DAY 2

An Explanation… and a Warning… and a Name.

  Here is a little more about what I am trying to accomplish, time frames, and more of what my 1000 Fan Journey may look like.

  What I am trying to accomplish is simple, over the next 365 days (it’s a leap year) I plan on gaining 1000 fans. A “real” fan, by my definition, is someone willing to spend $50 (USD) on your passion in a year and tell their friends about that passion leading to that friend checking it out. It’s not hard to imagine talking about something you really like and spending $50 dollars on it.

 For example:

You make cupcakes and sell them for $5 a piece, to be a fan you would by 10 in one year… less than 1 a month.

You are a musician and sell your CD/Download for $10, a t-shirt for $20, and two tickets for a live show for $10.

You make comic books and sell them for $2.50 each (monthly digital download) and T-Shirt or print for $20.

You get the idea.

  Some of you may already have read or heard about the “True Fan” concept. I first heard of it over two years ago from Kevin Kelly in his blog, The Technium, at http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2008/03/1000_true_fans.php . It is a great read by the way. Over the last couple of years I have been adjusting it and tweeking things here and there into what I think the “new media artist” needs to survive.

  One of the things I don’t quite think is needed is the “non-use of old media routes”. I believe that the 1000 Fan Journey is a stepping-stone to more, while allowing us to live and grow in-between.  After having worked on a national morning show for three years, I understand the power of traditional avenues and the need for them at some point.

  Also the “True Fan” concept, spending $100 a year, is more of a Fantastic Fan and the Average Fan is around $20. Leaving a Casual Fan at $10 or less. Now there are Super Fans, greater than $100, but I believe that we shouldn’t actively try to convert True Fans into them. If your content is great enough, they will evolve on their own.

  Over the next year I am going to prove, or disprove and revise, my theories updating you all the way. The updates will be twice a week at least and hourly at it’s craziest. Using Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and possibly a third connection. Over the next few days it will migrate from my personal page to a page all its own.

ASSIGNMENT:

Define what kind of thing you are going to make. Comic, Cupcake, or Jell-o Monsters, it is up to you really. If you’re stumped, ask you First Fan what they think. Post in the comments what you plan on making.

Lastly a WARNING! (or 2 really)

1^st - If you are a current Full Sail Student, please do not give me any money. Talk about this all you want, try it, like it on Facebook, and follow it, but do not give me any money. Currently I am an instructor there and this would be a conflict of interest. Doing anything with the 1000 Fan Journey, with no financial investment, is up to you, but it will not improve your grade or standings in anyway.

2^nd – This will take time and effort to create and maintain, as does anything worth having or being a part of. If you can’t invest the energy in it now, start planning for when you can. If you think this is the right path. Remember it took me two years to try.