Posted Multitool Book project on Indiegogo, need feedback. Thanks.

[tonytools]

Hello everyone.

I posted a project on indiegogo to put together a Multitool Book together and would like to get some feedback from you fellow multitool enthusiast.

I have not post any link yet, did not want to spam on first post or do so with out permission.

Thank, Tony.

[Threeme2189]

I think it would be ok for you to post the link.
If it is spam then the mods will unleash their mighty "Ban Hammers" upon thou.
If it isn't spam I would be happy to read it.

Welcome to the forums by the way

[tonytools]

I think it would be ok for you to post the link.
If it is spam then the mods will unleash their mighty "Ban Hammers" upon thou.
If it isn't spam I would be happy to read it.

Welcome to the forums by the way

Here we go then link to Indiegogo campaign http://www.indiegogo.com/The-History-and-Future-of-Multitools-Book

My website is: http://multitoolbook.com/

So let the judgement begin, Good or Bad. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'm going to allow this, but it would sure be awful nice of you to at least link back and credit us here if you are going to do research and market your book to our members.

I'm sure there's some mods or admins around here you could have talked to so you could get the most out of it... but then what does a guy like me who has Tim Leatherman's personal contact info know about anything... 

Def

[Mr. Whippy]

I'm going to allow this, but it would sure be awful nice of you to at least link back and credit us here if you are going to do research and market your book to our members.

I'm sure there's some mods or admins around here you could have talked to so you could get the most out of it... but then what does a guy like me who has Tim Leatherman's personal contact info know about anything... 

Def

Exactly.

[Crouton]

Do you have any examples of any work/example submissions you intend to put in this book?  Any editorial experience?

Good luck with this.  It could work out nicely if it's done correctly.

[joebw]

Having been around for a bit, I'd suggest that you show your abilities before you ask for donations.  I have a few MT's in my collection, have run a gun collectors group with a quarterly magazine and up to 3500 members for 18 years.

If you think you can offer something, I suggest that you must show your abilities.

Regards - Joe

[tonytools]

Having been around for a bit, I'd suggest that you show your abilities before you ask for donations.  I have a few MT's in my collection, have run a gun collectors group with a quarterly magazine and up to 3500 members for 18 years.

If you think you can offer something, I suggest that you must show your abilities.

Regards - Joe

Just Posted update on Indiegogo with link to this website, thanks.

Never done a book before, that is why I was going to pay and give credit for the contributions for the contents in the book, that is listed in the Indiegogo Project description.  Got to start some place, we are all born with nothing and leave with nothing.

A lot of places have a printing minimum of at least 300, so I'm also trying to see if their is any real interest in this at all.

If only 30 or 40 people are interested in buying the book, then what is the point, that is why I'm trying to see what the real demand is.

I'm starting from ground zero, so that why the project was posted, if anyone has suggestions?

If there is no demand reasonable demand for this book, then you can kill this thread and let the thread die.  I'm just someone trying my best to get this project off the ground and see what the what people really want.

Thanks, Tony.

[Bruce909]

Tony,
I must agree with the others that have mentioned that you need to show some of your abilities to find funding for this project.  If you don't many people me included will look at this as a get rich quick scam.  You mentioned you have always loved Multi-tools that can be said for most of the members here and I suspect there are people here who have far greater knowledge of Multi-tools than you will ever possess.  But you need to do some research and showing a few "borrowed" videos is not really research.  What tools do you own, use, fondle?  What forums, blogs or other groups do you belong to that deal with Multi-tools?  I don't remember anybody here asking for a paid ghost writer for a Multi-tool book.  If one of the more knowledgeable members of this forum proposed a similar project I would suspect they (He or She) would raise a fair amount of seed money fairly quickly.  But my bet is the people here that have the knowledge would not have money as their first priority for starting the book.   

Frankly, I felt that your last post implied that you were only in this for the money....I don't collect Multi-tools for the money and what I have learned from my friends and the other members here is priceless.

When you actually have something to show please let us know and I will gladly purchase an advance copy when the completed work is ready for press.

