to enhance the publishing process.

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    28 m
  • Your First 100 Paid Subscribers (And What to Expect)
    Apr 18 2025

    In this episode of the Paywall Podcast, sponsored by Leaky Paywall, Pete and Tyler discuss the strategies for news and magazine publishers to set up effective paywalls and subscription models. The discussion presents insights on how to leverage data from digital and print subscriptions to optimize paywall systems. Emphasizing the importance of starting with free registration, they suggest giving away one article for free and requiring an email registration for subsequent articles to build a newsletter list.

    It is recommended offering trial periods based on time instead of deeply discounted rates, preserving the perceived value of content. Pricing advice includes starting at a minimum of $5 per month and gradually increasing it. Additionally, the discussion touches on the importance of using open-source platforms like WordPress for greater control and scalability.

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    27 m