First Achievement Points Almost Scored
over 5 years ago
– Thu, Sep 06, 2018 at 07:39:08 AM
Achievements inched forward yesterday, the last two of which are going to be the first to score (a recent interview with Danger Dolan will push YouTube views over the top). The haikus and Venns weren't scoring as fast as I was hoping they would, I thought more people would have fun with them. A while back, I goofed around with a Venn. It was an interesting thought-exercise. Mine doesn't have anything to do with WoW but...
I impulsively ordered one last proofreading round before the book gets printed. I found another set of eyes to check out the project, and she'll be done in a few weeks.
After 1 1/2 hours on the phone today, I'm closer to getting a data management packet to handle post-campaign sales, reward surveys, and, well, data.
Speaking of typos, ignore the typos in this update. I updated the progress bars at 3 AM the morning. I got up at 7ish, so I'm a bit groggy today. I was on the phone for hours talking to friendly advisers to this project, and we're going to try a few things.
I can't say I'm working tirelessly. I'm wiped.
Achievement System
over 5 years ago
– Wed, Sep 05, 2018 at 09:10:34 AM
I've added an achievement system for an Easter egg-ridden bookmark I hope to include inside the hardcover edition of The WoW Diary. The achievements are for a variety of things like sharing the project with your friends, or silly things like writing haikus or making Venn diagrams. I'll add achievements as the campaign progresses. Their explanations are on the main Kickstarter page, but here is what I made so far:
As you can see, I was busy all weekend tracking these numbers. I'll update the achievement progress bars every day.
We're approaching the milestone of becoming the 4th most funded non-fiction book in Kickstarter history! Please help me in spreading the word!
Thank you so much!
- John Staats
5th, The Golden Stretch Goal
over 5 years ago
– Sun, Sep 02, 2018 at 06:55:49 PM
Old news:
Question: What has two thumbs and is Kickstarter’s 5th most successful non-fiction book?
Answer: The WoW Diary and a pair of severed thumbs!
4th place is currently held by The Mastery Journal, which weighs in at $280,000. If you’re fine with The WoW Diary playing second-fiddle to a 100 Day Plan to “become productive, disciplined, and focused,” then read no further. I say, that that coveted 4th spot belongs to gamers!
Furthering that end, I’m introducing a stretch goal.
The Golden Stretch Goal
Remember how I said I wasn’t going to have stretch goals? I think it was 48 hours ago. Now I'm going to have stretch goals. Why? After spending a day talking to my printer about national paper shortages (although we are covered on paper) I had a cool idea—let’s print two versions of The WoW Diary!
The first, will be the standard Amazon Edition that has all the high-end specs already listed. Then, I'll print a Golden Edition that will be for only and all of my Kickstarter First Edition backers.
Upgrade 1: Unlocks at $300,000
The end sheet (pictured below) will be gold that reads “Original Kickstarter Backer" followed the whenitsready logo. The mock-up (on the right) shows the subtle printing, and the magnification (on the left) is darkened and enlarged for readability.
Upgrade 2: Unlocks at $400,000???
Undisclosed upgrade
This means all hardcover Kickstarter backers will have a rarer edition (only a few thousand worldwide) than later editions. The Golden Kickstarter Edition will never be reprinted. Owning one means you've helped found my new company, whenitsready and its flagship product, The WoW Diary.
By reaching the Golden Stretch Goal, The WoW Diary would have become, at least, the 3rd highest funded non-fiction book in Kickstarter's history. The only way to make this happen is to tell your friends. Tweet and Share this Kickstarter to let everyone know you support The WoW Diary. Let your freak flag fly and distinguish your copy from future printings.
7th
over 5 years ago
– Sun, Sep 02, 2018 at 12:19:32 PM
I spent today researching data management, which is a fancy way of saying post-Kickstarter order processing. It's boring, but more important, now that The WoW Diary is all grown-up. For instance, Kickstarter doesn't allow backers to order multiple copies, these systems will. These data management systems have a lot of features. I'm talking to them tomorrow at 2 PM to see how that works.
My printer was on the road today, so he's going to get back to me with answers for the list of issues involved with larger orders.
The WoW Diary is the 7th largest non-fiction book in history. If we can raise over $225,000, we'll be in 6th place! You hear me, Zen Habits Book? We're coming to kick your ass! If you know anyone interested in computer game development, kindly share this project. It'll help The WoW Diary put this so-called Zen Habits Book, back in its place!
6th, Delivery Estimate Revision, Multiple Copies
over 5 years ago
– Sat, Sep 01, 2018 at 08:26:54 PM
As The Zen Habits Book lays gasping behind us, we're on the eve of good news. Tomorrow I'm setting a stretch goal! I know I said there'd be no stretch goals, but I had a good idea after talking to my printer all day. Why have we been talking all day? Apparently, the tariffs between the US and Canada hasn't relieved the paucity of paper that has plagued the printing industry. With our Kickstarter doing so well, the printer had to scramble to get enough high-quality paper. We're still looking at a December delivery. Best case scenario is books mailed by December 10th. That's the very best case scenario, so I can't guarantee The WoW Diary being will be delivered in time for the holidays. Delays happen on press, that's just the way it goes. At least we're still looking at mid-October for electronic edition delivery.
I'm leaning toward investing in a Kickstarter data management system. The one I am looking at will cost 2% of our entire fundraising. It's a lot of money, but it means an easier, better customer experience. I'll be able to deliver things in a clean, professional manner, support my backers with customer support, and include options for delivering multiple copies at moderately reduced rates to our overseas backers.
I'm exploring cheaper shipping options. Even by using Amazon's Multi-channel Export system," (which is supposedly dirt-cheap) the first book still costs about the same amount to ship, but the following books cost half as much to send. I'm still looking into other solutions, but it's a holiday weekend in the US, so people are out of the office today.
Kickstarter's 5th highest non-fiction publicatoin is mocking us with its $231,000 in orders. It's entitled How to Invent Everything. How about we invent a book to crush your sales? Oh wait, there already is one, it's called The Wow Diary!
So tomorrow...a stretch goal.
