When it comes to the World Wide Web, there have been many changes in the last decade. Just about anything can be accessed and purchased online. With websites like Netflix for films, Rhapsody for music, and Amazon for whatever else it is that you could be looking for, if you can think of it, you can find it.
This is referred to as the long tail. The long tail is a selling strategy that focuses on accommodating for particular niches. With this strategy, companies are selling larger amounts of different items in smaller quantities, compared to companies that are selling smaller amounts of popular items in large amounts.
Chris Anderson talks about the Pareto or the 80/20 rule. According to this rule only 20% of music, films, and books etc. will be hits, while the other 80% will miss. But according to Robbie Vann Adibo, the CEO of Ecast, actually 99% of everything sells because nearly everything is demand.
With everything being in demand, there are increases in independent production. Many people can now create their own media, and put it on the web. This is done for films also. There are many independent film makers, that make films and sell them to online movie stores.
All of these factors can be associated with infinite shelf space. Infinite shelf space can be helpful to both the consumer and producer. It beneficial to the consumer since it allows them to search through a wide array of selections that stores do not usually carry, since their space is limited. By browsing online, consumers are almost guaranteed to find exactly what they are looking for. It helps the producer by allowing them to get their work out more effectively and efficiently. With this happening, it should allow their sells to grow. And making money is what it is all about.
References
Anderson, Chris. (2004). "The Long Tail". WIRED Magazine, Issue 12.10. Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/tail.html?pg=2&topic=tail&topic_set=.
Anderson, Chris. (2004). "The Long Tail". WIRED Magazine, Issue 12.10. Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/tail.html?pg=2&topic=tail&topic_set=.
Anderson, Chris. (2006). "Identifying The Long Tail". [Video File]. Video Posted to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yku0GTrcuw&feature=fvw.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yku0GTrcuw&feature=fvw.
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