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SPA REFOCUS THREAD

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Wed Aug 20 2008, 06:09AM

Grand Poobah

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I want to spend a bit of effort getting the SPA back to it's strong roots, so we can get growing again.

the SPA was founded with a simple goal: "To build better tools for creators, publishers, and fans of their work, to make it more likely that they can survive in today's tough markets."

We've got a lot of baggage on it all now, things that have us all a bit befuddled and unfocused. I think it's high time we get a solid idea of what the SPA is, who is in it and what we are doing, together, to reach the goal of the group.

I want to hear your thoughts, folks, this is the time to air your opinion on what we do wrong, how we can fix it, and otherwise, what we can do to bust the roof off this place and send light beams into the heavens for all to see, attract them over to the cause.

Ian Shires, CEO
P.O. Box 214
Madison, OH 44057

The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
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TOMM GABBARD

Wed Aug 20 2008, 06:41AM

BALD GOD

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my only complaint is shipping,
getting those orders filled and shipped in a timely manner,

i know your probably swamped with work,
but if the shipments go out late,
it may hinder repeat business.

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Wed Aug 20 2008, 09:36AM

Grand Poobah

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I agree completely and getting my order fullfillment record and system into order is going to be a major priority in the coming couple weeks. I know there's a number of things that are waiting to send that could have been sent if I was better organized.

I take all blame for the distractions and failings that have plagued the Distro. While it can be our #1 tool for profit and winning fans, I have not managed it correctly. The new software we moved to between Idol Rounds 3+4 will highly increase our ability to "Get things done"

As soon as I unpack the stuff.

Ian Shires, CEO
P.O. Box 214
Madison, OH 44057

The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
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TOMM GABBARD

Wed Aug 20 2008, 10:33AM

BALD GOD

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sounds good sir!

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Wed Aug 20 2008, 10:55AM

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1) An order form/catalog for retailers.

2) Advertise the SPA or whatever project is currently running everywhere (something that wasnt happening for IDOL for example)

3) Webcomics!

Wed Aug 20 2008, 11:50AM

Grand Poobah

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wrote ...

1) An order form/catalog for retailers.

definitely on the radar...we of course could use the support of more publishers to make it happen. Right now, we're looking at having trouble doing a simple ad book on a giveaway program. To translate that UP to a catalog aimed at retailers, is going to take more people believing in the SPA's ability to accomplish it, and I think that's going to fall back to that order fulfillment issue...I need to have the Dimestore end of things in gear and working correctly better (cause we're close! We're just not a cigar yet). The Distro is going to, when we kick it into real use, be the best tool the SPA has built. We'll be relying on the publishers to be ready and do their part to make it work. But I know there's a big part of it resting on my getting some things done soon.

wrote ...

2) Advertise the SPA or whatever project is currently running everywhere (something that wasn't happening for IDOL for example)

I would have loved to promote and advertise the Idol contest more this year. Fact of the matter is, on a personal side, my family has gone through some major poop, and are just now, after having moved, ready to get back on track. I was only barely able to direct my attention on things for many months, to keep it all together. This year has been tough, not that that would ever stop me. Been to the bottom a couple times. I think the SPA, as a whole, needs to GET BIGGER, we need to have other people just as interested in it's success as I am...and just as able to work on things, as I do. The SPA cannot be just me doing most of the stuff. An Advertising/PR Manager would be great. Could it be a paying position? Maybe in the future, if the SPA ever got it's mind into making some real $$ to go after the bigger projects we've talked about for years. The Hall of Fame. Etc. It's very easy to look and say "wow, there should have been more effort on advertising" - what is hard, is to get enough people to care enough, to actually make it happen for next year. I hope no one thinks I'm being defensive or anything, I'm actually trying to be motivational. I believe in the goals and ideals of the SPA, and will not give up on it even in the darkest hours I walk through. I want to work with people who are just as dedicated and passionate about it.

wrote ...

3) Webcomics!

