Prev Page Next Page Paper Top Home Page

1.4 - Conclusions

With webzines, the publishing industry is exploring a new medium. The first webzine publishers are pioneers in uncharted territory, attempting to adapt "maps" and business models from the world of print publishing to a brand new marketplace.

In its present state the new medium of the Internet is more suited to the delivery of services than the delivery of products. (5) For this reason, a services marketing approach is one which is most likely to be of use to Internet publishers. Magazine and newspaper publishing, two of the more service-oriented segments of the publishing industry, have proven to be the best models for webzines to adopt for themselves.

Restricted by the technology, webzine publishers have been forced to adapt their business models even further. Unable to generate revenues through subscriptions or newsstand sales, they have found advertising and sponsorship to be the only traditional revenue streams available to them. Shaped by these conditions, webzines have become the controlled circulation publications of the Internet.


Footnote 5:
Christopher Lovelock's book Services Marketing notes that "a service is a deed or performance rather than a tangible item" (Lovelock, 1991:8). (back)


Prev Page Next Page Paper Top Home Page
M. Pub Project Report. Copyright December, 1995 Michael Hayward