What kind of Sales can you expect from PDF?

[LuminariesRPG]

thanks for all the info

Well, I guess I'll add my info to the pool. I've sold 21 copies of The Deft Fighter, and 9 copies of The Coward .

Deft Fighter is a rules expansion for fighters, and the Coward is a single page class (you can see the whole thing before you buy). Both are OGL 3.5.

Both were put out after 4th edition, from me (a complete unknown).

The hardest part I had was getting reviews. I sent emails offering comp copies of Deft Fighter to websites that do reviews and even "smaller" review sites didn't bother responding back. I've got several personal emails and they were all good, so that was nice.

My next project is a bit more ambitious (and a LOT more tedious to work on ). I'll keep you posted, but I'm hoping to hit 100 copies with it .

 

[Jraynack]

Our 4th Edition stuff, hitting the virtual shelves out of the gate, continue to do well. Our 3.5 slumped off, but I see a little perk here and there. Our paper tiles/figs do better since the release of 4th. So, I really don't know - but 4E seems the way to go for us.

 

[zeist]

Thank you to everyone for posting to this thread. I read the whole thing today. I've bought a handfull of things at RPGnow, but nothing since the release of 4E. I've not been in a RPG since 4/2007.

 

[crazzycat]

I agree with u why they should buy if the can juat take it for a while

 

[Morrus]

Good point. We should stop publishing.

 

[Morrus]

The hardest part I had was getting reviews. I sent emails offering comp copies of Deft Fighter to websites that do reviews and even "smaller" review sites didn't bother responding back. I've got several personal emails and they were all good, so that was nice.

I'll agree with that! I even went so far as to ask folks publically to let me know if they wanted copies of PDFs to review. A flood of people replied, and I sent out roughly $5000 worth of products (or nearly 1000 PDFs); in exchance I got three reviews. Lesson learned: don't send out review copies!

In addition, as far as I can make out at least, the "send copies to reviewers" button on RPGNow basically means "give free copies for no reason to these people you don't know". It's certainly never resulted in any reviews!

 

[gamerprinter]

Hoping Pathfinder improves 3.5+ PDF sales

Well despite the mentioned slow down of 3.5 PDF products, I'm really hoping Pathfinder will cause a change in this trend. With the apparent sell out of Pathfinder RPG Handbook, I really think that's a good sign.

My product line for Kaidan: a Japanese Ghost Story setting is depending on it. Currently the adventure is being rewritten once again, so it may be published a few days later then August 13, our last goal for getting it out, but I want the best possible product before it hits the "PDF shelves."

From the limited views by various people outside the publisher, I've been told my products have a very high production value, aside from having great base material for the setting and adventure line.

I am hopeful. As soon as sales begin and I start getting return numbers on sales, I will post here my results.

GP

 

[Angellis_ater]

If it is a 4E product, I'm sure that Jack99 will give you a short review if you send him a PDF, just make sure to ask him first.

 

[Herobizkit]

My question to the floor would be, "How does one become a RECOGNIZED reviewer for EnWorld?" I would assume that one would have to demonstrate that they can churn out a quality review in a reasonable amount of time, each and every "period" (a week, 10 days, whatever). I would think that one might almost have to submit a successful application to be "recognized"... and I recommend that Morrus et al consider this. Imagine... having the thumbs-up as an official reviewer for a website, backed by the website's owner, with a slew of loyal readers as your critics, for free (or maybe for credit towards other pdf's from the EnWorld Store or RPGNow). I know that it isn't a "feel-good" voluntary basis, but I do read the reviews (if any) of any products I plan on purchasing on EnWorld before any other sites, and I note when I see names cropping up over and over.

Thoughts?

 

[EP]

My question to the floor would be, "How does one become a RECOGNIZED reviewer for EnWorld?" I would assume that one would have to demonstrate that they can churn out a quality review in a reasonable amount of time, each and every "period" (a week, 10 days, whatever). I would think that one might almost have to submit a successful application to be "recognized"... and I recommend that Morrus et al consider this. Imagine... having the thumbs-up as an official reviewer for a website, backed by the website's owner, with a slew of loyal readers as your critics, for free (or maybe for credit towards other pdf's from the EnWorld Store or RPGNow). I know that it isn't a "feel-good" voluntary basis, but I do read the reviews (if any) of any products I plan on purchasing on EnWorld before any other sites, and I note when I see names cropping up over and over.

Thoughts?

It should be someone who steps up and simply starts putting out those kind of reviews WITHOUT being hired, promoted, or anything. Any film reviewer worth their salt got to that point by actually doing the work and establishing their reviews as timely, reliable, and fair. I'm not talking about the guy from the Hartford Gazette-Recorder or whatever, but those critics whose name we know. Chris Gath became known not because he was given the label of "official reviewer," but because he simply put out a lot of reviews in a professional manner. Jack99 seems to be headed in the same direction.

I'd rather see someone rise through the ranks and become a reviewer than just having someone placed up there. You can give someone the official title, but they don't earn it until they've proven it.

There are a couple of reviewers for OBS who are fairly reliable, just not timely (and that's not to rant, just that they have their hands full). Megan Robertson is one (and she sends emails to let you know they are posted) plus one other name which escapes me right now.