Hi Scott
Jeff Bach here at Quietwater Films. Thanks for thinking enough of my note to Long Tail Chris to post it over here. The response and follow-up has crystallized this issue a bit for me. Perhaps one of the biggest things I've come to realize is that in addition to all the good things it represents, this Long Tail notion can be viewed as a "filter". This notion probably comes from someone else, maybe even Chris' book, so by no means am I claiming original credit for it. In my view, this filter treats everything equally and responds only to “input” that comes from the content creator/owner.
“Input” can be generally defined as 1)quality content, 2)the quantity of content, 3)effort, and 4)money.
This filter is a brutal, uncaring, but for the most part, neutral filter. Given enough "input", content tends to move through the "filter" away from the tail and towards the head of the curve. At some point, after enough input, the content is no longer a "Long Tail" entity but a "bestseller".
This filter responds mainly to “input” from the content owner. The fact that I am currently a micro seller of content brutally tells me that this "filter" is being correctly applied to me as it has been to countless others. I do not currently have enough “input” to achieve success in the expected sense. My content is not on the Red Carpet in Hollywood, nor is it a household name in the paddle sports world. Does this mean the world is against me? That big businesses are the only ones to survive? Does it mean that indie films of any sort are doomed?
What does it mean?
It simply means that my current success is in proportion to my current “input”. If I want more success, I have to give more “input”. No one or thing has hurt me or stopped me. Some have helped. That "input" thing is the limiting factor. The filter is telling me that I simply do not have enough quality, quantity, effort, or money. Happily, over time, I think this can change given continued "input" on my part.
The economy and civilization we live in is staggeringly large. The "input" requirement necessary to move up the tail, towards the head of this gigantic, fragmented, and complex entity is more than I am currently able to give. I think this explains why Hollywood is the way it is. Hwood simply has enough "input" to quickly move some chunk of its content up the curve towards the head. I do not, much like many other micro/small businesses and filmmakers, so my content moves up at a much slower rate, if it moves at all.
Over time I expect things to improve. Over time, I will continue giving “input” that will hopefully move my content up the tail. Hwood can “input” faster and more than I can, so it sees success more quickly and massively, in proportion to its input. My success is also in proportion to my input. And in the end, I think this is simply how our system works. The more you “put in” the more you “get out”. Brutal and uncaring but thankfully for the most part - neutral. We all have a chance and an opportunity for success and it all boils down to that “input”.
my .02 thx Jeff Bach
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posted by JBach @ 10/08/2007 10:38 PM