Bruce

[AimlessWanderer]

I can see this project having some potential, but being somewhat tricky to execute correctly/effectively. For example the enormous amount of information on these (and other) forums about multitools past present and future is far more than could be entered into a readable coffee table book. The other problems are that this is an organic subject, living, breathing and changing. There is also far too much personal opinion about these tools as to make anything definitive.

For me a great collection of actual users and collectors such as this one will always prove to be a far better source of information than a fixed (printed) reference guide. As such if MTo produced a book (periodically - say 3 to 5 years) that was a collection of reviews and knowledge from it's collective pool of wisdom, there is a good chance I would buy a copy. I am not so sure I would personally do the same from a single writer (sorry)

Right now, this is by far the best place go to for any information on multitools, the knowledge base here is second to none. You are asking for feedback (and funding) but we need to see more of what you want feedback on other than a concept. Has any of this work already been done, or have you yet to write it and produce any of your own photos? What format will be used? Where is the content coming from? Where are the proceeds going? What are your own personal abilities in producing something publishable? All I have at this stage Tony is questions. You need to tell us / show us something more IMO

[Grant Lamontagne]

Not that it matters, but there has been an official Multitool.org Multitool Book in the works on and off for some time too.

Def

[tonytools]

Not that it matters, but there has been an official Multitool.org Multitool Book in the works on and off for some time too.

Def

If that is the case, I'm willing to transfer my domain to the right person for FREE and end my campaign. So that a "Person with more knowledge" could take my place.  I've seen discussions before too, seems strange to get so much static when someone actually tries to do the very thing that has been talked about. 

If some one is interested in taking over, send me a PM or say so on the thread.

[AimlessWanderer]

Not that it matters, but there has been an official Multitool.org Multitool Book in the works on and off for some time too.

Def

If that is the case, I'm willing to transfer my domain to the right person for FREE and end my campaign. So that a "Person with more knowledge" could take my place.  I've seen discussions before too, seems strange to get so much static when someone actually tries to do the very thing that has been talked about. 

If some one is interested in taking over, send me a PM or say so on the thread.

On a topic like this "people" will always have more experience and knowledge than "a person". Even if a long standing member here (some of whom are verging on encyclopedic at times) wrote a book on multitools, I would personally be less inclined to buy than one which is produced by a collective pool of knowledge. Sorry if that smarts, but that's just my personal take.

You asked for views .....

[Grant Lamontagne]

We have no reason to discourage anyone else from trying to write a book, provided any info taken from here is properly credited.  I think that's only fair.

Someone coming in from out of the blue asking for donations to get a book off the ground seems a little forward, and perhaps the results may be different if people knew who you were and you spent some time establishing yourself in the community.

As for the book itself, the issue with print, and we've discussed that here in the past, is that this is a very alive industry, and by the time a book is printed, distributed and read, it's outdated.  There's a reason the 'net is killing off print media- when I go to SHOT for example, I have a Twitter feed that I use to pass up to the minute info all around the world and detailed photos and information posted on this site within a few hours.  The trade magazines are lucky to have the same information out within a month.

So, with up to the minute info available free of charge, what is the marketability for a book?  This is the big reason why ours has not been made much of a priority over the years.  Still, if you feel you have a product worthy of print, then by all means, you should go for it and ignore naysayers.  We are happy to help, provided our needs are also met.

Def

[turnsouth]

I'd buy a coffee table book on the history of MT's.
With the typical stuff, high res pictures, good stories, timelines, triumphs, failures, etc...

[Beerplumber]

I'd buy the book too... Provided it has a serrated AND straight blade!  Hahaha can't wait to see how you fit needle nose pliers between the pages! Hopefully one handed cover opening action.

[Threeme2189]

I'd buy a coffee table book on the history of MT's.
With the typical stuff, high res pictures, good stories, timelines, triumphs, failures, etc...

+1

That kind of book would make for some interesting reading

[tonytools]

I'm not here to steal money from anyone, the reason I started this is because; I would also buy a multitool book as well if there was one.

This project can't be done by myself, so I do need help with contributors.

OK, what if I pay out of my own pocket for other people to submit articles or pictures, they would get full credit and have their website listed?

