Looking for Talented Writers, Editors & Geeks - Page 4 - Writers Forum

Pete_C · 04-25-2008, 07:16 AM

With regard to funding, initially the revenue would come from corporate sponsorship. I have three or four solid ideas (a PM is on its way, as I think they should be kept off the board at present - nothing like killing interest when a potential revenue stream discovers they've been openly discussed) that could front the money for an initial 12 or 24 months. This should cover production costs, marketing and some distribution costs. We're not talking a whole hill of beans financially. What will be important will be what the sponsor also gives, with regard to support and services. (They also need to add to the credibility of the project).

Initially, the participants and contributors would not be paid in cash. I've made a note in the PM about this. Again it might be better not disclosed how they would be paid until the issue of legal liability of it is considered.

On a point about the multi-media comment; we may well be at cross purposes. Substitute the phrase multi-format and you might be a bit closer. Again, I've explained more in the PM.

smilinghelps · 04-25-2008, 08:05 AM

Pete,

I'm all for it. I think you're right, you never know if you don't try. You can't succeed or fail if you don't take that first step. I personally don't see what we have to lose but we have so much to gain!

Non Serviam · 04-25-2008, 08:27 AM

We need to be thinking about marketing before anyone spends any money.

Pete_C · 04-25-2008, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Non Serviam

We need to be thinking about marketing before anyone spends any money.

I think the marketing plan, targeting and positioning of the product need to be nailed down solid before we even approach anyone for funding, let alone spend anything!

ash somers · 04-25-2008, 09:43 AM

i'll be the odd man out, sorry pete
i prefer the original creative model
over a calculated business venture
my intuition doth scream to K.I.S.S.

as for me personally
i will happily submit poetry in the name of art
i will not submit a single werd to a project driven by the dollar

BOURBON · 04-25-2008, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ash somers

i will happily submit poetry in the name of art
i will not submit a single werd to a project driven by the dollar

Ah bless, that's so sweet and pure.

Think I'll pass too, but for no ethical reason. It's just that I'm way too far up my own ass with this 'ere novel.
Good luck though.
I'll buy a copy.

B

Ilasir Maroa · 04-25-2008, 12:47 PM

wow, this exploded quickly... corporate sponsorship? I think I prefer the original idea, lesser product or not, money-making or not. I get that it would probably end up like you say, Pete, read by members and a few of their friends, with maybe an outsider or two, but I think we're getting just the slightest bit ambitious making this a business proposition. Not that I see anything wrong with making some money, but I'm leaning towards ash's position, and the forum-member friendly version of the plan that seemed to be shown by Mike's original idea.

Mike C · 04-25-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ash somers

i will not submit a single werd to a project driven by the dollar

So you refuse, ever, to be published for money?

Mike C · 04-25-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete_C

I think the marketing plan, targeting and positioning of the product need to be nailed down solid before we even approach anyone for funding, let alone spend anything!

True, without a solid plan we'll be laughed out of town.

lin · 04-25-2008, 06:19 PM

Maybe she just insists on euro-driven projects. The current trend of the dollar is bound to make it unsound for mammon purposes.

omginternetlord · 04-25-2008, 07:26 PM

^lol.

Anyway this whole "business is business" attitude is making me tingle. I love it.

seigfried007 · 04-25-2008, 07:32 PM

Well, would it be possible to just put something together as a .pdf then, think about going all businessy later if the number of times it's downloaded tops a specific number on a regular basis?

I'm not sure if the business thing would be a good idea with money involved juat as yet since, as was stated earlier, it might not pan out for profit well and people might actually lose money. However, if we start out freebie and volunteer, we could gauge how popular it is later and, therefore, if possibly the venture might prove profitable.

Mike C · 04-26-2008, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

Maybe she just insists on euro-driven projects. The current trend of the dollar is bound to make it unsound for mammon purposes.

Most of my clients and business is in the US, the state of the dollar hurts me. But I wish I was over there buying stuff - it's all way cheaper over there than it is here anyway, and now...

ash somers · 04-26-2008, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

So you refuse, ever, to be published for money?

no, i don't remember saying that
i said i will not submit my art werk
to a WF project driven by the dollar

Cran · 04-26-2008, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete_C

I think some feedback is essential before taking this any further, because there are some critical areas here to consider.

1: Let's cut through the bullshit here and make an obvious point. In order to be a success (and by success, I am talking about creating a credible publication which receives the genuine respect of the mainstream publishing sector), this has to be about creating a "product". The contributors can have all the creativity they want; however, the project has to be a cold hard-nosed business venture. It's all about selling the product for real dirty cash. How do people feel about that?

Question - by the genuine respect of the mainstream publishing sector, do you mean pissing them off because we're biting into their territory, or making them hungry enough to want to swallow us (ie, buy up the label)?

I feel fine about being involved in a commercial magazine type of project - been there, earned the paycheck - but sales is not my strong suit ...

Quote:

2: In order to be worthwhile, the publication needs to really showcase the very best out there. That having been said, it also needs to be bold, forward-thinking, innovative and challenging. It needs to make people who think they've read it all sit up and take notice. It will need careful marketing, but it has to deliver what is promised. A bunch of stories and poems isn't going to cut the mustard. This will naturally mean that the editorial position has to be uncompromising. Any thoughts on that?

Perhaps some clarity on uncompromising? I only ask because there is a real risk in perception that uncompromising does not sit well with innovative ...

If you mean uncompromising with respect to material quality/aesthetic appeal, originality, perhaps identifying and maintaining a given theme within a given issue, perhaps with respect to certain legal, moral or idealogical positions, then yes, I can see the need for that ...

Quote:

3: In order to make it work, those involved will need to court some of the major corporations out there. This doesn't mean the project makes any compromise, but it WILL need to appreciate commercial interests and the role they play in making this a success. Now, I accept that some people might cry "sell out", but would you cry the same thing if a multinational publisher offered you a big fat cheque? Business is business; does anyone feel that is unacceptable?

if at any time there are conflicts of interest, they should be announced within a reasonable time;
if a conflict of interest cannot be resolved, the disaffected can choose to withdraw for as long as the disaffection exists ...

Quote:

4: Putting out a bunch of PDFs with some words and pictures is safe. It will work, so long as you accept that working means a few nondescript people, maybe a few friends and relatives and the occasional forum-buddy will download it and read some of it. Trying something different and ambitious is a risk. There is a chance it will succeed. There is a chance it will fail. It could fail spectacularly. However, we won't know unless we try, and we won't succeed unless we try with a positive attitude. Do you think it's worthwhile, or is it a case of biting off more than we can chew?

that depends - do we have to chew with our mouths closed?

if the risk includes a personal financial investment, then I'd favour playing safe first -
see if a realistic quality product can be produced ...
not once ... but again and again ... with consistency ...
and on time ... define your turnarounds and your deadlines ...

Quote:

I'd be interested in some feedback on those few points. Also, please note that this only represents my thoughts. If people disagree, so be it, I don't mind. I don't want to be seen as railroading the thing, so I won't be offended if people think it's a step too far.

well Pete, my background is in writing, proofing, editing ...
with some photojournalism and minor art tossed in ...
my posts are there for anyone to see ...

I'd be more interested in a long term involvement if the project has a plan to grow into an income-generating occupation ... but, I'll put my hand up to help even if it stays an amateur or non-profit venture ...