I am going to be re-examining that need ASAP! I've been saying that since 03 at least. Researching what it would take to get something to work in how we're set up, is on my list, but, it's not top priority yet. If anyone wants to help us investigate, discuss or otherwise get to the nitty gritty of it, we can split that off to a new thread to discuss.

[ Edited Wed Aug 20 2008, 11:52AM ]

Ian Shires, CEO
P.O. Box 214
Madison, OH 44057

The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
Forum Code of Conduct: {{Click URL Link}}

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Wed Aug 20 2008, 01:09PM

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I can help with many things, except for advertisement and computer technical stuff. (I already have a lot of projects running involving many people and everyone acts like I have to be the one doing the promo around, -a really weird thing if you have in mind how many enemies I have in the greek scene

)

For Webcomics, I surely can help you organize something, I was webcomics editor for 2,5 years in a greek portal for comics. Butm I'll need aaall those things I sent u a pm about.

(The one I wont do, is getting interviews thought

)

Wed Aug 20 2008, 06:13PM

Grand Poobah

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we'll definitely discuss more in private then, when I catch up on e-mails....gimmie a day or two....then nudge me!

Ian Shires, CEO
P.O. Box 214
Madison, OH 44057

The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
Forum Code of Conduct: {{Click URL Link}}

RHughes

Thu Aug 21 2008, 10:00AM

What I do when no one is watching...

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I'm still a big proponent of a How To section in the forums themselves to allow for discussion and the sharing of ideas. I've noticed a section to the left that allows for articles to be posted, which is a great start, but does it allow for discussion on the topic, or is it just a place to read articles?

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Thu Aug 21 2008, 11:57AM

Grand Poobah

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I'm still trying to figure out the settings needed to do what we want in there. I hope to have a full understanding and get it ready for actual use very soon. It will be 1000X better than a forum-based how-to when I get it set right. But I do understand the I want it now factor. I will work on this!

Ian Shires, CEO
P.O. Box 214
Madison, OH 44057

The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
Forum Code of Conduct: {{Click URL Link}}

Fri Aug 22 2008, 07:02AM

Grand Poobah

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I think I have the How To section set up to the standard and needs of the SPA at this time. You will note a new Submit How To link at the top of the site, you can get to it a couple ways, but that makes it easy.

You can submit How To articles in plain text, or with bbcode, or limited (very basic) html formatting. You can edit and re-edit your article to experiment on display.

you have control over whether you allow comments on it right under the article, or not.

You also can upload images to use in the article.

I hope this can help get the SPA growing and become a center for information again.

Ian Shires, CEO
P.O. Box 214
Madison, OH 44057

The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
Forum Code of Conduct: {{Click URL Link}}

Noppie

Mon Aug 25 2008, 09:25AM

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I support the SPA in my back@$$ way.

Many years ago I setup and Angry Dog press checking account. At first I did this and followed none of the normal business rules. When I need money to pay a bill for non comic book stuff. BUT about 3 years or so ago I began depositing all my convention sales. mail order and distributor sales into the that checking account. I had been doing my taxes with turbo tax and it would say I made x number of dollars from my combine sales. BUT it never felt like I was making money. I also pay for comic book publishing expensive out of that checking account. I do cheat and have money deposit every two weeks from day job paycheck and all my e-bay sales. It is a mental thing. YES you can do all that in a ledger without actually having real checking account which will cost you some money each month. But it is an ideal.

I support advertising the SPA
I support a catalog for retailers even if it only a PDF
I support some type of fund raising whether it be t-shirts, bags or an anthology
I support the return of the Printing Service

Noppie
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www.angrydogpress.net

Mon Aug 25 2008, 10:02AM

Grand Poobah

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Dimestore has had it's own bank account since '88...

Ian Shires, CEO
P.O. Box 214
Madison, OH 44057

The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
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Mon Aug 25 2008, 12:54PM

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Hmmm...an anthology....interes ting...one for a good cause let's say, pitched to Diamond, published by them since it's for a cause it wont be hard to accept with a decent artwork, and advertising this way SPA...

Mon Aug 25 2008, 01:50PM

Grand Poobah

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The SPA has been doing Mysterious Visions Anthology for 5 years now...

