Business and Independence can be a tricky balancing act, for sure, Wade.
Even harder is maintaining your independence in the public eye.
As you've clearly shown though, people will pay for an open, honest and transparent source of information. Something I take inspiration from as I build Bike Matrix.
As an old bloke that has rediscovered the joy of cycling in recent years, having a reliable source of information is crucial to me. The work that you, Caley & the team have done is fantastic. EC’s broad coverage of all aspects of cycling & the depth does enormous credit to you all. Independence from the pressures of commercialism certainly adds to my trust in your work.
Thanks Wade. Explaining why and how seem to be key cornerstones of the 'new ( new, new) " media. I love what you and the EC team are doing, and that you are open to learning and changing and being wrong.
I only hope that in due course you can find a way to merge with others who have the same values and model so that we get more sharing going on. The one issue I currently have with the model is that I want a curated experience across the cycling road and cycling tech and cycling racing category, but I can't afford to support everyone who would have been in an old media publication.
I'm hoping for a future where you come together (aggregate) without an external force aggregating you. I'm looking for United Artists, not Apple news... Hope that makes sense.
Thanks Bradley, that's an interesting point and one we've thought a lot about as we grow. We're essentially a bundle offer (i.e. many writers, podcasters and services, many of you may not connect with) and there's a feeling of paying for something you're not getting value from. It's something we need to figure out. I don't think unbundling everything is the answer (you'll just end up paying more), but some sort of curated feed might be part of the solution.
Thanks Wade. Yes, for everyone who wants aggregation you have someone who doesn't want to pay for what they don't value... Otherwise thought of as the wide or deep issue... that is a challenge for all media offerings, and I don't think there is ever going to be a short answer to that. I know you know the viewing numbers behind all your content, so I'm sure that will continue to guide you in the right direction for your existing audience. Crossover is hard, and maybe in this new world it is an illusion. It'll be interesting to review this in another year to see how things have developed. Just keep up the good work and if there is anything this audience can do to help you with research - Please do ask.
Received your Member email today. Questions: Why don't you disclose brand XXX in question? How would they even have the impression of having a "partnership" with escape?
Are you aware that your posting/email raises more questions than it answers?
It was an honest mistake and the point of this post isn’t to name and shame anybody. It was just a timely anecdote about why our independence matters.
I figured you'd be more interested in the unnamed brand who frequently tried to strongarm us at CyclingTips! (it wouldn't accomplish anything by mentioning them either)
And Integrity goes along with that too!
Business and Independence can be a tricky balancing act, for sure, Wade.
Even harder is maintaining your independence in the public eye.
As you've clearly shown though, people will pay for an open, honest and transparent source of information. Something I take inspiration from as I build Bike Matrix.
Stick to your plan. It's a good one!
Regards,
Adam
LOL. Off I go to see what Bike Matrix is… 😉
Thank you for enabling me to enjoy media without fear of "who paid who?"
Sadly most people don't seem to care. Fortunately enough do.
May the numbers of those who do care continue to grow and become a ground swelling avalanche.
As an old bloke that has rediscovered the joy of cycling in recent years, having a reliable source of information is crucial to me. The work that you, Caley & the team have done is fantastic. EC’s broad coverage of all aspects of cycling & the depth does enormous credit to you all. Independence from the pressures of commercialism certainly adds to my trust in your work.
Where is cycling content?
head over to www.escapecollective.com
Thanks
Proud EC member here from when you first launched. Thanks to you and your team for doing what you do!
Thanks Wade. Explaining why and how seem to be key cornerstones of the 'new ( new, new) " media. I love what you and the EC team are doing, and that you are open to learning and changing and being wrong.
I only hope that in due course you can find a way to merge with others who have the same values and model so that we get more sharing going on. The one issue I currently have with the model is that I want a curated experience across the cycling road and cycling tech and cycling racing category, but I can't afford to support everyone who would have been in an old media publication.
I'm hoping for a future where you come together (aggregate) without an external force aggregating you. I'm looking for United Artists, not Apple news... Hope that makes sense.
Thanks Bradley, that's an interesting point and one we've thought a lot about as we grow. We're essentially a bundle offer (i.e. many writers, podcasters and services, many of you may not connect with) and there's a feeling of paying for something you're not getting value from. It's something we need to figure out. I don't think unbundling everything is the answer (you'll just end up paying more), but some sort of curated feed might be part of the solution.
Thanks Wade. Yes, for everyone who wants aggregation you have someone who doesn't want to pay for what they don't value... Otherwise thought of as the wide or deep issue... that is a challenge for all media offerings, and I don't think there is ever going to be a short answer to that. I know you know the viewing numbers behind all your content, so I'm sure that will continue to guide you in the right direction for your existing audience. Crossover is hard, and maybe in this new world it is an illusion. It'll be interesting to review this in another year to see how things have developed. Just keep up the good work and if there is anything this audience can do to help you with research - Please do ask.
Received your Member email today. Questions: Why don't you disclose brand XXX in question? How would they even have the impression of having a "partnership" with escape?
Are you aware that your posting/email raises more questions than it answers?
It was an honest mistake and the point of this post isn’t to name and shame anybody. It was just a timely anecdote about why our independence matters.
I figured you'd be more interested in the unnamed brand who frequently tried to strongarm us at CyclingTips! (it wouldn't accomplish anything by mentioning them either)