[ARTICLE] Controversial SECRET To Online SUCCESS - 90% Of Readers WILL NOT Do It!

Wow. That is all real. Well done. Added to your rec.

 

thanks for the rep

for the record I have been marketing for 18 years and my mentor is the #1 Marketer in History

 

Dear Friends,

If someone deals with psychology then he knows how many happy man would be on the world if these truths would be learned and would be applied by peoples.

But I experienced in the course of times that people don't like the truth. The thruth causes pain for people, and the most make every effort to remain lazy because he feels himself better in this manner. And naturally, complains and cries why he can not get his goals.

We may understand this if we examine the human nature only. It happens not accidentally, that those who perfect the emotional approach attain real successes in IM business. Good example is in this direction dr Joe Vitale.

Sorry the world is not perfect. Me neither.

Excellent thread. Congratulate.

Sandor

 

Why thank you, I didn't realise you held me in such high regard...

oh hold on, you meant someone else ...

 

Business Coach, I have to thak you and agree with you on such a great article. Points 1, 2 and 4 hold significance for me. I have been trying to make it on the web for nearly 3 years now, and only in the past year I have acheived success merely by writing a plan and budget (I have always tried to be ethical). I am not 100% sure about the mentor part. I could agree that if you are trying to tackle the internet marketing world full on, it would be a useful tool however not essential. What I do believe is essential is having a network of people from family, friends and other IM's that you can trust to chuck ideas off and receive constructive criticism and new thoughts. I always do this for my projects as they offer multiple perspectives and ideas on the subjects.

Overall, great post, rep added

 

Great article, I need to read this article ( and this thread) again .

 

The mentor thing has always been a hurdle for me. No one is doing anything like what I do and/or want to do. Also, living day to day I certainly can't afford to hire an expensive business coach at this time.

 

I am sure someone is doing what you want to do, you just might not know where to look

Give us an idea of what you are trying to do, and I'm sure someone can point you in the right direction

 

I know of one creator who did similar to what I did, but he is in Japan. He also partnered with a major independent distributor. He spells out pretty clearly what he did in his DVD.

As for what I am trying to do, this was its beginning.

That was a few years ago now, but before I also partnered with a publisher, I was creating and putting out the DVDs myself. It did well for quite some time and I built up quite a name, but today's market is quite different. It seems that, with almost all digital content, free is becoming the new price point at which such content is to be made available. Many indie rock bands, and the like, have been doing so, giving away their content to promote tours or merchandise like T-shirts etc.

As I create my next original show, I also see no option, save going through a major publisher and thus getting screwed, than to give it away for free. Doesn't seem promising for the amount of time and and effort that goes into making such a show. I love to do it, though, so its going to get made anyway.

 

Not sure I follow, is that your book? then are you trying to sell a book? there are a million people out there who sell books

I have been in the music business, literally since birth...and it's a myth you get "screwed" when you get with a publisher, just like it's a myth all indie artist give away their work.

I think you need to spend less time on your "art" and get talking to people on the business side if you expect to make money from it. You have a mentality that many creative people like yourself have, and you end up frustrating yourself.

Find some folk who have independently published, or published with a small firm and learn some lessons. Buy some books on self publishing.

The content is not as important as the methodology for you right now.

I understand you have a unique niche etc etc....but the basics will always be the basics...and yes the digital age makes things different, but once you understand WHAT makes people buy, it won't make a difference, as you will see MANY people sell millions of books (and music) each year.

Remember to Picture Your Success!

 

That was a link to my DVD. Original indie animation. As I mentioned, before going with a major publisher I self published the DVD and did quite well, and built up quite a name.

I believe I would still have an easier time selling a DVD, or even a book, today. The problem is I don't want to. I see no point in the world of digital downloads. But the difference is in how people see digital downloads versus a product they can hold in their hands.

I've self published a few comics and a couple of DVDs. I always read the best information on self publishing and indie distribution, in my field and in games, music and movies. I don't believe my problem is a lack of information. If it was, I would think major companies like Akimbo with millions in venture capital investment could easily find whatever information I am missing, but they didn't and are gone now.

