[PnP] Marketing options and such

[DAVID VANCE]

I'd like to provide an alternative to the e-book release if I may.

I was marketing director for an online game for a short while, and while 
that doesn't carry enough merit due to the extremely short nature of the 
stint, I did learn a few things.

1)  Exposure.  Online is still a small portion of the US.  You will want a 
larger exposure of the product  in order to enjoy even nominal success.  
Marketing as an alternative to the d20 phenom will actually be a good thing 
as long as you do it in a positive manner (ie - d20 is a great system, but 
if you would like to experience a system that has ...)  There is no sense in 
standing in front of the giant slinging stones unless you have God on your 
side.

2)  Small press.  The owner of Wizard's Attic is giving assistance to 
authors (may be just advice) on running a small print run.  I was completely 
astounded at the very very low cost of a small print run when last I checked 
on it, and I think it came out to about $3 per copy even with a run of only 
1000.  You'll have to contact them for more information, I have since lost 
all my contact info.

I think releasing PnP as a special "collector's edition" small print run 
would be the way to go.  Low initial cost, physical exposure in a larger 
market, the additional attention the word "collector" garners, and you may 
be getting a request to run a second, larger printing.  Some things you can 
do to make this a collector's edition would range from special covers, 
embossings, colored interiors and the like to even something as simple as 
personally autographed.  There's quite a few ways of making a product look 
desireable without going to the poor house doing so.

Several businesses do the e-book system though, and there are even online 
stores that specialize in them - again, I'm not on my machine with all my 
links, but I've bought some product myself.

Not all of these ideas will be the "optimal solution" but I do hope they 
contribute to more thought.  If you want I can take a look at scrounging up 
more intormation and presenting some "packages" and a list of options, 
pricings and marketing venues.  Will probably take me about a month to get 
everything together because I do have a "real job" too (US Army - they're 
rather jealous about owning all my time.)

Best,
David Vance
"If you're tired of the same the story turn some pages"
ROLL WITH THE CHANGES - REO Speedwagon

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