1000 True Fans Model

This business model originates from Kevin Kelly's well-known 1,000 True Fans essay. In Kelly's words, a True Fan is defined as someone who will purchase anything and everything you produce. Kelly essentially argues that to have some success online, you don’t need a huge audience. You just need to nurture a large enough community of true fans willing to fully support you.

• The key challenge is that you have to maintain direct contact with your 1,000 True Fans;
• This small circle of diehard fans is surrounded by concentric circles of Lesser Fans;
• You don't need hits to survive;
• Not every artist is cut out, or willing, to be a nurturer of fans. For these creatives, they need someone to manage their fans;
• Direct fans are best;
• The actual number may vary depending on the media;