Multiple streams of income

That phrase was used last week at a conference that was unrelated to digitization. However, I wonder if that phrase should be considered by digital libraries and digitization programs? We often think about funding an initiative (in the beginning) with grants and in-kind contributions. Later, we look to the budget, and perhaps other sources, to keep a program going. But what if we thought about multiple streams of income up front when planning a digitization program or digital library?

Income?! Yes, somehow the program must pay for itself, especially after the initial funding goes away. How about we think in terms of income. How will this program generate income? How will it generate enough income to cover its costs, if not more? Could you:

• Sell content?
• Create a subscription service that provides something additional that users would pay for?
• Use what you learned to create workshops to teach others?
• Create a book (or e-book) based on the content and sell that?

None of those? Is there something else you could do to generate income from your programs? Take time over your morning coffee to ponder that and let me know what you come up with!