Special One Week Only CwF+RtB Offer... Plus International Sales

from the going-strong... dept

Mon, Jul 27th 2009 11:21am — Mike Masnick

Last week we announced our fun CwF + RtB experiment, offering up lots of cool options for people to purchase, if they found them worth it. We've had a tremendous response so far, and we've definitely got some more exciting things coming up, but we'll start today with two announcements concerning the offerings:

First, we're thrilled that we can now offer up international sales on all hard goods items as well (previously, it was limited only to domestic sales for the hardgoods). There were a few issues that needed to be worked out to do that, but we've now figured out most of the legal details that made it such a pain and can now accept orders and ship to most places around the globe. We've received plenty of requests from outside the US asking us when this would happen -- and the answer is now: so check it out.

Second, we're offering up a special promotion for this week only:

If you order both the Techdirt Music Club and the Techdirt Book Club between now and midnight PT, August 3rd (one week from today), we'll throw in either a free Techdirt Hoodie, or, if you happen to be local to the Bay Area -- a lunch with me (obviously, you're responsible for getting yourself to the lunch). If you've already bought one of the two packages, to qualify, you just need to buy the other (for yourself, or a friend!) and you'll qualify as well.

The book club and the music club are really quite wonderful offerings. The music club has some great stuff not available anywhere else -- including a unique, one-of-a-kind notebook that Jill Sobule will personalize for you (by hand) by writing out some lyrics and some doodles on the first few pages, along with a copy of her latest CD. You'll get the Who Killed Amanda Palmer book signed by both Amanda and Neil Gaiman and the Who Killed Amanda Palmer CD. You get the very cool (you have to see it to believe it) Moto Boy music box, and a signed copy of the For Martha CD, and then a special customized -- for the Techdirt crowd only -- signed CD from Joe Pug, that includes both tracks from his Nation of Heat CD, as well as special previously unreleased tracks.

The book club includes what I consider to be the four "must read" books this year, concerning the issues we talk about here on a regular basis. If you want to sound intelligent about these things, those are the four books to read -- and in this case, each one will be signed by the author, which makes it a really special collection. On top of that, we're including my Approaching Infinity book (signed by me). So, if you buy them both -- this week only -- you end up getting six books all signed by their authors, four CDs also signed by the musicians, a fantastic one-of-a-kind notebook by Jill Sobule, a beautiful wind up music box from Moto Boy and your choice of a Techdirt hoodie or a lunch with me (if you happen to be near where I am).

Once again -- the addition of the free hoodie or lunch with me only lasts until midnight PT, August 3rd, though, of course, you can continue to buy the packages until we run out. Thanks so much for everyone who's already participated. We've been overwhelmed by the response, which far exceeded our expectations, and we're working on many more ideas for the future as well!

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: cwf, international sales, rtb

21 Comments

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Dark Helmet (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 11:34am

"What can we do to put you in an Insider icon today???!!!"

J/k. Opening a PayPal account later this week (tough, since I don't use credit cards). I'm looking forward to selecting my RtB....as soon as I get my CwDH...
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aguywhoneedstenbucks (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 11:35am

Very Cool
Now I wish I could afford the music and book clubs at the same time. Sadly I just bought a new living room suite so I'm a little short.
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R. Miles (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 11:55am

Neither "club" was interesting to me.
So purchasing both won't be an option.

On a bit off topic: Any update to removing that annoying Crystal Ball option? Gah, it's so freakin' annoying.

Oh, and is TD going to tally how much was made after this run? Would be sweet to see a "This is how much we made on our 'Free' model, foos!" meter.

I'm curious, but will understand if this info remains privileged.
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- kai (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 12:25pm
  
  Re: Neither "club" was interesting to me.
  I kind of agree that the Crystal Ball thing is annoying. Maybe you should force it upon people who don't give money, until they give you $10 to "smash the crystal ball" or something =) /snark
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- Dennis Yang (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 12:40pm
  
  Re: Neither "club" was interesting to me.
  I'm working on a way to hide the crystal ball if you don't want it... it should be done soon.
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JoeRider (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 12:14pm

Results
When are you going to share with us how much money this experiment made?
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- Mike Masnick (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 12:24pm
  
  Re: Results
  When are you going to share with us how much money this experiment made?
  
