"Free news here! Get your free news."

The New York Times announced earlier this week that they would no longer charge for full access to their website. Many have called this the death of paid content on the web. "If the New York Times can't make a pay-for-access model work, it can't be done" goes the line of thinking.

I think it's more a matter of the type of content. News has become commoditized. Many print newspapers have become free at the newstand. It's hard to charge for a product similar in every way to free ones available from CNN, WashingtonPost.com, FoxNews, etc. It's no coincidence that there aren't "premium" news channels" on your cable or satellite service.

But in my opinion, this does not signal the death of pay-for-content on the web. Plenty of sites thrive now with this model by providing content not easily obtained elsewhere. Sports sites give you more or "inside access" to certain information for a fee. Niche sites dealing with particular topics can do well.

The question you have to ask is "Do you have a unique and compelling content offering?" If so, people may be willing to pay for it.