What Transformers Can Teach Us About Online Business

Transformers. Good stuff.

Seeing a picture of the cartoon Optimus Prime brings back great memories. Whether it was the cartoon TV show or the Optimus Prime toy I got for my birthday, I loved the Transformers.

If you’re not American or Japanese, you may not understand what I’m talking out. In the US, Transformers was an animated TV series that ran from 1984-1987. It may not have had the biggest TV audience, but the kids who liked it really liked it. They loved the show. Transformers were also these cool automobile toys which could transform into robots. Best toys ever.

Fast forward two decades later, and Transformers is now a summer blockbuster movie. Last Tuesday, Transformers earned $27.4 million dollars (via), which broke the Tuesday movie opening record by over $10 million.

So, how does a kids cartoon from the 1980s become a huge movie hit? How do robot toys translate into a $27 million payday?

The answer: rabid, passionate, cult-like fans.

Transformers was never really big until this week. The cartoon TV show didn’t have too many viewers. The toys didn’t break any sales records. No one waited in line to buy the newest Transformers robot toy. However, it had potential to become big because of its fans.

Now I’m not the biggest Transformers fan. I don’t dress up in Transformers costumes. But Transformers impacted my childhood so much that I asked all my friends to watch Transformers with me. What you have to realize is I don’t like going to the theater. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I went there.

Here’s more evidence of Transformers’ rabid fanbase. The movie viewers were split between 60% male and 40% female. That’s a lot of guys convincing their girlfriends to watch an action flick filled with talking robots :)

So, what does Transformers have to do with online business?

Simple. Are you building a business that will attract a passionate fanbase? Will a group of people be excited with your products or services?

I use the word excited because no one becomes a fan without some kind of excitement or passion.

And here’s what is great about true fans. They will market and promote your product for free. But if you don’t have fans… well, let’s just say your advertising budget will feel it.

Here are some quick examples of this phenomenon I call
small but passionate fanbase = big payday.

* Writely (free web-based word processor) bought by Google

* Blogger (blogging web-based software) bought by Google

* Reddit (Digg-like site) bought by Condé Nast, Wired Magazine’s Publisher

* Flickr (photo-sharing site) bought by Yahoo

Since you’re in online business, you don’t have to wait long for your big payday. Internet social media creates fanbases quickly. The reach of the internet allows you to attract fans from all over the world.

You don’t have to make something big. Many php programmers could’ve programmed the first version of Digg. You just have to come up with a good idea and execute it well. You just have to make something remarkable enough to draw a passionate fanbase.

So, make something people will love – not just like. Market it well and pretty soon a big player will come, see your fanbase, and give you a big payday.