Comments on: Freemium for writers is two debates http://loudpoet.com/2009/09/03/freemium-for-writers-is-two-debates/ loudpoet.com: Blogging it like it is since 2003 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:59:45 +0000 hourly 1 By: Mary McFarland http://loudpoet.com/2009/09/03/freemium-for-writers-is-two-debates/comment-page-2/#comment-6824 Mary McFarland Thu, 02 Jun 2011 02:06:33 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3143#comment-6824 When I want to buy a book, I can go on Amazon and get a "free" view of a book's table of contents, index, first few pages, and so forth. Then . . . my "free" peek is over, and I have to make a buy decision. That's a good business model, whether you're a lawyer, dentist, or author. Why do we assume that we have to give away entire novels (ebooks) to get a fan base? Can't we do like Amazon and give excerpts? I think the freemium model implies that writers have no control over their futures, and can make no career plans; thus, we must toss a few free novels (gack!) at the Internet, cross our fingers, and . . . wait for the fans to come--or not. Amazon has a freemium model that works, but I don't see them giving away books, in any medium (I will go back and take another tour just to be sure). 400,000 clicks and "freemium" for Megan Jones' Captive just makes me cringe. They'll take her work, make a mashup, remove her name and all rights, then do what they want. Professionally, I don't see myself adhering 100% wholeheartedly to this imbalanced model. When I want to buy a book, I can go on Amazon and get a “free” view of a book’s table of contents, index, first few pages, and so forth. Then . . . my “free” peek is over, and I have to make a buy decision. That’s a good business model, whether you’re a lawyer, dentist, or author.

Why do we assume that we have to give away entire novels (ebooks) to get a fan base? Can’t we do like Amazon and give excerpts?

I think the freemium model implies that writers have no control over their futures, and can make no career plans; thus, we must toss a few free novels (gack!) at the Internet, cross our fingers, and . . . wait for the fans to come–or not.

Amazon has a freemium model that works, but I don’t see them giving away books, in any medium (I will go back and take another tour just to be sure).

400,000 clicks and “freemium” for Megan Jones’ Captive just makes me cringe. They’ll take her work, make a mashup, remove her name and all rights, then do what they want.

Professionally, I don’t see myself adhering 100% wholeheartedly to this imbalanced model.

]]> By: How Can we Make a Living Outside the Mainstream? « Free-e-day http://loudpoet.com/2009/09/03/freemium-for-writers-is-two-debates/comment-page-2/#comment-2992 How Can we Make a Living Outside the Mainstream? « Free-e-day Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:15:29 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3143#comment-2992 [...] It would be great to have a debate, because debate is good. But most of all, this is a place to brainstorm ideas, to come away thinking “yeah, I’m going to try that”. hosted by Dan Holloway, a founder member of Year Zero Writers, and blogger on this topic. [...] [...] It would be great to have a debate, because debate is good. But most of all, this is a place to brainstorm ideas, to come away thinking “yeah, I’m going to try that”. hosted by Dan Holloway, a founder member of Year Zero Writers, and blogger on this topic. [...]

]]> By: Story 2.0 « The Aspiring Mangaka & Writers Club http://loudpoet.com/2009/09/03/freemium-for-writers-is-two-debates/comment-page-2/#comment-2713 Story 2.0 « The Aspiring Mangaka & Writers Club Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:07:14 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3143#comment-2713 [...] “Free”, and I don’t want to go into all the issues or start justifying “free”. I wrote a long post for one of my favourite blogs recently where you can find the [...] [...] “Free”, and I don’t want to go into all the issues or start justifying “free”. I wrote a long post for one of my favourite blogs recently where you can find the [...]

]]> By: Jen's Writing Journey http://loudpoet.com/2009/09/03/freemium-for-writers-is-two-debates/comment-page-2/#comment-2708 Jen's Writing Journey Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:50:22 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3143#comment-2708 <strong>Writing Roundup, September 11...</strong> Here is a handy table of contents that will help you quickly reach the topic of your choice. Let me know if you like it this way. The Business of Writing Craft Fiction Freelancing Platform The Business of Writing Freemium for Writers Is Two Debates D... Writing Roundup, September 11…

Here is a handy table of contents that will help you quickly reach the topic of your choice. Let me know if you like it this way.

The Business of Writing
Craft
Fiction
Freelancing
Platform

The Business of Writing
Freemium for Writers Is Two Debates
D…

]]> By: Dan Holloway http://loudpoet.com/2009/09/03/freemium-for-writers-is-two-debates/comment-page-2/#comment-2807 Dan Holloway Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:54:11 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3143#comment-2807 Katherine, as I'm guilty for that phrase, may I answer?<br><br>I wrote about just this here back in May:<br><br><a href="http://streamwriting.com/blog/?p=116" rel="nofollow">http://streamwriting.com/blog/?p=116</a><br><br>I argued that the agent will become a cross between a music manager and a plugger. I've spoken to a number of people who work in the music marketing business, because I think they'd be very good at it.<br><br>The whole point of freemium for me is for those currently on the outside, and the new model agent would have to open themselves up to the fact they're not deling with guaranteed hits AND they'd have not to exploit these newbie writers and become the agenting equivalent of vanity presses. Rather, for writers like me to want to work with them they'd have to do that. And a host of other things, but I'm very interested in exploring the model.<br><br>Can you e-mail me? <a href="mailto:songsfromtheothersideofthewall@googlemail.com" rel="nofollow">songsfromtheothersideofthewall@googlemail.com</a><br><br>Best,<br>Dan Katherine, as I'm guilty for that phrase, may I answer?

