Self-Reflection Part 1
Few of you know this, but Ergofiction is more than a magazine. It’s an organization, conveniently called Ergofiction. Since I first started reading fiction online, discovered the WFG and the lovely community on twitter, I have contemplated a lot on what webfiction would need to become better known. I’m still not sure I have the answer to that, but I did realize it needed a kick in the but. So I came up with an organization with the main goal to create a webfiction movement.
The magazine is only the first step of this project, and the idea is to branch out to events, publications and interventions in the future. Before we get to that stage, however, there’s still a long road to walk, legal issues to be sorted and funds to be acquired. That’s the future though, which I will talk more about tomorrow.
In today’s article I want to show you the idea’s behind the organization, the initial goals I set, the first idea’s I had. We semi-launched in December, but in October I had finished the organization’s Strategic Plan. A strategic plan is a management method used to make a company run in a straight direction, but also as a method to self-evaluate the company’s achievements and problems. Personally I call it our Battle Plan.
Today I want to share some sections of the Battle Plan, so you have an idea of what our goals and idea’s are.
1. Our Mission
Ergofiction is a non-profit organization which aims to spread the webfiction movement, by acting as the central information hub for all artists, authors and readers involved.
2. Our Vision
In 5 years Ergofiction wants to be the central hub for a thriving web-fiction community, by informing webfiction readers and fans through the Ergofiction magazine, and enhancing the movement and community by author or genre focused projects and interventions.
3. Our Goals
It is our longterm goal to:
- Establish the organization as the central entrance point for the web-fiction community and serve as a window to the web-fiction movement world-wide.
- Promote the webfiction movement with our website, magazine, other publications, interventions and partnerships with related cultural organizations, both online and offline to raise worldwide awareness for the format.
By January 2011 we want to:
- Have a smooth running weekly magazine with a steadily growing reader base.
- Break even, so all operating costs are funded by advertisement or donations.
- Be referenced in non webfiction focused media.
- Establish an active and interactive community of webfiction readers.
Personally I think we’re doing okay so far. The magazine is coming to its feet, with a brand new layout arriving soon, which will end the beta period. I do think we could improve on some fronts, mostly planning. Traffic to is okay, not as high as I would want, but he haven’t done any advertising yet, so I’m okay with that for now. Interaction and impact I’m slightly disappointed with, but we’ll find a way to improve that.
On the organization front we’re a bit behind because we’re based in Belgium by default, and the legal stuff to become an actual non-profit organization is baffling. This is slowing us a bit down, but at the moment I am negotiating a big event in a cultural center, and initial reactions have been very positive.
So all in all I’m quite satisfied I think. We aren’t really kicking webfiction in the but yet, nor are we kicking ass, but we are on our way. And we’ll get there. Eventually. In the far, far future, which I will talk about tomorrow.
All questions are more than welcome, as are suggestions and idea’s.