The Problem with 1000 True Fans

John Scalzi is discussing potential flaws to the "1000 True Fan" model of cyber-success. He raises some valid points.

But at a $100 threshold, his question "Would you spend that much money on a single creator in a year?" made me pause ... I can think of at least one person for whom I probably hit that target in the past. If I were not starving-broke, I'd probably be hitting that target for one person consistently, and maybe more than one. In fact if I had plentiful money, I'd be doing that deliberately because I like patronizing the arts. Last night at the harp concert I dropped $25 on CDs and coaxed my partner into buying the third one.

Re: Thoughts

[identity profile] e-cunningham.livejournal.com 2008-03-14 06:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Good post. It raises several questions and observations about the 1000 True Fan model:

1) How feasible is to to assume a creator can product $100 worth of new material a year?
2) How many fans can afford to drop $100 on a single creator?
3) It is not reasonable to assume that True Fans are singular in their focus. Avid readers tend to read the work or several/many authors. Few people listen to a single band, or purchase the wares of a single craftsperson or artist. Most likely, creators will share their True Fans with more than other other creator. This forces True Fans to pick and choose--unless, of course, they have hundreds or even thousands of dollars in discretionary income to spend each year on books, art, graphic novels, music, and concerts.