Gift Guide #7: Gifts That Keep on Giving

a.k.a. subscriptions are best when you didn't pay for them.

I first learned the subscription model could be tricky when I worked for a slick music startup built on the idea that people would pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to music. I know, I know, that sounds like an easy sell now. But 12 years ago – not so much. Subscribing to a magazine wasn’t such a tough sell, but convincing people to fork over $9 a month for an invisible streaming product took a bit of effort.

Because people tended to forget about subscriptions—particularly the invisible ones—this business model was branded a potential goldmine if you played your cards right. And so, the tech industry pressed on in the direction of a life dominated by subscriptions.

I think we’ve arrived at a life dominated by subscriptions.

Today, we are bombarded by requests to subscribe, subscribe, subscribe! I’ve learned the best subscriptions are the ones you don’t pay for. Empowered by that knowledge, may I present to you a list of subscriptions that will make for an excellent holiday gift.

Asid…