Ian Shires, CEO
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The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
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Mon Aug 25 2008, 02:18PM

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That's another thing, the idea is to get more people to know SPA, I'm talking about a whole different anthology book just for this.

Mon Aug 25 2008, 06:52PM

Grand Poobah

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Well, I'm not about to tackle another publishing project, But I think I understand what you're saying: Do a special SPA AWARENESS issue directed at the mainstream.

If you have an official project proposal, We'll have to get you to look over the SPA charter, and present it as an official project, and see what we can do with it...

Ian Shires, CEO
P.O. Box 214
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The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
Forum Code of Conduct: {{Click URL Link}}

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Tue Aug 26 2008, 01:16AM

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First of all, for a project like this, we have to find a cause. And after that, starting to organize the book itself.

Tue Aug 26 2008, 04:15AM

Grand Poobah

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You're confusing me. I thought the CAUSE was the SPA itself.

After that, we need someone to be project leader on it, who will co-ordinate what goes in it, and when, and otherwise manage the effort.

If you are volunteering to lead such a project, then we need you to make an official statement to that effect...otherwise, you're just tossing out ideas for others...and we already have more things of that nature than we can handle.

Please read in the Charter: {{Click URL Link}}

Section 3C and section 5

Ian Shires, CEO
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The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
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Tue Aug 26 2008, 08:49AM

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Oooh, that's what you meant about a "charter"

Let me explain, the cause IS the SPA for US. The goal is to get more eyes on the SPA, publicity to the site, the SPI etc.

In order to do this, the idea was to publish an anthology under a big name as Diamond.
In order to get more sales and this wont be "just another anthology from a company nobody ever heard of" -and mainstream readers never heard of the SPA, that's what this is all about-, AND, to be more easy to get accepted by Diamond as well, I said to attach the anthology to a fundraiser cause. So we first need to find that cause.

I said this as an idea, but I can be its project manager as well if you like, I sort of done this before anyway.
But, this will need more persons, first for the fundraiser deal, at least 2 more people for the submissions etc. I can't get on my shoulders all the "who's in and who's not" excitement, people don't know me here, and they don't know if I can handle a position like this and judge everybody's work.

Tue Aug 26 2008, 10:20AM

Grand Poobah

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Well see what you can work up, start a new thread telling the SPA in general what you need, and we'll see if it jells!

Ian Shires, CEO
P.O. Box 214
Madison, OH 44057

The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
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samcclung65

Fri Aug 29 2008, 02:23PM

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My thoughts on the SPA refocus:

Start with the very basics.

The SPA is about comics.

Creating comics and reading comics.

Providing tools for creators.

Providing easy access for readers.

Main tool: the website, a central place for creators all over the world to gather and share (discussion, news, reviews, critiques, help/tutorials, collaborations, galleries, etc.)

Other tools: printing service, Distro, SP imprint, SP! Magazine, Small Press Idol, IndyFest, advertising, other stuff I can't remember at the moment.

Access for readers: Many of the above help get comics in reader hands, advertising, Distro, the Imprint, conventions.

I'm gonna stop here, as I wanted to just keep to the basics.

Scott

Fri Aug 29 2008, 02:45PM

Grand Poobah

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It's amazing what the SPA has covered in it's short time...huh?

Question then: Main tool - the website - have we finally gotten things fairly right with findability and function, and speed?

Ian Shires, CEO
P.O. Box 214
Madison, OH 44057

The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
Forum Code of Conduct: {{Click URL Link}}

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Sat Aug 30 2008, 04:55AM

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Not exactly there by my opinion. For a new member, the SPA is too complicated. When I first got here, I had to try a lot to get an 80% of what this is all about.

(In my case I was never interested in the Small Press as a scene and how it function, but still)

Sat Aug 30 2008, 05:21PM

Grand Poobah

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I'll grant that there's A LOT to it, but, isn't it all easier to find now with those section links on the left?

Ian Shires, CEO
P.O. Box 214
Madison, OH 44057

The SPA Charter: {{Click URL Link}}
Forum Code of Conduct: {{Click URL Link}}

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