Although I certainly agree that I need to focus less on my "art" and more on the business side, I don't believe this trend of "free" is some form of "starving artist" mentality. This market shift has been written about in Wired, Business Week and other trades and websites since the first dot com bubble. When there are thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of hours of animation and TV shows out there available for free, (including those with name actors and by name directors etc.) thanks to file sharing, why is someone going to pay to watch your unknown show?

Some of the greatest success stories in the digital realm all began with the creators giving away their content.

Actually, I didn't get screwed when I went with a publisher. I got a great deal for a first time director and writer. But some of my friends were not so fortunate. Just looking at the contracts some were given, with all this "back end" money you know was never going to happen, I can't say it is only a "myth" that creators get screwed. I do believe, however, that it is usually only the "foot in the door" contract that's bad. Those who push through and show they have value will continue to get better deals.

I agree wholly that the content is not as important as the methodology. We have all seen unworthy content make it big. Still, my problem is that I have talked to some indie content producers and self publishers. I know many personally. Most are not selling from their own websites, if they even have one. In fact, many, especially in the world of comics and animation, are creating physical products, like books and DVDs, and using the same distributors that the big publishers and studios use. I'd rather just go with a publisher than deal with that hassle.

BTW - Thanks for all your advice. I really do appreciate your taking your time to write these threads. (which is free content by the way ) I haven't read your Silly Farmer thread yet. I am on to that next!

 

Nice article! Thanks for sharing.

 

companies go out of business for many reasons...i doubt the sole reason for Akimbos fall was that people just went for free content.

THen why is still a multibillion dollar industry? The problem is not that people won't buy, it's that most don't focus on HOW TO GET people to buy in these changing times...people are still willing and able to pay for good creative. (also, it's very short sighted to see a direct retail sale as the only profit source...publishing residuals, joint ventures, sponsorships, merchandising....in fact, you can GIVE your stuff away and still make a ton of money....but that's what I mean by starving artist mentality...from your point of view...its an obstacle...from mine it's an opportunity...but until you have had success at it, it may be difficult for you to even picture it.)

keys to contract negotiation

1) always have an attorney experienced in the industry

2) backend money is always more powerful and worth more than any front end monies

3) You take from the table based on what you bring....if somene else is footing the bill and all you got is an idea, concept or some creative, don't expect to take much away from the deal. If you EVER are on the other end of the table, you will see things quite differently

4) you can NEVER get screwed in a contract that you signed....details were outlined in writing ahead of time, everyone has the option of changing the terms or just not signing.

Your talking iwth the wrong people...unsuccessful people can no easier show you the way to success than a bald man show you how to grow hair...(the old saying never take advice from a bald man on how to grow hair)

Your welcome

 

Well, Akimbo should have gone with the free model from the beginning, but they didn't. They tried to make the switch but it was too late.

Because it is specifically not unknown content. It's Batman, Spiderman and Hulk or Harry Potter, proven properties that have a huge track record in comics, novels, games or wherever. Movies with original stories employ big name actors, known directors and other means that bring in the audience. In Japan, an anime doesn't get made unless it comes from a comic that has already sold millions. The few that do are from big name directors where their name alone will bring in the crowd and sales.

That is kind of what I have been saying, or at least trying to say, from the beginning. I need to be prepared to do that. That seems to be the only model that works in the digital realm with online unknown, indie content.

It's one of the only things I have had success with, though limited due to lack of persistence. At the time I was unaware that some of the guys doing tens of thousands of dollars per month (or day) at this took a year or two to build up to that. My initial complaint about my own endeavors was based solely on trying to sell indie content.

If you get it. Most studios would much rather pay you a flat front end fee, even if it is millions, than have you participate in the profits. Even some big names can tell you stories of how a movie that grossed hundreds of millions somehow worked out that they got nothing on the back end. Sometimes it's not about a bad contract. Sometimes they are cooking the books.

I don't have to be on the other end for that. I've worked in the business for years. I know well that if a studio is giving you $20 million to make your film, they are the ones walking away with all the profit. That's why most, even big names today, include their fee in that initial $20 million. Universal backed out of Spielberg's latest project because he and Peter Jackson were getting percentages while Universal footed the $130 million bill. Universal knew they could never make money that way, so they turned down two of the most successful directors of our time.

