[Ben Brooks][bb] wrote a [fantastic article][bbart] about free content and the expectations that were set eons (at least in web terms) ago about content being free.

I am already a [member][mem] of [Shawn Blanc’s][sb] site. I pay $3/month so he can write full time, and I’m happy to do it. Paying for his content at $3/month is a steal. I even bought the shirt he put out last year.

Would I support Ben if he offered a membership? Most likely. I enjoy much of what he writes. I don’t always agree with him, which makes me rethink my position on items. It’s worth my time to have his site in my list of feeds to read.

I’d love to make some $$ (outside of the WordPress Consulting work I get) from the site. I put up Amazon links, and AppStore (neither produces much cash at all) links hoping that there are a few clicks and I make something. I’m thinking about putting up an ad in the sidebar (only 1 or 2) through [Buy Sell Ads][bsa] in hopes of covering some of the costs. I’ve thought about trying out a Membership, once traffic is high enough to support it.

Just like any other writer, it takes me time to write. I do it because I love it, I’m interested it what I write about. At some point I have a family to feed and I need to keep a roof over their heads. At the end of the day those two items are more important than writing so if it ever turns out I need to stop writing to take care of the family, I’m doing it.

[bsa]: http://buysellads.com/ “Buy Sell Ads”
[mem]: http://shawnblanc.net/members/ “Shawn Blanc – Become a Member”
[sb]: http://shawnblanc.net/ “Shawn Blanc”
[bb]: http://brooksreview.net/ “The Brooks Review”
[bbart]: http://brooksreview.net/2012/05/greed-free-and-change/ “Greed Free and Charge”