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> They're aimed at the people who are left reading comic books Well, funnily enough we're having this discussion on a website devoted to startups. So think of
by pdpi 12y ago
> They're aimed at the people who are left reading comic books
Well, funnily enough we're having this discussion on a website devoted to startups. So think of it from a business point of view. What would any of us here say if someone described the current state of affairs and strategy for their startup as "we started off as a successful company but we've been bleeding users and losing demographics, so we're going to cater exclusively to those demographics that still use our product, even if it further alienates everybody else"?
Look at a good example of a company doing the exact opposite: Lego was in dire straits a while back, and managed to make a comeback by diversifying — getting into the video game market brought kids back, and made the bricks a viable business again.
"Oh we're catering to our core audience" at some point becomes an absurd argument.
- jiggy2011 12y agoCatering to a narrow but profitable niche is very common advice on HN.
- vidarh 12y agoBut accelerating the decline of your profitable niche by withdrawing from the niches that fed the creation of your current niche, is probably not good long term thinking. In the case of comics, Marvel and DC has a market of 30's males now because they served the market of kids in the 80's and before. If they want to retain that profitable niche, they better make sure they develop interest amongst younger readers.
- jiggy2011 12y agoIs it declining? It would seem to be growing, but mainly amongst a certain demographic (who happen to have a lot of disposable income). As mentioned elsewhere in the thread, comics are no longer a mainstream entertainment medium compared to movies and videogames, so comic franchises are branching out into these areas.
- xienze 12y ago> we started off as a successful company but we've been bleeding users and losing demographics, so we're going to cater exclusively to those demographics that still use our product, even if it further alienates everybody else If your problem is intractable then it's probably a good idea. When your demographic is getting older and not being replaced by a younger generation you're in trouble. Comic books can't compete with tablets, phones, cable TV, etc. for the attention of kids. It's not like it was in the 80s and earlier. The interesting thing about the comic book companies is they have a lot of IP that's part of the collective consciousness and they've diversified by making shitloads of movies and TV shows that are hugely popular. The comics though? Relatively speaking no one is reading them.