It worked before you broke it!”
(BLINKING WP!! Scroll to 4:44…mumbles something obscene…)
Never among the 650+ posts around The M3 Blog will you ever see me disparage learning what not to do. The last three weeks have been a powerhouse lesson in what not to do.
When I embarked on the launch of Redmund, I was shooting for a November 1 launch. In the 60 days which have transpired since then, we have found lots of ways not to do things.
In the last week, I and a few authors have broken a major piece of software which we need to have function if I am not going to have to add in the ballpark of 20 extra hours per day.
While delaying the launch was the absolute last thing I wanted to do, it will create a more ideal workspace for all of us in the future. Here are a list of the perks we get for waiting one month:
- A software suite tailored to Redmund Productions, which will handle most all of our collaborative needs by keeping everyone in the loop from purchasing software and/or compatible machines or using faulty (what a kind word) freeware which generates a massive amount of needless editorial work. (More on this in a bit.)
- The opportunity to relax some of this week’s deadlines for more collaboration. (More on this in a bit.)
- A nap.
- More WIP to be finished and launch with those on track for a 01DEC12 launch (possibly four more books).
- An extra week of beta testing for the bookstore (big plus).
- More time for proofing.
- More time for construction of the support portion of the site I was disappointed to have to forego to meet the November deadline.
- Time to establish a large portion of the marketing arm. (More on this in a bit.)
All to say, Val was right. She has been listening to me (searching for non-expletive) gritch about breaking software (which was not in beta), printing inconsistencies, inequitable platform requirements, disparate rights, failure of anyone not intimately acquainted with the publishing portion of the equation to comprehend the work which goes into a book, …Wow. I am doing it again.
Even Mantra is tired of hearing it. For an idea what the fairy is up to, you will need to go to my sister’s blog. She has decided to do something very different.
More
I am thrilled to no end to have gotten an app developer who is willing to incorporate Redmund needs into his software. We are going to build a powerful piece of software which will stand up to the rigorous schedule I keep. The developer was convinced I had given alpha notes rather than user generated bugs and operator errors. It helps, I was giving him suggestions for programming as I listed my issues, peeves and requests.
More, again
The collaboration efforts on the videos is amazing to watch! So is the progress in the Picture Perfect room, which is focusing on cover art. Time for a gratitude break:
You are the most creative, most talented, most amazing audience in the blogosphere!
If you have not been to the Redmund Forum…this is your official invitation!
More still!
Marketing!! I have a few days to sit on my hands until the software is ready, so I will be busy building the base pages for social media for RP. We are still a bit out from being able to integrate them to the main site, but they will begin picking up followers and expanding the RP reach.
I will need some of you who are on Pinterest and StumbleUpon to pitch in with some ideas and pointers, as RP will be reaching places M3 does not. Who wants to help RP be completely insidious? (Insert evil laughter.)
Enough
I never thought delaying this would leave me with a liberated feeling. What it has done is stir my creativity to make this even better.
See you in the comments and the forum!
~~~~~~~~~~
Binky
/ October 25, 2012Sometimes we try awfully hard to make something fit when it just won’t. Far better to delay the launch and do it right, than to end up with something that doesn’t work properly and frustrates or annoys your potential customers.
Binky recently posted..The Dog House
Red
/ October 27, 2012I am glad to hear you say that. It is the crux of this week’s SEP.
Barb
/ October 26, 2012I’m so glad you’ll have more time now to search for the perfect Christmas present for me. There’s always a silver lining, huh?
Seriously….take care of you head and heart. when you’re ready to roll, we’ll be listening.
Barb recently posted..Now We Have to Worry About Fake Friends
Red
/ October 27, 2012Great to see you tonight, Barb. I hope so. Tonight’s SEP addresses some of that. And I rather enjoyed taking a day completely off. No WP. No computer for that matter. I must schedule more of those days <3
Lizzie Cracked
/ October 27, 2012So Im a dork for not reading.. ok I am thinking this will be a good thing… I am glad you can breathe and I have learned a very valuable lesson today… 🙂
Hugs <3
Lizzie
Lizzie Cracked recently posted..BE
Red
/ October 27, 2012No, not a dork. We have all been so stinking busy the last two weeks, I am surprised any of us know how to sit down. 🙂 <3