I wrote about just this here back in May:

http://streamwriting.com/blog/?p=116

I argued that the agent will become a cross between a music manager and a plugger. I've spoken to a number of people who work in the music marketing business, because I think they'd be very good at it.

The whole point of freemium for me is for those currently on the outside, and the new model agent would have to open themselves up to the fact they're not deling with guaranteed hits AND they'd have not to exploit these newbie writers and become the agenting equivalent of vanity presses. Rather, for writers like me to want to work with them they'd have to do that. And a host of other things, but I'm very interested in exploring the model.

Can you e-mail me? songsfromtheothersideofthewall@googlemail.com

Best,
Dan

]]> By: K. Warman Kern http://loudpoet.com/2009/09/03/freemium-for-writers-is-two-debates/comment-page-2/#comment-2806 K. Warman Kern Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:27:38 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3143#comment-2806 Guy, I'm thinking about "If they don’t read, they’ll never pay" because this is contrary to the way most media purchases are marketed. Although, book publishers have "sampled" writing for decades. <br><br>The typical paid media model reflects why Cohn started Columbia Pictures. He left the rag business (where he struggled to collect receivables) to start a studio BECAUSE he observed people paying for a movie ticket IN ADVANCE, with no returns if not satisfied. This model still works: you pay your cable bill in advance based on the belief that you WILL find satisfaction. The cable segment is the healthiest in revs and profits in the media industry today.<br><br>But I do think that the book market has engaged prospective readers in the process to prime them to buy the book for a long time. (I'm thinking about book excerpts in magazines.) The key is that the "free" sample must be designed as an appetizer to make someone hungry for more. I imagine this takes a very specific talent. <br><br>Would publishers or writers be interested in a new sort of "agent" that packages the appetizers, finds the right readers, and follows up to convert them to purchase the full book? <br><br>Katherine Warman Kern<br>@comradity<br><a href="http://www.comradity.com" rel="nofollow">www.comradity.com</a> Guy, I'm thinking about “If they don’t read, they’ll never pay” because this is contrary to the way most media purchases are marketed. Although, book publishers have “sampled” writing for decades.

The typical paid media model reflects why Cohn started Columbia Pictures. He left the rag business (where he struggled to collect receivables) to start a studio BECAUSE he observed people paying for a movie ticket IN ADVANCE, with no returns if not satisfied. This model still works: you pay your cable bill in advance based on the belief that you WILL find satisfaction. The cable segment is the healthiest in revs and profits in the media industry today.

But I do think that the book market has engaged prospective readers in the process to prime them to buy the book for a long time. (I'm thinking about book excerpts in magazines.) The key is that the “free” sample must be designed as an appetizer to make someone hungry for more. I imagine this takes a very specific talent.

Would publishers or writers be interested in a new sort of “agent” that packages the appetizers, finds the right readers, and follows up to convert them to purchase the full book?

Katherine Warman Kern
@comradity
http://www.comradity.com

]]> By: Dan Holloway http://loudpoet.com/2009/09/03/freemium-for-writers-is-two-debates/comment-page-2/#comment-2805 Dan Holloway Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:11:32 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3143#comment-2805 You're right - theer are only so many person-reading-hours in the world (although by enthusing people about reading and by increasing the number of people with access to culture we can do something about that [but it's not, as I believe the jargonites call it, "scalable"]), and there will be more things from which to choose how to spend them. The pessimist in me thniks our individual voices will get as lost as they are now. The optimist thinks that means more people will get to read more good stuff, and crowds of enthusiasts will push the great stuff to the top. Only time will tell, of course. <br><br>What all of us looking up and hoping CAN do, of course, is make a resolution that if we ever do get in the position where our voices are heard, we use them to find and promote great new writing.<br><br>It could be like a kind of ten years' time party - we all sign up for a get together in 10 years' time to se where we are, and hold the chosen few to account. Better still. All us wannabes and newbies make a pledge, here and now, that whether we make it or not, we will give an hour a week, 40 weeks a year, to scouring the web for new talent, and list the results - one find a week - in a single place, and wherever we go in our careers, however big some of us get, we keep on doing it. That way all us who say now that we're not huge that we care, can make good on our word, and as and if our fame grows, so will the benefit to the new writers we recommend. I'm sure that's not a new idea, but what about it? I'm happy to attach it to the Free-e-day site. Or (er, major hijack alert) Guy might want to host it here. Or we could start a blogger for it. Anyone want in? You're right – theer are only so many person-reading-hours in the world (although by enthusing people about reading and by increasing the number of people with access to culture we can do something about that [but it's not, as I believe the jargonites call it, "scalable"]), and there will be more things from which to choose how to spend them. The pessimist in me thniks our individual voices will get as lost as they are now. The optimist thinks that means more people will get to read more good stuff, and crowds of enthusiasts will push the great stuff to the top. Only time will tell, of course.

