My most recent article is a cover story about augmented reality called mirrorworld. Kevin kelly has written many books, his latest is called the inevitable. He has also been a writer, photographer, conservationist, and student of asian and digital culture. He gets by on an estimated 200 true fans because he also publishes in the traditional manner with advances from a publisher supported by thousands of lesser fans. Oct 25, 2017 in my interview with him, kelly told me about his journeys in asia, his thoughts about chinas future, his books, and the idea behind the concept of having 1,000 true fans. The essay went viral, and with the prevalence of crowdfunding, independent artists, and usergenerated content, its more relevant today than ever. In a world of millions, how hard can it be to find just a thousand people who really like what you have to offer. Finding 1,000 true fans is actually very achievable, as long as you take the right steps.
Hes the founding executive editor of wired magazine and a former editorpublisher of the. How many true fans you need to be successful if you are a small business you basically want to turn customers into true fans. Wired magazine cofounder kevin kelly introduced the idea of 1,000 true fans in a classic article. Former wired editor kevin kelly famously argued that 1,000 superfans is all you need for success as a creator authors, musicians, artists anyone who sells things they create.
Summary of 1,000 true fans by kevin kelley enlightened owl digital. Since my introduction to wired magazine, which he cofounded in the early 1990s, ive marveled at his ability to synthesize ideas, analyze and predict technology trends. Jul 20, 2018 the concept of the true fan or superfan was birthed from scientist and wired magazine editor kevin kelly in the late 1990s. A superfan is someone who will buy anything you produce and sing your praises to anyone who will listen, winning you potential new fans for your books. For instance, the chapter devoted to the amish could be boring for many people including me but, after that one, it is possible to find others much more interesting. You just need 1,000 true fans who are willing to pay you.
To make a living as a creator, you need just 1,000 true fans. His idea was that success wasnt a matter of having millions of fans, but a smaller group of supportive and passionate individuals. This article is a must read for any entrepreneur, artistan, or content creator. Neuropsychologist rick hanson thinks its because our brains are wired to have a disproportionate reaction to bad news. Why it takes true fans to get the results you want michael. The concept of 1,000 true fans was popularized by wired editor and bestselling author kevin kelly. But they can have enough success to sustain a profitable business if they cultivate 1,000 true fans. A creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, videomaker, or author in other words, anyone producing works of art needs to acquire only 1,000 true fans. This blog entry by wired editor kevin kelly provides recommendations to artists on how to survive in a competitive industry and. In 2008, wired cofounder and technologist kevin kelly predicted how the internet and email would allow creators to be independent. But in every case, cultivating my true fans enriches the route i choose. If you are looking for a roadmap to build your business idea to true fans and beyond, look no further. Wired magazines senior editor kevin kelly wrote a great post this week called 1,000 true fans, and its been getting a lot of attention around the blogosphere. My other published writings are listed here, in chronological.
Hes known globally as the founding executive editor of wired magazine. This blog entry by wired editor kevin kelly provides recommendations to artists on how to survive in a competitive industry and showcases examples of artists who grew a largeenough following to support. Encouraging friends and family to subscribe to your newsletter is a good start on the road toward 1,000 true fans, but building a popular paid newsletter is a longterm creative project. Theres no doubt about it its a great time in history to build a business and sell your services online. Books mentioned in tools of titans by timothy ferris. Ive heard it said before all you need are 1,000 true fans. This revisited essay appears in tim ferriss new book, tools of titans. The inevitable a 33voices interview with kevin kelly. He is also editor and publisher of the cool tools website, which gets half a million unique visitors per month.
Bootstrapping with a 1,000 true fans mereo by michel. When we first read it, we were still in college, sitting in our crappy apartment, trying to come up with an amazing idea for a business. Wired magazines senior editor kevin kelly wrote a great post this week called 1,000 true fans, and its been getting a lot of attention around. This short, clear book introduces you to the true fan income model.
This idea was first proposed by kevin kelly founder of wired magazine and arguably one of the most interesting humans alive in a blog post back in 2008 the idea is simple. Access a free summary of 1,000 true fans, by kevin kelly and 20,000 other business, leadership and nonfiction books on getabstract. My title is senior maverick for wired, a magazine i helped cofound 25 years ago. For instance, the chapter devoted to the amish could be boring for many people including me but, after that. It requires hard work and up to three years of consistency. He cofounded wired in 1993, and served as its executive editor from its inception until 1999. Some people will read this and immediately understand. It has influenced many successful people who have built livelihoods and fortunes on its principals since it was written and is widely referenced, so it is nice to get have read in the original. It describes what i believe will be what happens after the web and smart phones. Chris anderson my successor at wired named this effect the long tail, for the. In his blog post 1,000 true fans kelly writes, i dont know the actual true number, but i think a dedicated artist could cultivate 1,000 true fans, and by their direct support using new technology, make an honest living. The 1,000 true fans theory is commonly cited as the single most critical piece of business advice for any online entrepreneur. The future book is here, but its not what we expected wired.
