So, the holidays are upon us, bearing down like an unstable Christmas tree on an all too curious cat, and I thought I would give a little inspirational cheer as well as do a few plugs for gift giving, if you don’t mind.
First, I would like to invite everyone reading this to take 10% off EVERYTHING in the comedyfilmnerds.com store. This is the site run by myself and fellow filmmaker/comedian Graham Elwood. We offer some really cool signed and personalized merchandise from comedians and filmmakers. Right now you can get my book Pacify Me and Stefanie Wilder-Taylor’s new book It’s Not Me It’s You both signed and personalized and sent wherever you want in time for Christmas. We also have T-shirts, DVDs and even short film downloads, although I’m not sure how great a gift downloads make. They’re hard to wrap. So please stop by. Use the coupon code “improv” Don’t use the quotes, though. Seriously.
Now, I have often wondered (and been asked) how many fans do you really need to support yourself creatively? That’s a great question, and I didn’t think there was an answer, until another comedian, David Feldman, told me. He said the answer is simple: It’s 5,000.
Wait, so 5,000? David explained to me that it was called something like catching the tail of the comet. You need 5,000 people who like your work enough to pay $20 a year for it. The math is very simple. That’s $100,000 a year. And your fan base will grow from that 5,000.
It has nothing to do with the medium. Writing, podcasting, blogging, sculpting, painting, music, etc. It doesn’t matter. It could even be something technical like a piece of software or a video game. Maybe even an iphone app… You just need 5,000 people to spend $20 a year on you. Whether they are buying a book, CD, or paying for a podcasting subscription.
At first it seems like a lot but then think about it. It’s not 5,000 people in your town. It’s not 5,000 in your state, or even in your country. 5,000 people in the WORLD. That’s all you need. Friends and family count, too. See? You’ve already started.
Sure, it won't happen overnight, and it may take a few years, but nothing worthwhile is easy. So get out there. Find your 5,000.
About Me
- Chris Mancini
- A comic and a filmmaker, Chris has written and directed many films, shows, and people who were lost looking for the mall. He has screened and spoken at various prestigious festivals including Slamdance, HBO’S US Comedy Arts festival, and at Comic-Con in San Diego. But nothing could have prepared him for the ultimate 2001ish surreal space baby adventure: Fatherhood.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
A Coupon and Some Holiday Inspiration
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14 comments:
Okay Dude. I've been wanting to read your book anyway.
Hmmm, should I send a bill to each of my followers? That MIGHT just scare them away. However, I might just have to take that chance! (I'm not proud.)
Finding 5,000 people isn't the hard part. Getting them to pay is.
You do have 33 Google readers so start billing.
5,000 huh?
*Runs off to find people*
Five thousand. I think I can swing that! :-)
You're funny. Have added you to my blogroll.
Pearl
Interesting perspective. 5,000 people doesn't seem like a lot.
But how do I fit those 5000 people in my basement while I force them to give me $20?
Also, does it have to be the same 5000 people every year, or can I just run a cyclical con?
I can't decide. A signed, personalized copy of your book, from ComedyFilmNerds? Or unsigned, but with gift wrap, from Amazon?
Holiday decision-making gives me a headache.
Interesting number.
I just found you, and have started to follow. Put out the call and look what happens?
You are on my sidebar now too! Good luck Daddy!
I can't even get my wife to pay my Visa bill, man.
I've been at it for almost three years and have a couple hundred. What's the math on how long this is gonna take?
So, the gift wrap won. I bought your book on Amazon for my brother (who is about to be a new dad).
Also, I named you in one of those silly but sort of fun award thingies over at WR. Come check it out and post it if you want. If not, no hard feelings. I'll still buy some more books.
You guys all ROCK! Thanks for all the support, kind words, adds and of course purchases.
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