Good, the magazine that launched in 2006 with a questionable business model ($20 for six issues, and all proceeds go to a charity of your choosing) just announced a new, similarly unusual plan -- pay what you want (but at least a buck).
Ben Goldhirsh, multi-millionaire son of the Inc. Magazine founder, Bernie Goldhirsh, launched the self-funded magazine two years ago, hoping to bring social issues to a younger generation as an alternative to The New Yorker and The Economist.
Along with a staff of his close, prep-school peers, he even enlisted the star-power of Al Gore III, son of the former VP.
Their latest marketing scheme asks wannabe subscribers to pay at least $1, more if they want to.
“We feel that the content is the invitation into this community and we didn’t want to make the invitation too expensive.” the magazine states in its blog. “We thought about what we like and respect, and we decided that what Radiohead did meshed with where our heads are at.”
Good’s unusual business strategies got them quite a bit of press initially, including a feature in the New York Times, so this latest tactic should at least give them more of that, if not more readers. They say they plan on reporting back on the success of the offer later in October.
Paste magazine offered a similar deal last fall, letting readers choose their subscription price for a year, and they still push the gimmick at music festivals.
Photo: Good Magazine
