Electronic publishing redux

[Matt Snyder]

After many late hours, I finally finished laying out Cartoon Action Hour  and it's now available as a PDF download{/url] for $10. The PDF is thick by most standards -- 108 pp, with art. It's a 4.2  MB download, 3.9 MB zipped.

Now, what I find interesting is whether folks think this is something they'd buy. I'm speaking mainly of the form, rather than the content here (though I'm sure Cynthia would love to hear comments about the content).

I know this was debated some on Jared recent "Raping the public" thread. One point that was brought up, if I recall rightly, was folks would throw down money for a meaty product, rather than, say, a 24 pp word file.

CAH is meaty, to be sure. A regular simulationist fest if ever there was one. It's professionally produced (easy for me to say being the fellow who designed the layout!), having had Ron himself as editor and Cynthia writing the thing with an obvious passion and knowledge of her subject.

So, what do you think folks? Is this kind of electronic publishing viable? What are your thoughts on what's required to make a quality product, the fancy way of saying, what will it take for you to buy it. And further, what do you see as the direction of electronic publishing, given that we've had several comments -- from Jared Sorensen and Mike Mearls to name a few -- that it's not living up to its potential? Anything in recent weeks out there, CAH or otherwise, that might change that attitude?

[Nathan]

Sorry guys -- but this is electronic publishing. Does a book sell if you just plop it out to stores and cross your fingers? No. You have got to do a bit of p.r.

Here is the breakdown:

Press Releases:
Try www.gamingreport.com, www.rpgnews.com, www.fiction-fantasy.net, www.unclebear.com, www.rpg.net, www.gamingoutpost.com... Any others?

More than just press releases, some of these sites have ad/news forums. Post your news and then check back regularly to answer questions or whatever. Alternately, you could stir up even more interest by flaming your own message. Always good for business. :)

Sell From More Than One Spot:
Try www.rpgnow.com, www.hyperbooks.com, and paypal. Each site has its own advantages and disadvantages. Rpgnow is probably the biggest.

Support Your Game:
This is my personal belief. One press release doesn't work -- you need to do another set of press releases every month or so. But instead of rehashing what you got, you need to announce something new. The "new item" can be free or for sale, but the bottom line is - release something new and announce it. If you don't want to do a supplement, write up six sample characters. Write an article about the design behind your game. Write a mini-supplement. Update the website -- do something to show that your game is STILL out there.

Reviews:
Finally, don't forget the beauty of online reviews. You can go with www.rpg.net, www.gamingreport.com, www.unclebear.com, or whatever. Heck, I host reviews if needed at www.mysticages.com. Get someone you know to write the review -- and if it is good or bad, don't worry about it. Post it. It is all press.

And then, don't forget to use  the good ol' tricks of email. Make sure you are collecting an email from every purchase. Send out emails to encourage them to write reviews and share what they think of the product with their friends. I'm doing this write now and I'm not selling anything yet!

Cool... Rock on. Also, don't forget to support your local cons. Jared knows this: http://www.memento-mori.com/journal.html. Sorry about the kidney stones, Jared.

Thanks,
Nathan

[Ron Edwards]

Hey,

"Viable" and "living up to its potential" are not the same thing.

To me, the question of "viability" applies to a single product or company, and it's a matter of whether the person who owns the item is making money relative to costs. Sorcerer, as a PDF, was eminently viable. Sorcerer, its supplements, Elfs and Demon Cops (all PDF products of mine, for a while) were viable together, hence, "I" was viable as a PDF publisher. Today, Adept Press is viable as the publisher of three books and a couple of PDF products.

"Living up to its potential," where "it" refers to PDF/online products, is apparently an across-company, industry-type issue. Frankly, since I think no role-playing sales mechanism has ever targeted, marketed, and functioned in a sustainable fashion, the question regarding PDF products very much misses the forest for the trees.

In many ways, viability must remain the primary concern of the publisher. If I'm viable with what I'm doing, then it really doesn't matter whether that tactic "lives up to its potential" in the broader sense or not. I can recommend it to others; they can make use of it to whatever degree they want; the extent to which the tactic penetrates across the industry can only be treated as an effect, not as a goal and certainly not as a standard.

Best,
Ron

[Ron Edwards]

Nathan,

You got it. Everything you're saying, which is also what I've been saying for a long time now, is the key to viability ... ah yes, and also, having a product whose quality is undeniable in actual use.

Best,
Ron

[Mytholder]

Sorry guys -- but this is electronic publishing. Does a book sell if you just plop it out to stores and cross your fingers? No. You have got to do a bit of p.r.

Here is the breakdown:

Press Releases:
Try www.gamingreport.com, www.rpgnews.com, www.fiction-fantasy.net, www.unclebear.com, www.rpg.net, www.gamingoutpost.com... Any others?

www.ogrecave.com, rec.games.frp.announce, and any appropriate sites for the genre of the game.

[Cynthia Celeste Miller]

Thanks for the reply.  =0)

Oh believe me, I've been working dilligently on P.R.

I've got my second round of press releases sent out to multiple sites.  The first round was when I first announced the project, which has worked well.

Plus, some of our playtesters have gone out and spread the word of their own accord, which has created a small but pleasent buzz, especially on the rpg.net forums.

As for selling from more than one spot, we've got CAH up on Rpgnow and within a few days, we'll have it available on our webpage.  We're experiencing some technical difficulties there.  Uggggh!  I've not thought about hyperbooks, but I'll swing by & give it a look-see.

Also, we've given out copies to various reviewers already.  Hopefully, within a week or two, some of these reviews will begin to surface.

I'm definitely doing my best to get the game noticed and the sales are already coming in at a fairly rapid rate.  With any luck (and more P.R.), this will continue.

[Cynthia Celeste Miller]

As always, you speak the gospel.  The whole viability issue truly does revolve around each individual designer/company.  So many companies have gone belly-up because their overhead was too high in comparison to what they were actually pulling in.

[Cynthia Celeste Miller]

You mentioned advertising on genre-appropriate sites and I couldn't agree more.  I spent many hours last night doing just that on various 1980s action cartoon sites that I frequent.  I'll be doing more of that today as well.

I should probably point out that I'm not spamming these sites or anything.  I'm contacting the webmasters individually to go through proper channels.

[Michael Hopcroft]

I hope you'll tell me how you do, because I'm going to have exactly the same problems promoting HeartQuest and Fuzz. Maybe I should hire Cynthia as a consultant except that I'm wondering how I'll pay her advance....

[Ron Edwards]

Michael,

I can't speak for Cynthia or for anyone else, but before you start wringin' your hands about "consulting" and "paying," consider the mission of this site. As long as you're talking about advice and information, most people here are willing to help out for free, within limits of time and other obligations.

Already, right here in this thread, is your hit-list for PR. All set. No consulting fees, no hassles, and plenty of space for whatever questions pop up. Some of us had to do this before general-use RPG sites existed, and we learned some really harsh lessons - all of which are accessible to you without the pain.

So ask away. The more creator-owned, guerrilla-published RPGs that exist as viable commercial entities, the more we all benefit.

Best,
Ron

[Cynthia Celeste Miller]

Actually, Michael, there are folks here at the Forge with much more knowledge that me.  Where do you think I go when I have questions?  Yep, right here.  The people who frequent these forums not only have a great deal of knowledge and insight, but they're always willing to lend a hand (like Ron said) within limits.

Just like everyone else here, I love helping other indie publishers out as best I can, whenever I can.  In fact, I've sent what I think is some sound marketting advice to you this morning via email (in response to your email to me).  Hopefully you received it and find it useful.