Need feedback on this how much to pay people for submissions:

$5-$10 per picture that they took or have the publishing rights.

$20-$30 for a small article 2 or 3 paragraphs for article with picture included.

The reason for using Indiegogo was to try and get this project off the ground and to see if there is enough demand to publish the minimum of 300 books.  I'm not in this to make money, there are a lot bigger and in higher demand subjects out their for then multitool book.

This is more of it would be just fun to do this project, their is no way for my to write all the articles and I might not be the best person to do it anyway, but I will fork out some money to other people that have that gift to write.

My ears and eyes are open, so type away.

Tony

[Neil]

Its a nice idea but I'm not sure what kind of market there would be for it.

It would be up against the freely obtainable information on the internet.  I'm not convinced you'd get enough interest to meet minimum run requirements.

Its been well over a decade since I did any but going rate for articles (at least on my side of the pond) worked out at roughly around $600 per thousand words.  Times may well have changed since the explosion of the world wide web but I'm not sure you'd get many takers at those rates

I realise I'm coming across all doom and gloom here but I'm trying to be realistic.  If you do go ahead with this project I genuinely wish you the best of luck.

[Dunc]

Its a nice idea but I'm not sure what kind of market there would be for it.

It would be up against the freely obtainable information on the internet.  I'm not convinced you'd get enough interest to meet minimum run requirements.

I agree with Neil on this , also as new tools get released it would very quickly go out of date . Unlike a website that can be updated on a regular basis .

[tonytools]

Thank you for all the input, I've put the project on hold on Idiegogo for now until I get it more up to par and get find some help to get this project done. 

Your right I need to show more material and information, also need to find some help as well.

If there are any major developments, I will let you guys know, for right now it is on hold tell some acceptable amount of work has been done on the book.

Thank you everyone for the feedback.

Tonytools

[Crouton]

  I've seen discussions before too, seems strange to get so much static when someone actually tries to do the very thing

I don't think any of these responses could be considered "static", for me personally my concern was that even from your website/Indiegogo you hadn't effectively communicated a plan of action.  You had the desire covered but as investors, which we are requested to be, we have to believe that something meaningful will come of it.  You should consider putting together a sales and try coming up with an article and a sumbittal model so we can see what you have planned and how you will put dream into action.  Good intentions are not enough on this one.

Also, no dream ever came to any man easily, you will have to work hard, endure rejection, work harder, sacrifice and then if you are talented or lucky enough it will happen.

I truly wish you the best of luck, but I would suggest that a Multi-tool periodical, a multi-tool quartlerly if you will, would be a better option.  I think the target demographic would prefer it and there would be more potential for repeat purchases.  Also, given our nature as collectors and enthusiasts a single Multi-tool book or annual edition wouldn't give us that feeling that we get when we get a new tool often enough if it were a once a year purchase.

Grant said it best when he mentioned that the multitool world is constantly changing and a multitool book would be out of date before you received it.  I don't think we as Multitool enthusiasts want an encyclopedia of multitools, we already have that here at Multitool.org and it was created and is being created out of a desire to enjoy multi-tools.  What we really want is to read about, think about and even drool over tools we don't or can't have, which is something we also have here at Multitool.org as demonstrated by the huge user base and huge amount of regular visitors and posters.  In my opinion you would have to come up with a really slick, magazine type publication with some professional level photography of some new, rare, popular or interesting multi-tools to garner much interest in this.

Good luck to you on this venture my brother, I suggest that you should stick around a while and establish a reputation here.  Simply put, I don't think a book, using the old printed media model will work.  The interest in such a book would be limited to those who want it for their coffee tables.  It would be a conversation piece instead of a reference piece, and to be quite honest I believe that most of discuss multi-tools almost exclusively here at Multitool.org as multi-tool collecting isn't nearly as mainstream as other forms of collecting.  My suggestion is for you to funnel your energy into doing what the rest of us do here at Multitool.org and make it a better place by discussing multi-tools and posting reviews and thoughts.  Feel free however to prove me wrong and publish your book.

Edited to reflect correct references to multitool.org