A lot of people – some, quite frankly, in anger – ask why WRALTechWire began charging readers for access to selected content earlier this year.

Listed below are just 12 reasons – all from one event this week, the CED Tech Venture conference in Raleigh:

  • Triangle food, nutrition startups aim to whet investor appetitesTech startups from education software to shoe makers pitch investors
  • Leaks: Republic Wireless picks Motorola X for new phone
  • Capitol exec to entrepreneurs: ‘Progress requires not just thought, but action’
  • Tech Venture event showcases Triangle’s possible next wave of IPOs
  • Gov. McCrory touts low taxes, education as pillars of keeping N.C. businesses competitive
  • Upstart Republic Wireless targets wireless carriers with new phone, services
  • How does my startup get acquired? Google, Citrix, Red Hat execs offer tips at Tech Venture conference
  • Noro-Moseley closes on $47M in new venture fund
  • Startup showtime: NC IDEA touts its stars to angels, other investors
  • ‘Great to be back:’ CED’s top executive returns from sabbatical
  • Startups at Tech Venture event seek $24M – and that was just opening day
  • Inside CED’s Tech Venture: Life science startups reflect wide range of innovation

Within those stories, some 60 companies received coverage, from their products and services to the amount of funding they are seeking (if they chose to disclose the amounts). And there will be additional coverage of several presenting firms coming in the near future.

From before the event even began until the final wrap, the CED’s Tech Venture conference received in-depth coverage – far more than WRALTechWire has ever before been able to dedicate to one such event. Three writers at the event pounded out copy fro Monday night’s NC IDEA kickoff event to Wednesday’s closing presentations. 

How?

Because by committing to be a “news site” rather than an “event company,” WRALTechWire is focused on bringing news, information and analysis – quite often it’s exclusive and most of the time it’s first – that is of interest to the technology and life science communities in the Triangle as well as across North Carolina.

Paying the Bills

Subscriptions help pay for that content.

By the way, not all the stories listed were for subscribers only. A contribution from CED President Joan Siefert Rose is a sample of content partnerships that WRALTechWire has with a number of organizations to provide a broader footprint of information and opinion. Plus, coverage of Republic’s new phone (Republic was a presenter at the event) was made available at both WRALTechWire and WRAL.com because the story has appeal to many consumers.

The coverage being provided over the past several months would not have been possible without the commitment management within Capitol Broadcasting – WRALTechWire’s parent – has made to provide coverage of firms from the newest startups to the global giants that either call the Triangle home or have major operations here.

In May, for example, WRALTechWire also published an extensive series about the remarkable rebirth of Durham as a technology hub, especially for startups.

The bottom line is this: Week after week, month after month, year after year, WRALTechWire strives to provide the best breaking, in-depth and expert analysis for our growing audience than can be found in any other publication. That’s our commitment and has been since launch in January 2002 under the name Local Tech Wire.

But to provide this coverage is not a cheap process.

News is the product we sell, just as entrepreneurs create products to sell in hopes of becoming profitable and successful.

More Benefits

We knew this change would not be easy. So on creating our subscription model, WRALTechWire developed a different strategy than most. We sought partners who could provide tangible perks to our Insiders that far exceed the cost of a subscription.

These discounts and special offers add up to several hundred dollars.

WRALTechWire is also in the process of adding more partners which will provide additional perks.

Here are the current benefits:

  • Independent news, interviews, corporate executive and business profiles each and every business day
  • Expert opinion and commentary from some of the very best local thought leaders
  • The most in-depth coverage of technology and life sciences anywhere in North Carolina.
  • Access to WRAL TechWire’s extensive online archive of more than 23,000 stories dating back to 2002.
  • 20% off registration for ALL events in the Entrepreneur’s Series ($100 value)
  • $20 off registration fee for ALL events sponsored by the North Carolina Healthcare Information & Communication Alliance (NCHICA) ($100 value)
  • 50% off American Underground co-working, just $99/month for 3 months with a 6-month minimum contract ($300)
  • $20 off registration fee for these North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) events ($200 value)
  • State of Technology (April 25)
  • NCTA 21 Awards (November 7)
  • Emerging Tech & Trends (August 21 and December 11 in the Triangle; March 21, July 18, and November 13 in Charlotte, and May 23 and October 2 in the Triad)
  • Free admission to a CED members-only networking event, plus receive the member rate on one education event, workshop, or program excluding conferences ($200 value)

So, yes we do now charge for some content – $50 per year. But those who choose to subscribe can enjoy quite a return on that investment – maybe 10 times the initial cost of not more in benefits – plus news stories, features and analysis that in most cases you as a reader simply won’t find anywhere else. 

Visit the member center today for more information. I hope you will choose to subscribe.

Feedback is always welcome – contact me directly (rsmith@wral.com).