The Difference Between Sales and Fans by A Newbie's Guide to Publishing

I saw this post The Difference Between Sales and Fans at the incredibly interesting website of A Newbie's Guide to Publishing. I have been a follower of the mantra keep PDF pricing low, but this article got me thinking about a lot of things I do in business with LPJ Design.  Most importantly this article (and Tony Hsieh of Zappos.com new book Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose) got me thinking of opening my mind up in other types of strategies in business.  and this was the section that really did it for me when reading:


There's a difference between making sales and gaining fans. It's tough to differentiate between the two, and there is some overlap, but I'd break it down like this: People who buy your work may become readers. Readers who like your work will probably become fans. Of the two (buyers and fans) you want to have fans. Fans are willing to pay more. Fans buy everything you write. Fans write reviews. Fans talk about you. Fans get really excited when you have a new release.


That is the central focus that we as RPG companies and developers are working from.  We are doing everything to make fans in this business. Fred Hicks has this down perfect and I will admit I am a little jealous of him. But if I always remember to service my fans needs and wants, I will do OK.  Talk to you later...

Paizo gets it, and you should copy their business plan...

Once again Paizo proves themselves as the heir apparent to the D&D throne. I picked up my copy of Master of the Fallen Fortress from my local gaming store for Free RPG Day this weekend (if you are going to be in South Florida this weekend, you can see & meet me in person at Florida SuperCon in Miami looking to recruit artists) and I also picked up the NPC Guide. Full color, amazing art and layout.  Fantastic all around products. I was talking to some friends and they told me that thye have jumped ship from 4E to Pathfinder.   The main reason? "Pathfinder felt like D&D".  I keep hearing that from more and more people.  "4E isn't bad, but Pathfinder fells more like D&D to me." is what people are saying.  And I have to agree with the people.

Paizo follows a very simple business formula.  It is the same formula that Apple and Zappos use. They turn customers into evangelist of their products. People talk about Paizo products. Sometimes it is good and sometimes it is bad, but you can talk about Paizo and what they do, and I don't get the feeling they just want you to tell them what you feel so they can make their products better. Plus is Paizo makes a mistake like like with their GameMastery Face Cards: Enemies Deck, they just admit it and move on to do better next time.  Paizo gets it, and if you don't get it maybe you should follow what they do and see if it helps you out.  Hell I did. Where do you think the idea of the Quartermaster digital item cards cam from.  Talk to you later...