Free but not worthless?

[Ry]

My last two projects (E6 and Raising the Stakes) have received a lot of attention, at least for free .pdfs (perhaps two dozen groups either running E6 games now or planning to do so soon).

My next project is also envisioned as a free .pdf, but unlike E6 and Raising the Stakes, this will be a collection of microfiction / game content rather than rules. It will also be much longer, although I could release it in smaller portions as well. The purpose of the project is creating a fully open fantasy iconography, and do my best to give up rights to it (i.e. allow use by others even if I am not given credit).

So this brings me to the issue of strategy: How do you give something away without creating the assumption that it is worthless?

 

[Khuxan]

I'd say one way is to encourage others to use it, which it seems you're already doing by making it CC/public domain. If people can see it has value to other people, they'll value it themselves.

What is a "fantasy iconography", by the way?

 

[Ry]

What is a "fantasy iconography", by the way?

Think of it as less than a setting but more than a gazeteer. Dictionary of Mu would be the closest product I can think of that already exists.

 

[Ilium]

I think the best way to attach value to a free product is through name recognition. Given the popularity of E6, I think "new stuff by rycanada" should be all the cred you need.

EDIT: Another way might be to associate with a known publisher who would be willing to help spread the word and distribute your product through their channels. I can't speak for any of them, but it seems to me that a decent-quality product given away for free (with the company logo as a "sponsor" on the title page) would be well worth the effort involved in uploading it to their store and any other costs associated with doing so.

 

[Sigurd]

Word of mouth is very powerful

I think you have to consider that your 'branding' of material is actually of some value.

I think Ilium has it right:

I think "new stuff by rycanada" should be all the cred you need.

Every positive contribution will give you fans and those fans will help you get credibility. Consider some sort of umbrella title or approach a free publisher that you respect. (I'd consider Dragonsfoot.org) The advantage of leveraging with a free publisher is you will get a bigger pool of downloaders right off the bat. You also might benefit from the shared mindset.


Sigurd

Who will look for your stuff no matter what you call it.

 

[Emryys]

I'd second Dragonsfoot!

They make quality free downloads in adventures, etc and their Footprints mag looks very professional

 

[Arthnek]

Dragonsfoot has been a nice place to meet people in the forums and I have enjoyed posting my own free 1e book there.

I have another coming out in a few more days.

So far the first one has been out about a month and has had more than five hundred some downloads just posting a little blurp here and there. So yes DF is great. Knights-n-Knaves is also a good spot if you are doing 1e material.

Looking forward to checking out your stuff and Hi!

Art

 

[jdrakeh]

Dragonsfoot will not host his file if it is based on or in any way mentions D&D 3x. Keep that in mind.

 

[HelloChristian]

Before the avalanche of .pdf publishing, people wrote zines, APAs and maintained fansites online. James Wallace, who eventually wrote Warhammer FRP, published a zine, as did excellent writers like S. John Ross, of GURPS fame. Their stuff was free and it was great.

There is a long, rich history of people writing rpg material and distributing it to others free of charge, in order to share their ideas and receive feedback. Free is not worthless. Often, free is amazing because it means the project might actually get read, rather than being ignored along with a 1,000 other $5 .pdfs on RPG Now. I gladly pay $3 S/H to receive a copy of the Alarums and Excursions APA because it's full of single-sheet zines written with passion, skill and energy.

In summation, free is good.

 

[Tewligan]

IEvery positive contribution will give you fans and those fans will help you get credibility. Consider some sort of umbrella title or approach a free publisher that you respect. (I'd consider Dragonsfoot.org) The advantage of leveraging with a free publisher is you will get a bigger pool of downloaders right off the bat. You also might benefit from the shared mindset.

There's no way in hell Dragonsfoot would distribute it - they're as anti-3e as you can get.