One Thousand True Fans
July 28th, 2008,A blog article by Kevin Kelly discusses an alternative model to the naive “Rock Star or Bust” business model which most professional artists work towards. Kelly’s model is referred to as “1000 True Fans” or the micro-patronage system.
The basic argument goes like this: if you can find 1000 fans who are willing to spend $100 per year on your work, then you’ll earn $100,000 gross income that year. Seeking that goal will actually generate more income, because for every True Fan (eg, who spends $100), you’ll have found other fans willing to pay less per year.
In seeking this goal, as opposed to the mass-media goals of pre-modern technological paradigms, a different set of marketing, development, and production technologies can be used quite efficiently.
This leads me back to my constant question of whether to pursue fine art or commercial photography. It seems like it is far easier for me to find fine art business models which I think I could effectively employ.