Wetlook World Forum

Message # 25187.1.1

Subject: Re: Got it in one!

Date: Wed 11/10/06 06:38:31 GMT

Name: Wet Guy

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Website:

By Graham (Styx) - Wed 11/10/06 06:35:40 GMT

Website:

That's what Styx did with StyxWetWorld (and then StyxWetDenim and StyxTake2). We filled a gap that was then in the market for quality wetlook productions - photos and video. We devised a 4-year plan to capitalise on this and produce what was missing, and we also innovated by coming up with long-term membership plans before anyone else.

As the 4-year plan progressed, we added variants on the product and altered the pricing plans and qualities to cater for different people's needs and spending power. We constantly varied the models and locations to avoid "one model" fatigue. At the height of membership, this coincided with the end of our 4-year plan. Before anyone got tired of the format, we pulled the plug and we're back planning something new.

The only thing we did wrong was not realise that we'd personally get tired of the same format and that we'd want to change it, even though our customers didn't. Everything else went to plan and we had 4 fun years of running the sites and fullfilling people's dreams. And then it's time to move on, innovate and come back with the next product that we hope will fill market expections. Of course, all this sounds contrived and like we're "making cars" (to use your analogy). But we wouldn't have done it for the money 'cos it's not that great. But working to a plan meant it was fun, we didn't lose money, gained a lot of respect from our customers and left them wanting more (according to their emails).

Graham (Styx)

By Wet Guy - Wed 11/10/06 05:58:49 GMT

Website:

You have a ton of competition out there, some of it good, some of it not so good.  You can see from the messages that many people who tried to make a business out of this have struggled.  That's what capitalism is all about - you see a need in the market, produce a product, promote it, and wait for the cash register to ring.  If you aren't getting the response you expect - that tells you that the market is not all that interested in your product.  Sad but true.

I would be willing to bet that Leon is doing very well.  He's figured it out in my opinion:  multiple sites (products) under a single respected brand (Leonmoomin).  He's got a variety of models, venues, etc.  always seeking the next hit, always experimenting.  I don't like everything he does (can do without the Thailand stuff) but find his other material to be always fresh and sensual.  My guess is that you are running into "Jennifer fatigue" ... a single model can only garner so much attention and interest over time and then it becomes ho-hum.

Now, I have subscribed to various sites over time but my purchases come and go.  It's tough to keep someone interested with all the choices out there, plus the absolute ton of free stuff.  I'd say over the last year I've spend around $500.  I only buy if I see stuff (free previews, etc.) that I really, really like, and I am convinced it is going to keep coming.  That's hard for a producer to do - but that's the nature of the challenge.

As a student of economics, I find this whole topic very, very interesting as a case in free competition.  There's a message board for easy access and product promotion to the market, a whole variety of producers with competing products that they try hard to differentiate, differing pricing schemes from pay per view or pay per download to a whole variety of subscriptions, and the benefit of immediate feedback from your target audience about your material through the message board.  What could be a better free market (perfect information to buyers and sellers) than that?  At the end of the day, products that continually meet the expectations of the buyers win, while those that don't continue to evolve and capture interest lose out.  Weather we are talking about GM and Ford not being able to sell their cars against Nissan and Toyota or the low ratings of CNN compared to Fox there is a simple answer:  people have choices and buy from those who produce products they deem to best meet their needs.

Oh well, that's Economics 101 for today.  Facinating stuff to me.  We are seeing the market at work every time we sign on to the forum.

Wet Guy