Simple ways to master technology and create true fans with. True fans are sometimes called superfans or uberfans, depending on whose. The true fan model helps a number of artists achieve smallscale success and avoid vanishing in the obscurity of the long tail. Kevin kelly, cofounder wired magazine, author of the. Others will read it and start waffling over the meaning of true. Some of his books are amazingsome, not so much, but no matter what, i read every single one. Predicting, shaping, and living in the future, with kevin. He joins us to talk specifics on this concept and how technology will change in the next 20 years for building tribes of superfans. A helpful andor enlightening book, inspite of its obvious shortcomings. This is kevin kellys best riff of the year, and thats saying an enormous amount. It was called 1,000 true fans and it is a game changing idea. In 2008, wired founder kevin kelly wrote an essay titled simply true fans. Kevin kellys 1,000 true fans predicted the future of online.
The entire book was published online for his true fans, and then later in paper for all his fans. Kelly is the founding executive editor of wired magazine, where he now has the baller title of senior maverick. I wrote this book to help other entrepreneurs learn how a smaller, more loyal audience is better than a larger, disengaged one. How to gain true fans kevin kelly on london real youtube.
What a breathe of fresh air it is to read a book without call of the fluff to make it longer. Growing an online empire is as easy as gaining the loyalty of 1,000 true fans. People who love your book, tell others about your book, and read all the books you write. To get to a thousand true fans, kelly advises you to build a direct relationship with. The confessions of the hacker who saved the internet. A new era of cyberwar and the hunt for the kremlins most dangerous hackers. For nearly three decades now, kevin kelly has been one of the more prolific technology thinkers and journalists of our time. Jul 20, 2018 in 2008, wired founder kevin kelly wrote an essay titled simply true fans. Thats right, all you need is 1,000 diehard followers who will snatch up.
A creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, videomaker, or author in other words, anyone producing works of art needs to acquire only 1,000 true fans to make a living. The 1,000 true fans theory by wired magazines senior maverick kevin kelly states that all an artist needs is 1,000 true fans to maintain a fruitful, if unspectacular, career. Kelly essentially argues that to be a success online, you dont need a huge audience. The true fans theory is an idea from kevin kelly that a lot of producers and musicians really need to start thinking about when pursuing their music career. When to interact with your fans yourself and when to outsource it. When we first read it, we were still in college, sitting in our crappy apartment, trying to come up with an amazing idea for a. He argued that most creators wont ever see blockbuster success. Good morning people, in a 2008 essay, kevin kelly, the founding executive editor of wired magazine, brought to life the concept of a 1,000 true fans. In 2008, kelly wrote an essay defining his theory of 1,000 true fans. Visit the tim ferriss book club to find a new book each month or so thats changed my life. The 1,000 true fans theory was proposed by wired magazines senior maverick kevin kelly back in 2008 and states that all an artist needs is 1,000 true fans to maintain a fruitful, if unspectacular, career, thereby relieving the artist of the need for some of the nastier things in life as a regular job. Interview of kevin kelly, cofounder of wired, polymath, most interesting man in the world. This video summarizes an article by kevin kelly titled true fans. Oct 19, 2017 this video summarizes an article by kevin kelly titled true fans.
Founded in 1993, wired magazine focuses on how emerging technologies affect culture, the economy, and politics. How kevins article true fans explains the power of true fans versus publicity from a third party. Thinking about the possibilities of the 1,000 true fans theory was incredibly inspiring at the time. Aug 22, 2018 kevin kelly made a big splash with his blog 1,000 true fans back in 2008. The major point the author tries to express is that if your business centers around creation, then you can successfully turn your passion into your profession with a much. It is unfair since a bad book does not deserve to be finished and this one could be seen in some parts as a bad book that already made its whole point. I believe the 1,000 true fans concept will be useful to anyone making. The marketing books i read during my 3year international business study weren t. Kevin kellys 1,000 true fans predicted the future of. There are plenty of talented people in the music industry making a living each year that are not celebrities.
You can consider me one of john grishams 1,000 true fans. Learn more about voluntary simplicity this american life, episode 50 with kevin kelly. Kelly was born in pennsylvania on august 14, 1952, and. A 20step process for finding your 1,000 true fans copyblogger. How to build 1,000 superfans when youre starting from. I remember back in 2009, when i was starting my business, i came across an essay called 1,000 true fans written by kevin kelly, senior editor at wired. How many true fans you need to be successful if you are a small business you basically want to. In my interview with him, kelly told me about his journeys in asia, his thoughts about chinas future, his books, and the idea behind the concept. He called it the 1,000 true fans theory of market building. Why it takes true fans to get the results you want. How to attract, keep, and get paid by your 1,000 true fans.
Instead of trying to reach the narrow and unlikely peaks of platinum bestseller hits, blockbusters, and celebrity status, you can aim for direct connection with a thousand true fans. Back in 2008, the editor of wired magazine, kevin kelly wrote this article that was almost prophetic for the online business movement that we are experiencing today. Apr 25, 2019 the 1,000 true fans theory was proposed by wired magazines senior maverick kevin kelly back in 2008 and states that all an artist needs is 1,000 true fans to maintain a fruitful, if unspectacular, career, thereby relieving the artist of the need for some of the nastier things in life as a regular job. For those that may not have already seen it, i wanted to share a great article, true fans, written by the cofounding editor of wired magazine kevin kelley. Jun 12, 2017 wired magazine cofounder kevin kelly introduced the idea of 1,000 true fans in a classic article.
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