A 'subscription' here is as simple as purchasing Hive and powering up right now then using that to support the content and people you enjoy. Except unlike traditional subscription models, one can have their money back at any time if they decide to cash out, plus they'd have earned rewards on top of that.
For the life of me, I can't figure out why I'm so alone when pointing out that is a far better deal than the traditional subscription method. It's a good deal to the consumer and even those who aren't on the receiving end of upvotes benefit, provided enough demand for the token is created with this realization.
Why should a consumer 'tip'? That's throwing money away. Again, all the consumer has to do is make a one time token purchase, and then tip their favorite content and people, for life. When the consumer is done, they get they're 'tips' back. Again, I can't figure out why people can't see how that's a far better deal to the consumer. Even those who are no recipients of tips using this NEW model we have here benefit from consumers purchasing tokens to upvote, rather than subscribe or tip.
Do people want to create demand for the token or do they not want to create demand for the token? It all boils down to marketing. The consumer only understand "Pay money, get entertained." They throw their money away to the tune of billions annually. Whereas here on Hive, the consumers money stays with the community, increases the value of the community, and they get their money back if and when they want it, provided other content consumers are still buying in in this fashion and creating demand for the token.
Of course, without quality, there's nothing here for the consumer to purchase. Behind the scenes they're purchasing a token, but the reality on the surface is they're purchasing information or entertainment of their choosing, with the option to have their money back, plus be rewarded or "paid to be entertained" along the way.
Registering yet? LOL.
Hive is great to use for subscriptions and so is delegationing hive. We already have a few examples.
However with SMT it will be branded and models can set their own rate (I suspect most will ignorantly go with free fall inflation that would make Chavez smile from the grave).
We actually have a house renting model like this in Korea called Jeonse. I put a deposit on my apartment worth 50~80% of the market value and live there rent free. I get it back when I move out. Koreans understood steem well, I doubt it is a coincidence.
Tipping is a good model too. For example in North America people are obsessed with tipping culture. It works great when you dont want any commitment. Services need to anonymize it. This is good for vice services.
Ultimately I think hive needs to use a combination of all these models. Some businesses can choose one or another and others can choose them all.
You are right that the deposit aspect makes it risk free, especially if HBD was actually pegged, however I suspect SMTs again could introduce a real peg like usdt (sure there are issues, but they are still around right?). The issue now is hive has a crazy value, so the question is what will it be worth when someone gives up? A real peg will solve that issue.
When I've looked into how online game companies and other online companies work, I've noticed something about the successful global ones. Try changing the country, language, etc by vpn or just selection. Localization is huge. Most business on Steem with miney just focus on English speaking North American and European culutres. The chinese live micropayments, the westerners love subscriptions. Discount tokens when purchased in bulk are a type of subscription model.
I think I need to find a new way of explaining my vision.
Probably. I'm understand something and it's huge and beautiful, but I don't think it is your vision.