12 March, 2007 |

Piracy = Profit - Images

The internet is groaning with images that we can exploit to enliven our publications for minimal outlay.

Of course we have to be careful in our choice.

We all want free or low-cost content but, if we make a wrong selection, we can end up having to pay out owners, their lawyers AND our own lawyers - and we don’t want that do we?

“No way!” I hear you chant. Good.

Then let’s look at a common but effective strategy.

The Viral Two Step

If there is a cost involved in this particular format, then it is picked up by the sponsor you rope in using your own seductive marketing techniques.
The sponsor provides prizes (or inducements) which ensure you receive a steady flow of quality material from your gullible readership.

Now, whether you actually give out the prizes or not is up to you.
We recommend you do. It would be embarrassing and counter-productive to say the least if your readership AND your advertisers were to discover they were being hoodwinked.
Remember to name the winner after every promotion.
You can, as some have done, just use christian names or nicknames.
Remember, if you are going to be a bit ‘clever’ the data protection act can protect you, just as much as your ‘contributors’.

So, what to exploit?

VIRALS.

“Virals?” I hear you ask.
Yes, images created from many other images. The greyest of grey areas when proving ownership.
Of course some clever little computer jockey may have had an amusing idea and spent an age producing something using programs like photoshop, but why reward them just for that !

They’re not business people, just attention seekers.

In fact, we’re doing them a favour publishing their work.THEY SHOULD BE PAYING US !

The creators can then run around telling their mates and, do you know what? , the mates all buy your magazine to see their friends’ work and WE MAKE MORE MONEY!

EVERYONE’S A WINNER !

So, where do we find these virals?

Well, you can have your readers send them to you - Get them to do the legwork!
Offer them a prize (from your sucker sponsor so no outlay on your part) and the emails will come flooding in.
Or, you can trawl around the internet yourself, a time consuming process; well it was until we discovered a few useful sites where these little viral monkeys congregate.

When you sign up to the 3EMAP LEARNING COURSE we will provide you with a list of these viral ‘hunting grounds’.
In the meantime, take a trip round the net and see if you can find any decent content. It’s not easy and that’s why the 3EMAP LEARNING COURSE is such great value.

“But how can we mask where these images were sourced when we print them.” you collectively groan.
Chins up chaps, where’s your ENTHUSIASM!. There are several answers and I’ll let you in on how we can do this in a future post.

In the next post, I’ll also point out a few common pitfalls - ‘Do’s and Don’ts for us pirates of the web - “Arrrrr Jim Lad!” HA! HA!.

STAY TUNED!