Last week, Novelr profiled Amanda Hocking, whom they dubbed the very rich indie writer. Hocking is a 26-year-old woman who writes “paranormal romance” novels and publishes them herself through Amazon’s Kindle store. She’s been very successful, and has made a lot of money.
Her success has led to all sorts of speculation — as success will do — and comments from folks who think they could do what she does, too. They think she’s an overnight success. She recently posted a response at her website, and I like it. Here’s an excerpt:
This is literally years of work you’re seeing. And hours and hours of work each day. The amount of time and energy I put into marketing is exhausting. I am continuously overwhelmed by the amount of work I have to do that isn’t writing a book. I hardly have time to write anymore, which sucks and terrifies me.
If you read Hocking’s post, you might understand some of my own mindset over the past few years. Imagine that instead of discussing supernatural love stories, she’s writing about an unexpectedly successful personal-finance blog. There are some close parallels. I don’t mean that in a negative, complain-y way. I just mean to stress that yes, you can make it big doing something you love, but it’ll probably take a lot of hard work. (And luck. There’s always a bit of luck involved.)
Speaking of making money: There’s been a small flurry of online info about making more money lately. (You know this is one of my pet topics, right?) For example, Inc. magazine posted an article from Jason Fried about how to get good at making money. Fried’s list is targeted at small-business owners. Trent at The Simple Dollar responded with his own list of five easy steps to make money for average folks. Both articles are interesting.
Moving on: I’ve written before about the value of a neighborhood exchange — an informal system of borrowing and lending goods and services. David at My Two Dollars has a great list of items to share with your neighbors to save money. I realize that not everyone likes to borrow or lend things, but if you live in an area with good social capital, this can be a great way for everyone involved to save space and cash.
Since returning from Africa, I’ve been struggling to get everything done that needs to be done. There just aren’t enough hours in the day. So I was interested in the latest post at Pop Economics, which asks, “How much do you value your time?” Pop says the balance between time and money is tough to find — we want more of both. He’s actually experimenting with a personal assistant, which I like. I’ve been waiting for an average joe to do this and report on how it goes. (As opposed to somebody like Tim Ferriss, who makes it sound like a way to become superhuman.)
Google has gotten a lot of attention for the launch of One Pass, the all-in-one subscription plan for publishers that the search giant revealed earlier today — primarily because it made for a nice counterpoint to Apple’s new in-app subscription system, which launched on Tuesday. While Apple’s offering is closed and takes a big chunk of the revenue from publishers, Google’s takes a much smaller cut — and because it’s based on the web and not on controlling access to a walled garden, Google’s system is much more open. That said, however, it’s not at all clear that publishers will get anywhere by signing up for it, open or not.
The main benefits of Google’s plan are fairly obvious: It doesn’t force publishers to provide the company with preferential access to their customers, the way Apple does by requiring in-app purchasing for all subscription services, and Google is taking only 10 percent of the revenue any publishers bring in via its payment system, while Apple takes 30 percent of all subscription fees. On top of that, as MG Siegler notes, the One Pass system provides publishers with access to information about those who sign up — names, email addresses, zip codes and so on — which is crucial data that content companies use to market their services to advertisers. Apple turns this option off by default, and users have to opt in.
That’s the good news. The bad news? Google’s One Pass is pretty much just a warmed-over content paywall. All it does is collect the money for publishers who want to put up a toll-booth around their content. In fact, the thing it resembles the most — as Josh Benton of the Nieman Journalism Lab notes — is the Journalism Online Press+ system that entrepreneur Steven Brill and former Wall Street Journal executive Gordon Crovitz have been peddling to newspapers and magazines for the past year or more, without much success.
Like that system, Google’s service is essentially designed to handle the payment processing for multiple subscription sites, so users can theoretically sign up for dozens without worrying about being nickel-and-dimed by each one. There’s just one problem: There’s no sign that users have any interest in doing this — or at least, not in large enough numbers to make it work for anyone other than perhaps The Economist and the Wall Street Journal. Those who have put up new paywalls, including The Times of London, have seen the vast majority of their readers disappear into the wind.
One of the reasons users of Apple products like the iPhone and the iPad seem a lot more willing to pay for things like apps is because the experience is so much better and paying is so easy. Despite that, magazine and newspaper publishers have have had little success so far in getting people to pay for their apps. Why would it be any easier with Google’s One Pass? If anything, it’s likely to be even harder, because it’s based on the open web — and users are likely to notice that free content is all around them, while iPhone and iPad apps do a fairly good job of disguising that fact.
So congratulations to Google for making some hay with its launch, but any publisher who sees One Pass as some kind of golden ticket is dreaming in Technicolor.
Related GigaOM Pro content (sub req’d):
- How Media Companies Can Compete Online
- Demand Media — Search Spam or the Future of Content?
- Google Needs to Fix Its Spam Problem Even If It Hurts
Post and thumbnail courtesy of Flickr user David Kozlowski
Surface Encounters proudly ensures purchaser satisfaction and selling price setting up granite assurance. “I’m always skeptical going with new vendors, but your employees has built me a believer!” - Steve, Indianapolis
Surface Encounters is known as a fast-growing surface encounters business and, but they have stored tempo with all the recent client referrals. “This business is just about the most cost-effective, reliable and friendly vendors with the entire state. I'd advocate them to any one.” - Mike R., South Bend
A considerable amount of work goes into making attractive countertops from nature. The method incorporates laser measurement artistic vein matching, precision diamond and water-jet cutting, edging and skilled set up. One won't be able to simply just call in their purchase for a custom countertop and also have it inside of daily or two. High quality usually takes time.
