Stories with Tag self-publishing

• SMBC Parts Ways with Hiveworks

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  Posted: 2025-03-05 17:30:44

  Verbose tl;dr

  SMBC is ending its partnership with Hiveworks after ten years. Zach Weiner, the creator of SMBC, expresses gratitude for Hiveworks' support in growing the comic and handling business aspects, allowing him to focus on the creative side. He emphasizes that the split is amicable and driven by a desire to explore new opportunities and have more direct control over SMBC's future. While the comic's URL and format will remain the same, behind-the-scenes operations are changing. Weiner looks forward to maintaining a positive relationship with Hiveworks and is excited about the next chapter for SMBC.

  Zach Weinersmith, the creator and author of the popular webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal (SMBC), has officially announced the termination of his professional relationship with Hiveworks, the webcomics collective and publishing platform that previously assisted with the business aspects of SMBC. This severance, effective as of January 1st, 2024, marks the end of a decade-long partnership between Weinersmith and Hiveworks. While the announcement expresses gratitude for the support provided by Hiveworks over the years, particularly in navigating the complexities of webcomics business management, which allowed Weinersmith to focus on the creative process of writing and drawing the comic, it also emphasizes a desire for increased autonomy and direct control over SMBC's operations going forward.

  Weinersmith articulates a clear intention to transition into self-publishing and directly manage all aspects of SMBC's business affairs. This includes handling advertising, merchandise, and other ancillary operations formerly overseen by Hiveworks. The post frames this change not as a negative reflection on Hiveworks, but rather as a natural evolution in the trajectory of SMBC and a strategic decision to consolidate all operations under Weinersmith's personal purview. He portrays this as a step towards a more streamlined and personalized approach to managing the comic's business side, allowing for quicker adaptation to the ever-shifting landscape of the online comics industry and more direct engagement with the SMBC readership. Weinersmith reassures readers that this transition will not impact the frequency or quality of the comic itself, promising that SMBC will continue to be published regularly. Furthermore, the post expresses optimism about the future and the opportunities this new independent direction presents for both the comic and its creator.

  • SMBC
  • Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal
  • Hiveworks
  • webcomics
  • Zach Weinersmith
  • Comics
  • self-publishing
  • Business
  • webcomic hosting
  • Partnership
  • Announcement

  Summary of Comments ( 54 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43269614

  Verbose tl;dr

  Several Hacker News commenters expressed surprise and disappointment at SMBC's departure from Hiveworks, with some speculating about the reasons behind the split. Some wondered if it was due to financial disagreements or creative differences. Others praised Zach Weinersmith's talent and entrepreneurial spirit, wishing him well in his independent venture. A few commenters mentioned missing the collaborative nature of Hiveworks and hoped other creators wouldn't follow suit. Several also lamented the loss of the Hiveworks unified RSS feed and the convenience it offered. The potential difficulties of self-publishing, particularly regarding advertising and merchandise management, were also brought up. There was general agreement that the change would be a significant undertaking for Weinersmith.

  The Hacker News post titled "SMBC Parts Ways with Hiveworks" links to an SMBC comic announcing Zach Weinersmith's departure from the Hiveworks collective. The comments section contains several reactions and speculations, primarily focusing on the implications for both SMBC and Hiveworks.

  Several commenters express sadness and disappointment at the news, highlighting their appreciation for Hiveworks' model and the sense of community it fostered. One commenter remarks on the perceived rarity of amicable splits in creative partnerships, commending both parties for the seemingly smooth transition. They further speculate on the potential complexities of untangling shared infrastructure and resources, expressing curiosity about the logistical aspects of the separation.

  Another commenter raises the question of SMBC's potential move to a different platform or a self-hosted solution. They contemplate the possibility of Weinersmith leveraging Patreon or exploring other avenues for monetization and fan interaction now that he is independent of Hiveworks.

  Some comments express a more neutral stance, simply acknowledging the announcement and wishing both parties well. There's a general undercurrent of curiosity about the reasons behind the split, though speculation remains respectful and largely avoids unfounded conjecture. No insider information or definitive explanations are offered within the comments.

  The most compelling comments revolve around the potential impact on the webcomics landscape. Several commenters express concern about the future of Hiveworks, questioning whether other creators might follow suit and potentially destabilize the collective. Others ponder the implications for SMBC, speculating on whether this change will lead to new creative directions, business models, or content delivery methods.

  Overall, the sentiment leans towards cautious observation and respectful discussion. The commenters express genuine interest in the futures of both SMBC and Hiveworks, acknowledging the significance of this parting of ways within the webcomic community.

• A few words about indie app business

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  Posted: 2025-02-28 02:59:24

  Verbose tl;dr

  Indie app development is a challenging business. While success stories exist, most indie apps don't achieve significant financial success. Marketing, discoverability, and competition from larger companies are substantial hurdles. Furthermore, the continuous need for updates and platform changes necessitates ongoing development effort, even without guaranteed returns. Despite the difficulties, some developers find the pursuit rewarding for the creative freedom and potential, albeit small, for financial independence. Ultimately, passion for the project is crucial for persevering through the demanding and often unprofitable reality of indie app development.

