Ask HN: Would you monetize a tech news site like Hacker News
Traditional ad revenue isn’t efficient. If you were to start a tech news site around a specific subject, what would be your revenue model to make it sustainable? HN's model is to drive YC brand recognition and make it easier for YC companies to hire. It's free to us and, sure enough, we are the product: a huge audience of tech workers. Assuming at least one YC company lowers its burn rate thanks to HN, survives when it otherwise wouldn't, and has a big exit, HN's value could be measured in millions or billions. You may be interested in the The Information, which launched by charging a super high subscription fee (something like $50/mo) and is apparently doing well. One-time $5 per user account charge. Keeps out the spammers! Start a VC firm?