Know-How Exchange : Strategy

Greetings Marketing Profs folks,

I’m going to be as blunt with my project as possible, so that you can be as relevant as possible with any advice you might have. As such, I am concerned about you not giving me the time of day, because I may not paint myself pretty enough for you to consider worth helping. I hope you’ll consider me just very honest, rather than very hopeless.

Fictionade (www.fictionade.com) was my concept in January. I launched it in April. I am essentially a solopreneur, though I have a close friend and a wife that help on occasion. ---The schpiel: Fictionade is an online, independent, ad free fiction magazine. It's the first fiction magazine built to help new writers make IT out there. 1/3 of subscriptions go to the writers, and all copyrights stay with the writers. (We'll never do work-made-for hire agreements or similar contracts that eliminate ownership from the writers.)--- The project is currently on the web but will extend to being something that will be on iPads and other devices soon (still researching that). Another piece of the project is increasing the social worth of the magazine. I intend the “magazine” to really also be the host for virtual book clubs, writer’s circles, etc.

Regarding writers: I use staff writers, but I consider them customers, not employees. The 1/3 clause is publicly known, and is intended to mirror the publishing world. By this I mean it is not a flat pay-rate, or a stipend or whatever, but rather, a pay consistent with buyership. People pay, writers win. It is intended as a learning device, to teach writers to promote. I also, fyi, divide this 1/3 fee according to something I describe as “reader engagement” Basically this takes that 1/3 of subscribership and divides it according to the ratio of time spent on one writer (pageviews of a writer’s stories multiplied by ave. time per said readers) to the time spent on all writers. Like I said, I consider them customers, especially at the present, because they purchase my concept, and deliver a remarkable amount of work (apx. 40 pages of fiction per month) for a very unfortunate average pay at present (I’m paying them somewhere between $1 and $10 presently per month). The idea is that they are in charge of building their publishing empire, and I am a stepping stone. I am the “SNL” of fiction writers. But I am a far cry from making happen for them what I would really like to see. I want to help some writers out, on top of my desire to build a successful business.

Currently, subscribership is my only means of income. Ideas on this? (Mobile device revenue would become a secondary…) My friend has suggested ads on non-subscribership areas. This worries me in terms of my brand, but I’m willing to hear thoughts.

Okay, so the first thing you can tell me, here in August, is whether the concept is bust from the get-go. I appreciate knowing. I might not believe you, but if that’s what you think, just say that.

But, to get down to it, this is a cash business, and so let’s assume I can’t double down on Ad Words or Facebook campaigns. How do I drive subscribers? That’s my primary question, and I would appreciate your ideas and input.

Thanks for thinking this through for me, and I’d be happy to answer any follow-up questions.

My best, ~Chris