Currently, I’m reading a book called:
“Marvel Comics: The Untold Story” by Sean Howe.
It’s a lot of stuff their PR people don’t really want known.
At least, that’s the gist of it, I believe.
Anyway, I’m only 100 or so pages in.
And, I read a paragraph from the book about its original founder – pre-60’s, before it got huge. And the business model sounded incredibly similar to many of the early shameless internet marketing “guru” eBook peddlers’ attitudes back in the 90’s and early 2000’s, and in some cases even more flagrant today.
Here is the quote I am talking about:
“He [Goodman, original owner of the company that would become Marvel Comics] devised a simple formula for success: ‘If you get a title that catches on, then add a few more,’ he told Literary Digest, ‘you’re in for a nice profit.’ It was all about staying on top of trends, not providing anything more than disposable literature. ‘Fans,’ he decreed, ‘are not interested in quality.”
Here’s why I bring it up:
It’s very easy to get seduced by following trends, get a shallow grip on one, then become an “expert” and sell it, only to hop to a new trend soon after.
Example:
If you’ve ever seen someone go from being an expert about Facebook one day, to being a storytelling expert the next day, then a manifestation coach the next day, followed by being a crypto currency goo-roo, etc, you’ve seen this business model in action – even if they don’t have the same ruthless nature as the old eBook kings did.
I’m not saying that doesn’t work.
But, it’s not ideal for a long term, solid business model.
Speaking of which:
The June “Email Players” issue is all about the business model I think works much better.
And, can be a lot more rewarding than being yet another former social media coach-turned-crypto expert.
Here’s the link to subscribe:
Ben Settle
