Kevin Kelly, in his 1999 book New Rules of the New Economy, told us that many of those things that we were used to paying for would move closer and closer to being free. We have all of us witnessed the truth of this prediction. It began with free browsers; then free software, and now free ebooks, reports, newsletters, webinars – even university classes from prestigious schools such as MIT.
There is more free content of real value on the Web today than there has ever been. If you’re not convinced, then pick your favourite two, three, or four words, and just to make it harder for Google, enclose those words in quotation marks or inverted commas. In most cases you will still get millions of possible pages to visit.
Joel Comm refers to this phenomenon as “moving the free line.” By that he means that as the most competent improve their online information products, the inherent value of their older ideas decrease in perceived value. As a result, older information products are then sold at a much lower cost, or given away for free. This ongoing process forces the mediocre out of the market, and it’s also why creating only the very best for your customers and potential customers is so important.
Lest you think that you have a competitive advantage, a corner on the greatest ideas, or the best talent, you cannot ever let your guard down. Buyers in the market are smarter and more saavy than ever, and only a fool would take them for granted.
Bruce Hoag, PhD, CPsychol
Work Psychologist
http://www.p-advantage.com
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Tags: free line, Joel Comm, Kevin Kelly
great post as usual!