This paper discusses the factors that will influence a publisher's choice of cost‐effective electronic and media delivery techniques while allowing growth potential that serves the needs of end‐users. The paper describes the use of diskettes, Bernoulli removable cartridge disks, CD‐ROMs, modems using dial‐up phone lines, leased phone lines, satellites, and FM subcarriers. Sample data sizings evaluated include spreadsheet and word processing application programs, catalog distribution, CAD and accounting data files, online databases, news and financial information, and database updates. The economics of each delivery technique are given as well as the advantages and disadvantages.