Well, indie doesn't mean unsuccessful. Homestarrunner.com does several thousand, if not tens of thousands of dollars in business everyday. Their content is all free. The other guys I know who are successful are selling real physical products. I know of no one, however, selling unknown indie content online being successful. I do know of some big companies with millions in venture capital that went under trying though.

When you said "in fact, you can GIVE your stuff away and still make a ton of money...." I think that is the model to follow.

Thanks again for your advice. I have decided that I will produce my next show, and it will be for the mobile market, and it will be free. We'll see what happens.

 

Honestly I am not sure how to respond....

In one breath you you are talking the gloom and doom of despair, and in the next breath you give the answer to the problem.

Like anime not being produced until its a hit in book form...in other words, they capitalize off of a market already built up....when has hollywood done otherwise? That's just sharp business.

But the point is, as an indie, you have to BUILD that base...that's the problem.

You say you have had success, and that you know the biz in and out...then you should be rocking and rolling..the only thing stopping you is you.

based off of what I see, the thing you lack, is ano ptimistic attitude, you seem to think you are defeated by "freebie seekers" already....and that is 100% untrue.

Broaden your horizons, you will see there is plenty of money to be made, even in this free market...I have been showing people how to do it for about 20 years now, so I know it can be done. Don't sell yourself (or your creations) short...train people to pay and they will.

 

Hey fantastic article, you are obviosuly very knowledgeable in what you do and I think it is great that someone experienced wants to give such great advice for free to the not so experienced.
Thanks again
x

 

That says it all. I think that is where those who have made a success of free content did something right. Once you build the base, then there are many avenues to travel that lead to profits.

That's been my biggest problem for years. One of my friends in Hollywood calls it "analysis paralysis". I spend too much time over-thinking everything and wondering about markets and audiences instead of just making cool shows and putting them out there.

Well, I know it is out there. I just don't have a roadmap to it as yet. Being in a smaller niche I don't believe that advertising is the way, at least not from my experience. I believe it would be in building that base, like you talk about, and then making money from licensing and merchandizing.

George Lucas became a billionaire off licensing and merchandizing, which made him far more money than the sales of movies could ever make.

Thanks again for replying. You are rare on this forum, in my view, in that you really help people. I am designing my next show even now!

 

Here it is:

1) This is 100% true, and this is why you need a mentor. Someone who can help you create one. It is also why you need to forget about the people you know, as their experience can't help you make one (or else you would have gotten it already)

2) Your experience is flawed...unless you have had specific marketing training, then like 90% of people who do their own advertising, you did it incorrectly. People don't like to hear that, but you are not born knowing how to advertise..and it IS NOT COMMON Sense...it is both art and science. You have to learn to do it properly. Most people advertise and get poor results, not because of WHERE they advertise, but HOW they advertise.

I had a guy give me a quote last night for new carpet in my house, who scoffed at advertising..he has been in business for 30+ years and it doesnt work for him. There is no convincing him that the millions of other carpet companies in the nation have SUCCESS at advertising...it didnt work "FOR HIM"...I know for a fact, its because he had no idea what to do or how.

Advertising not only works, but is essential to any business that wants to grow and is necessary for high levels of success.

If you want to be like the carpet guy, in your 50s doing sales calls, answering the phone, going to homes at 7pm measuring with your wife...then by all means, NO ADVERTISING will work...if you see the value in hiring someone else to do all that, and still make a hefty profit...you need to advertise.

Of course you are not in the carpet business, but you are in business, and you want people to know about your product, and more importantly you want them to buy it (or do somethign that leads to you making money)...which means you need to advertise...even though your experience brought poor results in the past...the problem is not "advertising"...it's the "advertiser"

advertising is actually the MOST responsive in smaller niches, than mass markets But enough about that, on to

3) Yes but know that its not an "either/or" and not and "if/then"

You said:

I would say:

One of the most valuable things I teach people in the music business is how to get your fanbase to finance each and every one of your projects.

Most just don't know how to PROPERLY build a fan base...many know how to be popular, but not how to build fans, and that is a whole different aspect of artist development (you are an artist).

A properly built and worked fan base will mean you never worry about costs for a project and you will have a consistent set of revenue streams for the rest of your life.

Cheers!

 

By the way...I looked at your site in your link

you are sitting on a goldmine and don't even realize it

 

Excellent article, thank you for the advice and guidance

ak