What all of us looking up and hoping CAN do, of course, is make a resolution that if we ever do get in the position where our voices are heard, we use them to find and promote great new writing.

It could be like a kind of ten years' time party – we all sign up for a get together in 10 years' time to se where we are, and hold the chosen few to account. Better still. All us wannabes and newbies make a pledge, here and now, that whether we make it or not, we will give an hour a week, 40 weeks a year, to scouring the web for new talent, and list the results – one find a week – in a single place, and wherever we go in our careers, however big some of us get, we keep on doing it. That way all us who say now that we're not huge that we care, can make good on our word, and as and if our fame grows, so will the benefit to the new writers we recommend. I'm sure that's not a new idea, but what about it? I'm happy to attach it to the Free-e-day site. Or (er, major hijack alert) Guy might want to host it here. Or we could start a blogger for it. Anyone want in?

]]> By: Ben White http://loudpoet.com/2009/09/03/freemium-for-writers-is-two-debates/comment-page-2/#comment-2804 Ben White Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:39:01 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3143#comment-2804 I hope voice gets its fair shot. I think your points about bottom up are well taken, I think my skepticism comes from the sheer volume. It does only take one person. But if there's so much stuff out there, then perhaps there will be so much <em>good</em> stuff, so much to the point that it becomes brand, luck, and connections that dictate even virtual success. And everyone who loves the democratic nature of creativity in the 21st century doesn't want that to happen. <br><br>I want the things I hear about to come from passionate communities. I think the community will be, as you said, the real foundation to keep things in the direction that will benefit artists and patrons alike. I hope voice gets its fair shot. I think your points about bottom up are well taken, I think my skepticism comes from the sheer volume. It does only take one person. But if there's so much stuff out there, then perhaps there will be so much good stuff, so much to the point that it becomes brand, luck, and connections that dictate even virtual success. And everyone who loves the democratic nature of creativity in the 21st century doesn't want that to happen.

I want the things I hear about to come from passionate communities. I think the community will be, as you said, the real foundation to keep things in the direction that will benefit artists and patrons alike.

]]> By: Dan Holloway http://loudpoet.com/2009/09/03/freemium-for-writers-is-two-debates/comment-page-2/#comment-2803 Dan Holloway Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:01:49 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3143#comment-2803 I wonder if "brand" is becoming the new "voice". You've put your finger on a key point, though - now, at least, the book is there to be discovered. It only takes one cursory glance from the right person. If the trusted portals and the people who feed them do their job, it isn't impossible - I have a feeling the online community is better at trawling everything and giving it a chance in the hope of finding something new than many traditional publishers. And the reason goes back to one of Guy's keywords - community. In particular it's about gossip - we love gossip, and we love to be there at the start, sharing the buzz of something new within a vast community, and that's a pretty big motivator.<br><br>@MCM - the only reason I haven't replied to each of your points is that I agree with pretty much everything, and don't think there's much to add. I wonder if “brand” is becoming the new “voice”. You've put your finger on a key point, though – now, at least, the book is there to be discovered. It only takes one cursory glance from the right person. If the trusted portals and the people who feed them do their job, it isn't impossible – I have a feeling the online community is better at trawling everything and giving it a chance in the hope of finding something new than many traditional publishers. And the reason goes back to one of Guy's keywords – community. In particular it's about gossip – we love gossip, and we love to be there at the start, sharing the buzz of something new within a vast community, and that's a pretty big motivator.

@MCM – the only reason I haven't replied to each of your points is that I agree with pretty much everything, and don't think there's much to add.

]]> By: Ben White http://loudpoet.com/2009/09/03/freemium-for-writers-is-two-debates/comment-page-2/#comment-2802 Ben White Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:34:56 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3143#comment-2802 Excellent thoughts Chris. I agree with Dan that in the end editorial bias is probably useful to the consumer/reader. It is an interesting parallel between a publisher screening unpublished material and a review site screening available material. The main difference is of course with portal and review sites, the stories are <em>out there</em>, no matter whether anyone likes them.<br><br>I'd like to think that in the future, bottom-up readers will find gems and promote them. With so much out there though, I have to envision that most often that will not be the case. What it <em>does</em> is that in order to make yourself relevant to potential readers and portals, writers will need to be their own "brand" more than ever. Excellent thoughts Chris. I agree with Dan that in the end editorial bias is probably useful to the consumer/reader. It is an interesting parallel between a publisher screening unpublished material and a review site screening available material. The main difference is of course with portal and review sites, the stories are out there, no matter whether anyone likes them.

I'd like to think that in the future, bottom-up readers will find gems and promote them. With so much out there though, I have to envision that most often that will not be the case. What it does is that in order to make yourself relevant to potential readers and portals, writers will need to be their own “brand” more than ever.

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