FreePint - a Goldmine of Information Seven Years On

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FreePint, the 70,000 strong award winning community of information searchers, has published its latest six monthly index of all articles published in the free twice-monthly FreePint Newsletter since 1997:

http://www.freepint.com/issues/04indexa.htm

The new index is available in a choice of formats, including a handy fully-formatted, printable quick reference card of subjects.

In the seven years since FreePint's launch, its expert consultant authors have helped Internet searchers find Web sources on hundreds of subjects. The FreePint Newsletter also publishes information-related jobs, book reviews, events and interviews with key information industry figures.

The index is sub-divided into four sections:

• Subject specific articles that give you expert tips on web sites and online resources on any subject area;
• Searching articles, that help you find information more effectively on the web, and make the most of the latest search engine developments;
• The Webmasters section, that offers you practical tips on usability, design, coding and how to promote your site;
• The general interest section, which lists articles on hot topics such as controlling spam, information overload, privacy and freedom of information.

Goldmine of Information

Chris Sherman, Associate Editor of Search Engine Watch, has called the FreePint Bar - the active discussion area - "a goldmine of highly concentrated, incredibly useful information for searchers" and "an excellent way to observe the methods and thought processes of some of the world's foremost search experts". Membership of the FreePint newsletter continues to grow substantially each month based almost entirely on viral marketing and word of mouth.

FreePint's Editor, Annabel Colley, a former BBC senior broadcast journalist, commissions the newsletter articles from international information professionals working in businesses, the public sector and academia. FreePint's authors are the equivalent of human search engines, experts in their given area.

Testimonials about FreePint from a handful of its readers in over 200 countries include: "One of my top Internet resources - up there with Google"; "a fantastic resource, timely authoritative, readable"; and "a valuable service to the e-world".

Why the Name?

The newsletter's name often puzzles as it has nothing to do with free beer. It was set up by founder and Managing Editor William Hann, initially for the information and library community. 'Pint' was originally inspired by ideas about "People Interested in Net Tips".

Annabel Colley, Editor, says:

"The growth of the Internet means that every business sector now has rich online information demands and need to know how to find fast, accurate information they can trust. Because of this, FreePint has not just weathered the dotcom downturn but has thrived and grown to become the largest community of information searchers, valued throughout the world."

FreePint is now read by IT consultants, trainers, directors of small businesses, journalists, publishers, academics and students in all fields, as well as by information professionals and knowledge managers across the world.

E-zines Part of the Advertising Mix

The newsletter remains free due to advertising revenue. Research shows that ezines are a great way to reach highly targeted niche audiences and advertising space in the newsletter continues to be in demand. Information and Internet related products and services, such as commercial online databases for the business market and recruitment agencies in the information sector, are key advertisers.

Growth and Diversification

In the past year, the FreePint group has diversified into subscription and commercial products, including the launch last year of VIP < http://www.vivavip.com>. VIP is a subscription magazine and news analysis service covering in-depth analysis of business information products. There is comment from senior information people and it is delivered electronically to the information professional market. FreePint also sells virtual training packages and original research reports.

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