Use Licenses

[Elizabeth Ann West]

I'm noticing a new trend in use licenses that I wanted to see if others are seeing too. I rarely used use licenses, because I just always thought most articles won't sell multiple times, and I can get more bang from full rights.

Well, I am happy to be wrong, though it does appear to depend on the subject matter. The last month I have had 3 articles sell for use licenses more than once. One was a seasonal piece that I will likely see sales on every year at this time, another on SEO, and one more on finances. One is a 500 word piece that has sold 3 times for $10 each, the others were longer pieces over 1,000 words that have sold for $30 and $45 for use twice. Plus, I have them up on other places to get pay-per-views.

It just seems like in this economy there is a new niche of buyers out there willing to pay $30-$50 for use of a well-written article on a hot topic. It's not something I am used to seeing, so I thought I would put it out there in case other authors can get some success with use licensing for their articles. :)

Always Smiling,
Elizabeth

[Amy W]

I've had two articles sell twice for usage - both on technology (HDTV and MP3 players). I think if you're writing about a popular topic, then it could be worth attracting the usage buyers. Although I think if the economy were roaring right now, these buyers would be purchasing full rights licenses.

[HayleyWriter]

It's an interesting trend. I've noticed sales seem to be slack this month generally - often the recently sold list does not change from day to day, or only a few articles are being purchased, and often for usage licences. I have sold a few for full rights this month though, mostly for requests, but I've also sold some usage licences, mostly for romance topics. It is definitely worth marketing (pricing the articles) to attract the usage on popular topics that are likely to resell again. Those smaller sales do add up!

Hayley

[BarryDavidson]

It's coming up on that April 15 deadline for taxes. A lot of resources are going to be poured into that, so the budgets for some of our customers are liable to be quite low. We also have to consider that spring is just around the corner. Many potential readers will be getting out for the first time in months. After a few weeks, they'll be right back at their computers reading away. At least that's been my experience.