Hi, I'm Alec. I started Ubiquitous Tavern. I've been a web developer, business coach, and hobbyist RPG designer and author.
I've learned from failed a failed RPG Kickstarter (and many other projects) just how difficult it is build a fanbase. It's even hard just to connect and collaborate with creative people in a community that someone else has built. Anything beyond passively consuming other people's content feels like shouting into the void.
After reading a blog post by A. Lee Martinez, I realized that maybe it's not just me. Maybe the internet is designed ONLY for consumption and advertising... and most of the time it just sucks at anything else.
So I decided to build the Ubiquitous Tavern to help indie sci-fi and fantasy creators support themselves and acheive something most sites do poorly. I want to help indie creators build genuine community.
As A. Lee Martinez put it in a blog post:
“You can't really build an audience on the internet. That sucks, but for every author catapulted to fame via the internet, there are countless others who will always dwell in obscurity. The great thing about the internet is that it gives more people a voice. The great thing about self-publishing is that it has allowed more people to share their voice. This is a good thing, but it doesn't come without cost. It's harder than ever to stand out in the endless screaming cacophony of the world wide web.”
— A. Lee Martinez, The Beginner Writer's Guide to Becoming Fabulously Successful (or not)
The problem is not just me (or you), it's that the internet wasn't designed for creativity and community building. The #1 advice for new entrepreneurs is niche to down... but the internet is designed to pit you against every other human on the planet. The result is an “endless screaming cacophony.” Instead of a place for nurturing niche communities, we've created a world-wide gladitorial arena where the .01% battle it out for the attention of millions.
What I've started to see as a web developer and business coach is all the reasons why the web is terrible at fostering real community, making it difficult to build a true fanbase. The internet was built around a model of consumption and advertising:
Sure, not everyone who wants to make a living writing or selling art is going to be able to quit their day job. But for those of you who are serious about making your craft a full or part-time gig, building a supportive community doesn't have to be THIS difficult. There are gaps where the existing sites and networks could make community building easier. However, the sites are so busy selling ads they haven't bothered.
If the internet is broken for creators and fans, then the solution is simple:
Create a space space optimized for creators and fans instead of ads.
So my mission is to create a website optimized for creativity and community building. Where creators can spend more time on art and engaging super fans instead of combing through thousands of strangers for attention. Where your fans can create wikis, fan art, and fiction to express themselves, connect, and attract more fans.
It's simple, but it's not going to be easy.
Learn about Ubiquitous Tavern's Grand Plan, and how you can help