Surface Encounters encourages most people to visit a showroom to discover alot more about normal stone countertops. Other than the variety and fabrication technique, a further very important piece of buyer treatment is making sure a single appreciates learn how to care for his or her granite countertop to maintain it seeking new for years to arrive.
Granite is really a beautiful pure stone product or service that is a trendy content employed for countertops and floor tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. Granite has surpassed marble in attractiveness considering that is it even more sturdy and easier to care for. Granite is unmatched by synthetic items for its strength and durability, tolerance to temperature improvements and resistance to stains and scratches.
Granite is usually a by natural means formed stone that is quarried from deep in the earth, harvested, minimize, polished, sealed and put in in homes to add elegance, elegance and type. Due to the fact it's a purely natural merchandise, no two slabs are precisely alike. Granite is accessible in numerous hues in the numerous minerals which might be uncovered with the rock. Since it arrives from all over the entire world, completely different regions and environmental factors make it one of a kind.
Granite is primarily developed up of quartz crystal, but it also comprises many quantities of other metals which includes feldspar, mica, copper and iron. Some granite may contain bits of gold or silver. The amount of every metal is dependent on the region it arrives from. All granite is formed into a really difficult stone by warmth and strain. Rain adds other minerals as it is forming. It's on hand all over the world, in every last nation, and each area will develop a surface encounters different variety of granite.
Surface Encounters state-of-the-art machinery makes sure the greatest level of quality finished solution because they layout and generate several of the very best kitchens and bathrooms. Granite Countertops improve the warmth and beauty of properties whereas increasing their value and improving lifestyles.
Surface Encounters can be concerned with employee morale; glad personnel are even more very likely to contribute towards the success of the business. Additionally to currently being a triumphant firm and 1 which is awesome to give good results for, Surface Encounters does their aspect to protect our planet.
Surface Encounters does what on earth is appropriate for his or her potential customers, workers plus the environment. Surface Encounters uses innovative drinking water recycling capabilities to recycle up to 43,000 gallons of h2o daily. On top of that, 100 % from the scrap produced in constructing tasteful kitchens and attractive baths is re-used as aggregate in street making, surface preparations and concrete.
The Columbus, Ohio Grand Opening of Surface Encounters functions an art gallery showroom of Granite, Marble, Quartz and Engineered Stone counter tops. Store Manager, Scott Donnelly unlocked the doorways for the showroom at 4717 Roberts Street, just west of your I-270 Beltway. The Surface Encounters production plan makes use of precision, automated solutions all through the fabrication with the customer's personalized counter major, these kinds of as: a laser measuring alignment that plans the diamond-tipped sculpturing blades. Surface Encounters' course of action comprises computer-driven software program that perpetuates the stone's all natural veins. Any Surface Encounter save has at the least a person registered, interior designer to assist you in designing the completed venture that you're seeking for. The craftsmanship continues through the
House owners are deciding to remodel instead than promote their real estate in today’s industry
Granite countertops have become a top choice among Wixom customers for kitchen remodeling projects. Kitchen remodeling is often the first project tackled with households shelling out 3,000 hours or more each year in their kitchen. Granite countertops give an setting that enhances the quality time invested with family and acquaintances. Granite countertops final a lifetime and better the superior of properties.
Surface Encounters Wixom keep manager, Sal Dellacasa, says there are various reasons individuals are selecting granite for his or her countertop needs. “Granite countertops add splendor and elegance to a kitchen. Granite is offered in a very variety of vibrant hues and rich textures and its strength and sturdiness is unmatched by any other purely natural stone or artificial countertop material.”
Surface Encounters’ buyers enjoy skilled services as well as a friendly, practical employees to guide them through the kitchen remodeling system. A lot of of Surface Encounters new clientele are referred to them by previous potential customers.
"This enterprise has become the most reasonable, trusted, and pleasant agencies with the whole state. I might highly recommend them to anybody." Mike R. Clinton Twp., MI
"The organisation has consistently been there to assist me in whatsoever way achievable. Thank you a lot!" David V. Lapeer, MI
Surface Encounters Macomb may be the residential home of half-off granite for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Granite countertops by Surface Encounters have promptly turned out to be the prime choice for Macomb residents who are remodeling their kitchens. Kitchen remodeling requires priority with households shelling out three,000 hrs or more each year in their kitchen. Granite countertops provide an natural environment that enhances the outstanding time put in with loved ones and pals and enhance the high quality of real estate.
Surface Encounters Macomb retailer manager, Sal Dellacasa, says there are various good reasons individuals are choosing granite for his or her countertop needs. “Granite countertops add elegance and elegance to a kitchen. Granite is accessible inside of a selection of vibrant hues and loaded textures and its strength and sturdiness is unmatched by any other surface encounters all natural stone or synthetic countertop content.”
Surface Encounters’ prospects like expert service plus a friendly, practical staff to tutorial them with the kitchen remodeling system. A large number of of Surface Encounters new users are referred to them by past prospects.
No comments:
Post a Comment