Public SourceMage Discussion List

[Jaanus Heeringson <jaanus AT heeringson.com>]

Eric Sandall wrote:

> > This is a very rough outline of how these things usually work:
> >
> > 1. Before I/we start working on some kind of marketing proposal we need 
> > to decide where we want to head. That means we/you need to clarify and 
> > decide on the general goals and visions of the project. What are we 
> > working against?
> >    
> Would our Social Contract[0] help in that?
>  
Yes it helps, but all it actually says is "We are another open source 
distro, and we play nice & have ethics". We might want to be a bit more 
specific. Who is SMGL suitable for? What differentiates us from other 
distros? As a user i would probably like to know what the intentions of 
the project are. Debian[0] states this well.

> > 2. When the above is settled we can move on to goals and visions for the 
> > marketing effort. Basically, what outcome would you like? Do we want 
> > more users, developers or just piece of mind? We need to set up some 
> > targets for the future. Another important thing: goals are measurable 
> > (there are specific conditions for success), while visions are not.
> >    
> I'd say that our primary goal is enough developers to fill every Lead 
> position,
> every guru position, and have extras for the "general" positions (list of
> positions is available on our wiki[1], after that more users are icing on the
> cake.
>  
Sounds totally resonable.

> > 3. When we have the goals and visions in place we can start defining our 
> > target audiences.
> >    
> Developers! Developes! Developers!
> /me does a monkey dance
>  
Wouldn't users also be part of the priority since they also contribute 
to the project by reporting bugs etc?
Do we wish to bring in experienced developers and put them to work 
directly, or do we need users who we can "educate"?

> > 4. Figure out what attracts the target audience and adjust our 
> > communication accordingly (redesign of visuals and information etc.)
> >    
> Hmmm....easy one: women. However, that probably won't work out as we want, so
> perhaps a cool-sounding project? One with lots of prospects? Able to put your
> name on the web?
>  
My experience is that most OS people are motivated by needs, ego and 
cash. Since we can roule out cash in the short term, that leaves us with 
needs and ego.
1. What needs do SMGL fulfill with end users and developers? Control? 
Speed? Who might use it commercially?
2. The larger and more well-known the project, the better for the 
ego-related attraction.

> > 5. Find the best places to come in contact with the target audience.
> >    
> Slashdot, OSNews, Penny-Arcade, Newsforge, others?
>  
Mainstream tch-press is also good, but a very illusive target.

> > 6. Bring'em in!.
> >    
> Areed!
>  
>
> > 7. Follow up on progress and goals. Adjust accordingly.
> >    
> Gotta get #1 going first. ;)
>  
This is actually one of the most important points :) If jou don't do 
this you might end up putting effort into something that simply does not 
work.

> > Now would also be a good time for those of you who wish to be involved 
> > in the creation of the marketing plan to sound of.
> >    
> Hrmmm...I'm not much of a marketing person myself... ;) I'll help where I can.
>  
If you wouldn't I'd be really worried ;)

[0] http://www.debian.org/intro/about#what

--
MVH

Jaanus Heeringson

Underwerks Design
Ålegådsgatan 424
43150 Mölndal
Sweden

Mobile: +46 709 492609
Phone: +46 31 402980

http://www.underwerks.com
mail: jaanus AT heeringson.com