Saturday, April 17, 2010

Sellsumers - the next entrepreneurial wave?

I stumbled across an article headline that used a term I was unfamiliar with: 'Sellsumers'. It caught my attention - the opening paragraph reads thusly:

"In Trendwatching.com’s latest briefing report, the independent trend observation firm believes it has spotted a new trend. It claims that during these recessionary times, many ordinary consumers will increasingly become a new class of consumers called the sellsumers. Due to 'a recession-induced need for cash' and 'an ever-growing infrastructure that allows individuals to act as (part-time) entrepreneurs', many consumers will look for multiple ways to make money, instead of just spending it."

And although it goes on to talk about people creating various kinds of online stores to resell products or use affiliate marketing to make extra cash, I started to think about how this way of thinking applied to The Biracy Project model.

It is a low cost way for members can earn sales commissions for referring people to the project. The only guaranteed overhead is the cost of the membership. They can use their creative and persuasive marketing skills to link interested consumers with projects relevant to their interests. There is no obligation to promote, although the returns can be great if some elbow grease is applied. Why not earn money for promoting something one is interested in?

Maybe in future, successful sellsumers will be able to promote their skills on their resumes?! With the penetration and coverage that social media can offer these days, it certainly seems likely that the term 'sellsuming' will form a very important new way of earning cash and gaining reputation.

Friday, April 16, 2010

SoKap is accepting projects!

Great news for film makers and indeed, creative projects everywhere!
Listed on SoKap co-founder Dave Geertz's blog today:

"The Biracy Project and its technology platform SoKap is now ready to begin working with other producers of media.

Our platform is moving to its next stage of BETA development and we are looking for films (features and/or shorts), transmedia projects, graphic novels, gamers, musicians and other creative projects in
various stages of development, production and completion to showcase.

We are seeking between 20 -25 projects at this time so space is limited.

While the platform can be used for projects of any size, we are looking for projects that are truly independent in nature and not tied other complex financing partners.

If you would like us look at your project and contact you about this please take a moment to fill in our confidential form and we will contact you shortly. Please allow 5 days for us to review and get back to you."

Check it out here.

Monday, March 22, 2010

The SoKap Survey for Creative People

The SoKap platform designers are looking for ways to ensure that the platform they create matches the needs of its users. So if you're a creative-type, looking for a way to start getting attention and funding for your project, head here and fill out this short survey.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Dave Geertz Answers Questions From Lucy Temple

Screenwriter Lucy Temple has asked some excellent questions of Biracy CEO Dave Geertz, which he answers in a short video.  I've summed up the q&a period here, but I do recommend watching the video for more details on each question.

1. What happens if you don't reach your minimum financial goal?

A budget of $500,000 is the required minimum goal to actually begin the movie.
The ideal goal is to get 1 million members and with the varying membership levels from $25 to $200, that would mean a healthy and flexible budget.  Not reaching the financial goal of 500K will mean the project does not go ahead.

2. What is the project deadline?
Cutoff date is 1 year from inception, that is Jan 1st, 2011.

3. Clarify what happens with Kaps (rewards points) distribution - when will they be converted into cash?

Kaps will be converted into cash directly from VOD and DVD sales from the site immediately.  Traditional methods of distribution conventionally have a longer window of revenue return, but as soon as Biracy receives the money it will be handed out to the members according to their Kaps.  The best way to increase a member's Kaps is to actively engage in selling the DVD from the website itself.

4. Is there a use-by date on Krill and Kaps?

Essentially they are valid as long as SoKap is a functioning platform - hopefully forever!  The SoKap platform should be available to other producers soon. If you are not active at all for an entire three year period , 50% will go to charity, Binoir Media (the company behind Biracy and SoKap) will retain the remaining 50%.

5. How will you distribute the end film?
  • On demand theatrical geo-mapping component, such as requesting it in your own theatre.
  • DVDs ordered online from Vancouver DVD manufacturing company
  • TV broadcast licenses.
  • Hopefully some festivals when the invitations start rolling in.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

A video explaining how Crowdfunding works in The Biracy Project

A new video from the Biracy gang explaining what crowdfunding is (and ISN'T) and how it is applied to the various membership models.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Screenwriting Contest about to Begin!!

Have you written a science fiction screenplay that's gathering mothballs instead of getting made into a kick ass film? Here's your chance: from March 1-31, 2010, the biracy project is accepting completed scripts. The winning script will go down in history as the first film made using the SoKap funding model, oh, and the scriptwriter will get money... and glory.

So brush off those scripts and send 'em in! You have to be a member to join. But that's only $25! Oh and you can't be related to, or live with any of the biracy project staff. Fair's fair, eh?!

Click here to go to the page all about this!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Live Event: March 10, 2010 in Winnipeg, Canada

The National Screen Institute of Canada have invited Jon Reiss & David Geertz to host a panel discussion on film marketing, distribution & finance in the digital age.

The venue is to be confirmed, but you can learn more about on this facebook page.