  Charlie Monroe, in his blog post titled "A Few Words About Indie App Business," provides a comprehensive and somewhat disheartening perspective on the realities of independent software development for profit. He commences by acknowledging the allure of the indie app dream – a vision of financial freedom and creative autonomy achieved through the development and sale of one's own software. He contrasts this idyllic image with the often stark realities he has observed within the independent app development landscape.

  Monroe meticulously details the challenges associated with achieving sustained success in this field. He argues that the vast majority of independent app developers struggle to generate significant revenue, highlighting the immense competition, the rapidly changing technological landscape, and the substantial time commitment required for marketing, customer support, and continuous product development. He elucidates the difficulty of accurately predicting future market trends and emphasizes that even apps that initially gain traction can quickly lose momentum as user preferences shift or competitors emerge with superior offerings.

  A core element of Monroe's argument revolves around the fallacy of the "passive income" narrative frequently associated with app development. He underscores the ongoing effort necessary to maintain an app's relevance and functionality, including addressing bugs, implementing new features, and adapting to operating system updates. This continuous maintenance, he contends, often transforms the idealized notion of passive income into a demanding and time-consuming endeavor, more akin to running a small business than enjoying financial freedom.

  Further elaborating on the complexities of app marketing, Monroe discusses the intricacies of app store optimization (ASO) and the challenges of attracting and retaining users in a crowded marketplace. He notes that even with a well-designed and functional app, success hinges heavily on visibility and discoverability, which often necessitate significant investment in marketing efforts. Furthermore, he touches on the ongoing pressure to adapt to changing user expectations and the need for consistent updates and improvements to remain competitive.

  Finally, Monroe concludes his post by acknowledging that while the indie app business can be challenging, it can also be rewarding for those with realistic expectations and a strong work ethic. He encourages aspiring independent developers to thoroughly research the market, carefully consider the financial implications, and prepare for the significant time and effort required to build and maintain a successful app. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the long-term commitment involved and urges potential developers to approach the endeavor with a realistic understanding of the challenges and rewards inherent in the indie app business.

  • indie app development
  • app business
  • Indie Game Development
  • Mobile App Development
  • app marketing
  • Monetization
  • App Store
  • indie developer
  • software business
  • small business
  • entrepreneurship
  • self-publishing
  • app pricing
  • marketing strategy

  Summary of Comments ( 8 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43201251

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters generally agreed with the author's points about the difficulty of the indie app market. Several shared their own struggles with discoverability and monetization, emphasizing the importance of marketing and a unique value proposition. Some suggested alternative business models like subscriptions or focusing on niche markets. A few commenters pointed out the inherent luck involved in succeeding, while others questioned the sustainability of a purely indie approach, suggesting exploring contract work or other income streams for stability. The importance of managing expectations and enjoying the process was also highlighted.

  The Hacker News post titled "A few words about indie app business" (linking to charliemonroe.net) generated a moderate discussion with a few interesting points raised in the comments section.

  Several commenters focused on the challenges of marketing and discovery, echoing the author's concerns. One commenter highlighted the difficulty of competing with large companies that can afford extensive marketing campaigns, effectively drowning out smaller independent developers. They pointed out that even a truly great app can languish in obscurity without significant marketing efforts, a disheartening reality for many indie developers.

  Another commenter discussed the shift in the app landscape, noting that the initial gold rush of the App Store has subsided. They suggested that the current market is much more mature and competitive, requiring a more sophisticated approach to both development and marketing than simply building a good app. This commenter also emphasized the importance of identifying a niche and catering specifically to its needs, rather than trying to appeal to a broad audience.

  A further discussion thread delved into the specifics of marketing strategies for indie developers. One suggestion was to leverage content marketing by creating valuable resources related to the app's functionality, thus attracting potential users organically. Another commenter proposed exploring alternative app stores, although acknowledging that these often have smaller user bases and potentially less lucrative monetization options.

  The practicality of relying solely on indie app development as a primary income source was also debated. Skepticism was expressed, with some commenters arguing that the odds of achieving significant financial success are slim. They suggested treating app development as a side project or hobby, rather than betting one's livelihood on it.

  Finally, a few commenters shared their personal experiences, some recounting successes with niche apps, while others described the frustration of pouring effort into projects that ultimately failed to gain traction. These anecdotal accounts served to illustrate the realities of the indie app market, both the potential rewards and the significant challenges.

  While not a highly active discussion, the comments on the Hacker News post offer valuable insights into the current state of indie app development, particularly the crucial role of marketing and the increasingly competitive nature of the market. They paint a picture of a landscape where passion and creativity alone are often insufficient, and a strong business strategy is essential for survival.