Re: Magazines - Want One?
Hi Rob,
(Thanks for passing-along the credit!)
My "path" hasn't involved publishing, specifically, but rather the attempts, by myself and others, to develop/market human-powered watercraft ( hydrofoil, in my case) of interest to us.
The " to us" is the critical part of the equation.
The degree to which an "enthusiast" finds something to be exciting or interesting ( read that as "will spend money on" ) can easily mislead his judgement as to how the same idea will be received by "Everyman".
Everyman will look at a new concept and say (honestly meaning it!) "way cool!" or "neat idea", depending on his generation. But what he likely means is "That was fun to see, ... now, what's over here?". The "public" changes focus-of-attention the same way they change channels.
It is the "prioritization-of-expenditures" that truly tells the tale. The requirement to lay out cash quickly restores reality, and "fun daydreams" are shoved to the back of the shelf, to be replaced by the things the would be purchaser has to have, or really wants more.
In other words, one has to remember to keep his salt-shaker handy when listening to words-of-encouragement, from others, who have nothing at risk. Talk really IS cheap, well-intentioned or otherwise,... and talk will not keep a struggling new venture afloat.
The ability to accurately judge the potential market-acceptance of a new product is absolutely KEY to the success or failure of any marketing effort, regardless of the "value" it seems to have in the eyes (usually-starry) of the inventor/enthusiast. (I link the words together, because it is usually the enthusiasm of the inventor which motivates his "inventing", or "improving", in the first place.)
I have watched for a number of years, the best efforts of others (and my own) result in quality products, supposed by their makers to be so exciting to "the public" that there would soon be 2 of their "things" on the top of every car, but end in disappointing acceptance-of-the-fact that the number of "nuts" with interests similar-to-their own, was simply not sufficient to support a sucessful venture.
The ones who HAVE "made it" have, without exception, had to persevere beyound usual limits, and invest beyond good-sense, to achieve what is usually a far more modest success than they had envisioned.
Thus my "cautionary note" to BobT ... Enthusiasm has given birth to many a dream, and fueled many an effort, but MUST be balanced with accurate judgement, if wise decisions are to be made. The ability to make such judgement is often bought with disappointing experience. So my words were my attempt to share a little "perspective".
But they were not meant to be discouraging. As I noted, there are "successes". Publications are born and die every day.
But those which fill a genuine need survive,... and I think a "hardcopy Tractorbynet" has an excellent chance, if "Market-wise" editing and a serious "ear" to the readership's desires, are part of the picture. With these forums serving as an ad-hoc "think-tank", any would-be publishers certainly have an excellent resource to utilize.
Since it's not my money-or-time, I say " Go for it!"
But remember the salt-shaker
Larry
