Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael01  However, my contention (and that of others with similar projects) is that projects of this nature present opportunities for growth that might not otherwise be available. |
The really big problem is that a zine that offers no money offers no incentive for quality submissions, and additionally is usually lacking a business plan to actually generate such growth.
I think the criticisms made are very very valid - so to counter them you really need to address them.
If you do, what you'll immediately find is that you have costs and must generate profits, and unless the latter cover the former, you have something crashing down in flames.
I see lots of "ezines" on the net that publish any old crap, then disappear - the problem being that the owners, in having no real financial stake in the success of the site, have no real incentive to address the risk and cost of growth. Therefore they just fold.
Sure, there's nothing wrong with people publishing for fun in this manner - but on the one hand, there's little readership to appreciate it, and on the other, little credit - real or imagined - for any writers to gain from it.
I've always had it in my long-term pipe to set up an ezine on chronicles - but if and when we reach that point, I'll have a proper editor to view submissions, submissions will be paid for, and people will need to pay to read them. And that's a tough deal to make a success. Hence why I'm not pushing on that front yet.
Bottom line is - what can any such project:
1. Offer readers
2. Offer writers
There needs to be perceived value in all respects.
2c.