So – here is a quick note since I wrote my “Big News” post last night (announcing that the first issue of “Mooncher’s Mind-Dump” is ready).
What’s happened since?
Well, this…
- Nobody has purchased a PDF version of Mooncher’s Mind-Dump (although a few people have enquired about receiving printed copies).
- I’m trying not to slink in shame down a smelly drain (poetic?) – because – what did I think would happen???
This is what I do. THIS. IS. WHAT. I. DO.
I launch ideas (with great abandon and enthusiasm) – then, I (tentatively) tell a smallish group of people about it (whilst lamenting and agonising like Van Gogh must’ve whilst hacking off his ear)….
…and if EVERYONE doesn’t INSTANTLY rush off in a frenzy and LEAP excitedly on board to my new idea – I (immediately!) say to myself: “See!? It was just a stupid idea. Loser… loser… loser with a capital “L”!!!”.
Yes, I know it’s not rational. My Rational-Brain (which is far cleverer than my bleeding heart) keeps reminding me:
- You posted just before midnight last night. Most of your local FB crowd were in bed.
- Of the international crowd – not everyone who even SAW your post advertised would have clicked on it.
- Of the crowd who actually DID click (the ones I’m really obsessing about at the moment) – there’s a few sub-categories:
- Not everyone understands what a zine is. For all they know, it could be like a boring brochure… or a poster… or I dunno what.
- Even for those who *get* what a zine is – it doesn’t necessarily mean that they WANT a zine.
- Even for those who want and read zines… they don’t necessarily need to like your art or your zine. Maybe it’s just not their *thing*.
- For those who DO want your zine… they may not want it in PDF format (and I agree with them! PDF’s do zines a great disservice. The best way to experience a zine is to receive it in the post – complete with a lucky packet of goodies. That’s the RIGHT way to get a zine!!)
- For those who would even be happy to receive a PDF version of the zine – maybe they don’t have a credit card (Gumroad only accepts payment by credit card)… or maybe they don’t have an extra $1 to spare… or maybe it’s just too much of a bloody schlep… (?)
Yes… Yes…
I know… I know…
I should NOT take this personally.
But – there remains a very big part of me… that’s moping around morbidly like a sad clown.
So – maybe someone out there has some wise words of wisdom?? What can I LEARN from this??
I’m now going to shut off this computer, tuck myself into a blanket next to the heater (our home feels like a fridge)… and read something calming. And drink something warming.
Thanks for allowing me to splurb! x
OK, I was intrigued and I clicked on the zine – but I was put off by the schlep of entering the credit card details etc for something that I did not know at all whether I would want. so the 1$ did not put me off – I would pay probably more – but I would want to know what I was getting. So my suggestion is give us the first one for free or at least a taster so that we can then decide whether we want to buy….. at have paypal too – I probably would have bought it had paypal been an option. Entering credit card details are a serious disincentive for me.
THANK-YOU, Tanya, for the feedback!!! Wise words!
Okay… I’m going to take your advice – and offer the first PDF free off my website. You’re right – I also like to *see* what I buy. It is a bit annoying that Gumroad don’t do paypal… you’re right. Maybe I should add a direct paypal link to my site… aaak! The confusion!
Again – thanks for the feedback!!! The more feedback – the better I can understand how I should do things in future. 🙂
yes, paypal on the website would be really good. very easy to install. look forward to seeing the Zine!
Okay – Tanya – the first issue of the zine is now up on http://www.mooncher.co.za (for free). I’m still struggling with the paypal thing though (I’ve ranted about it a bit in the comments below). Thanks again for the feedback – and hope you enjoy my crazy & odd little zine! 🙂
May I remind you before you sink into that mire of depression, that you did the zine for your own joy and satisfaction firstly….And it has given you huge joy and satisfaction!. Money would be nice….but its not the purpose. Your zine will take off..it is too unique not to…give it time….Perhaps it should go to a publishing house? but it shouldnt be about sucess…it should be about your love and your passion for simply doing your art! Meanwhile start thinking of your next zine!
You’re right, of course. My “go-to” place (in my head)…. and it’s almost like a knee-jerk reaction – is to sink into a funk if something doesn’t happen as “perfectly” as I imagined it would happen. You are right. I LOVE making these zines. LOVE it! Zines make me happy… and a big part of me HOPES that they’ll make other people happy too… but I need to stop obsessing about that side of the scenario… X
I too saw your zine announcement first thing this morning and thought, if I could pay with paypal I would buy that right now and give it a look before I even crawl out of bed.
I still want to buy it but have yet to dig out my credit card 😉
Thanks sooo much for the feedback, Andrea. I have since uploaded the first version on the website (free)… so now – anyone can download issue 1 for free.
The paypal thing is becoming an issue though. I can either insert a “buy” button – for which I’d need to set a price for the zine (and I don’t want to set a price – I have no idea what price to set, to be honest)… or there are “donate” buttons – but comes with a big, flashing disclaimer saying that only non-profits should use “donate” buttons (but, at least donate buttons allow the payer to pay what THEY want – unlike the stoopid “buy” buttons).
I kinda suck at these kinds of admin-related, money-related things. Makes me want to gnaw off a digit in frustration.
Anyhoo… the zine is UP (for free) from http://www.mooncher.co.za for anyone who wants it!
Thanks again for feeding-back!! 🙂
You are right about announcing it in a limited way.. I am hardly on Facebook anymore (I am a Google Plus’er) and I turned off the tons of spam I get sent in my email which might have led me to it… I only know about it because we met for coffee… so how to spread the word? I think you need to hand them out (which you did to me and I plan to share it) and get some real world word of mouth buzz going for it. The interwebs alone.. that will work once you have established some momentum.
Thanks for the thoughts, Soo… zactly some of the stuff I’m working on at the moment… X