Content generation and profit problem

Generating content can be a lot of fun, but it does take effort. If you're someone like me who isn't worried about making money with writing things, like this post, then it's much easier because you don't have the time and profit problem.

For instance, let's say I were a movie producer, approximately how long would I expect it to be from an idea for a movie, until I could have it on movie screens around the world?

My own guess is from 3 to 7 years. And that lower number unfortunately means cutting a lot of corners, but it also might mean relying on a built-in audience with a sequel, or low budget options with a novel idea with some clever hook.

It can take as long as 15 years or longer.

So what do you do about money in all that time?

One route is to use investors, but they want a return on their money, which is their profit.

I don't know about you, but for me, contemplating investing 3 to 7 years of my life into any particular thing is a big deal. But figuring out if it will make money or not as well?

In tech I noted with interest when Larry Page, said that you need about a 5 year timeline for the next big idea. But how do you know if it will make money?

And I think in fashion the lead time is about 3 years.

These are the rough estimates I keep in mind. Would definitely love corrections on ANY of them.

The time and profit problem actually is a rather immense hurdle. And luckily plenty of people vault over it, so we have movies, new tech products, and new fashion.

Without their bravery and investment in time, effort, and money, none of that would occur.

Like you can see what results if someone just slaps together a movie. YouTube is full of them, if you're curious. Some of them are not so bad. Usually though it's some funny or clever bit of short video. A full length movie though? That takes time and effort, and yup, a tremendous amount of skill.

And that's not to put down YouTube either. But the entire point of it is that anyone can throw something up there, which means it's a great place to survey what works, and what doesn't. You can do a lot of useful research on YouTube, and see what works, and what doesn't.


James Harris