  We'll definitely be sharing results at some point soon. We're figuring out exactly what and how, but since this is an educational experiment, we're going to try to be quite open about the results.
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  - Dark Helmet (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 12:44pm
    
    Re: Re: Results
    Might I suggest, in the spirit of education, releasing whatever data you deem appropriate at regular intervals, say every quarter? I know some of these offers are only temporary, but I figured some of the basic stuff that doesn't include books and physical product (other than the apparell) would be continous so long as it was profitable.
    
    That way we can get an idea of how money flows beyond initial release and into the realm of word-of-mouth spread.
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  - kyra (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 2:55pm
    
    Re: Re: Results
    Will you also be sharing the results of who chooses you or the hoodie and how those lunches go? I'm thinking of getting the music just so I can have lunch with you now!
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mobiGeek (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 12:17pm

Need to re-order?
Those foreign folks who ordered last week or before, do they need to resubmit?
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- Mike Masnick (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 12:23pm
  
  Re: Need to re-order?
  Those foreign folks who ordered last week or before, do they need to resubmit?
  
  You mean the folks who couldn't read the directions? :) No, we've got you covered, I think. We thought that PayPal had allowed us to block int'l sales until we were ready, but a few of you snuck through anyway. I think it's fine, but we'll contact you if there are any issues...
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  - mobiGeek (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 1:04pm
    
    Re: Re: Need to re-order?
    Follow instructions?
    
    1. Read description of packages
    2. Pick package
    3. Pay
    
    Was there something in all that "blah, blah, blah" around the "submit" button I should have paid attention to? ;)
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sondatch (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 1:28pm

got me twice
Got the $15 option last week just to show as much support as I could, and now that you're shipping to Canada I'll grab the hoodie option. My reasoning: I've enjoyed Techdirt for years - free - and feel great about giving something back. Getting a hoodie and your book is just gravy.

Feedback: Would've gotten the book option but the impetuousness wore off.
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Dave Barnes, 27 Jul 2009 @ 2:10pm

Want to give you money, but
I can't.
It seems that I have a Techdirt account, but it is not "confirmed".
But, I never receive the Confirmation email.
I did the Contact Us thing and never received a reply.
So, I guess you don't need my money.
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- Michael Ho (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 3:21pm
  
  Re: Want to give you money, but
  Hi Dave,
  
  I'll track down your account, but usually what happens is that our confirmation email gets caught by your spam filter (or you've just plain ignored it)....
  
  We'll send it again.. and hope for the best. Don't give up on us so quickly. :P
  
  Mike (a different Mike)
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- Michael Ho (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 3:37pm
  
  Re: Want to give you money, but
  One more clarification....
  
  You don't need to have a Techdirt account to buy any of the CwF+RtB tiers. Go ahead a shop, and if you buy a Techdirt Crystal Ball, we can always create an account for you afterward.
  
  Thanks!
  
  Mike
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Skeptical Cynic, 27 Jul 2009 @ 2:16pm

You are an ass because...
I would love to sit down with you and have an intense conversation about relavant topics. But I can't afford it and still keep my wife happy. You should maybe give away a chance to do that cheaply or for free if you buy something.
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- pjhenry1216 (profile), 29 Jul 2009 @ 7:49am
  
  Re: You are an ass because...
  If it were cheap or free, I feel too many people make try and take that option. Personally, I think at this price, its still really cheap and wish I could do the lunch option, but however, I'm in NJ and really can't travel across the country for lunch. But it'd be neat as an experience.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Jul 2009 @ 3:18pm

To be honest...
Everything from $1,000 to $100,000 is absolutely worthless.

And the hundred million for getting rid of you for a year...

...worth it, but unfortunately I know of no individuals who could+would pay that much, and I think you give yourself too much credit thinking any corporation you dis thinks silencing you is worth that much.

Perhaps it would be fair and on point to supporting free models if you went away for a year if the total $ earned reaches that number.

You can think I'm being hostile, but aren't I right? Thinking some single party would pay that much is arrogant, as are most of your write-ups. But, proving you can make that much from your business model is thoroughly, and enjoyably, a 1-up and a game, set, and match to the people dedicated to the opposite of everything you're dedicated to.
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- Dark Helmet (profile), 27 Jul 2009 @ 5:10pm
  
  Re: To be honest...
  "and I think you give yourself too much credit thinking any corporation you dis thinks silencing you is worth that much."
  
  Holy misunderstanding of snarky wit, Batman!
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Dave W (profile), 28 Jul 2009 @ 3:43am

Thanks
A hoody to the UK please - even if i did gulp at the $45 shipping! Ouch.

Thank god for a favorable exchange rate.
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