You call this entrepreneurship?

Chapter 410 How to Operate an IP
"Ah?!" Yang Ping was stunned at first, then surprised and happy, "Really?"

"Of course it's true." Xun Ziliang said with a smile, "I even brought the check."

Yang Ping stood up excitedly and held Xun Ziliang's hand tightly. "Thank you so much. Thank you for your support for Chinese science fiction."

It's not easy at all. Science fiction has never been mainstream literature and has not been taken seriously. Now that someone is willing to support it with real money, it must be warmly welcomed.

Yang Ping asked Xun Ziliang to wait for a moment while he immediately reported the situation to the editor-in-chief.

At that time, the editor-in-chief of Science Fiction World was Qin Li, who had worked at Science Fiction World magazine for 11 years and made many contributions.

Later, the female editor-in-chief resigned in 2008, and a top leader named Li was parachuted in to serve as president and editor-in-chief.

After the arrival of the president surnamed Li, he was opposed and condemned by all editors, publishers and readers because he had no idea about publishing the magazine. He was dismissed in 2010.

There was also a deputy editor-in-chief of a science fiction magazine named Yao who was dismissed in 2024. He also established the Nebula Award.

When Editor-in-Chief Qin heard that someone was coming to sponsor, he was naturally very happy. He personally received Xun Ziliang and asked about the specific details of the cooperation.

Xun Ziliang took out a document and handed it to Editor-in-Chief Qin, "This is a request drawn up by the boss."

Editor-in-Chief Qin looked at it carefully for a while, and asked tentatively: "Can this fund be merged with the Galaxy Prize?"

"No." Xun Ziliang rejected the proposal flatly, "First of all, this fund must be completely independent."

“If we merge it with the Galaxy Prize, then we can just sponsor the Galaxy Prize directly. Why bother setting up another foundation?”

"The judges for the selection will be composed of professionals, a total of five judges. Our China Science Fiction Promotion Association will have two judges, the magazine will have two judges, and we will hire one judge from the industry."

"Oh, I see." Editor-in-Chief Qin thought for a moment, "Okay, we can agree to this plan in principle, but we still need to discuss the specific details internally."

It's called a discussion, but there's actually nothing to discuss.

After all, they came here to cooperate for money, and they are just taking advantage of the fame of "Science Fiction World".

There is no point in your objection. If others don't agree, they will simply refuse to cooperate.

“The selection rules can be discussed and finalized, but in principle they will not be linked to the Galaxy Award, nor will winning the Galaxy Award be used as a bonus for the selected works.” Xun Ziliang emphasized, “The foundation must have its own independence.”

Editor-in-Chief Qin frowned, "Isn't this a bit inappropriate? After all, the winning works of the Galaxy Awards are all excellent."

"The selection of works will not exclude the Galaxy Award winners, but it will not be the focus of the award, which is also to encourage other science fiction writers." Xun Ziliang introduced, "Galaxy Award winners can also win the award."

"This is fine." Editor-in-Chief Qin could barely accept this rule.

"We will hold the first selection next year to see the results first," said Xun Ziliang. "We will continue to actively operate in the future to expand the influence of this fund and make it an Asian or even world-class award."

"In a few years we will expand the number of judges to include famous foreign science fiction writers."

Editor-in-Chief Qin was very happy and stretched out his hand to shake hands with Xun Ziliang. "I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation."

"It's a pleasure to work with you." Xun Ziliang smiled and shook hands in response, "But can I make a small request?"

"Please say."

"Can you put the novel "I Plant Potatoes on Mars" in the latest issue of the magazine and give it a prominent recommendation?" Xun Ziliang asked.

Editor-in-Chief Qin said nothing and looked at Yang Ping next to him.

"Ah?!" Yang Ping hesitated. "We have already arranged the layout of the latest issue of the magazine, and we have also proofread and reviewed this novel."

"Please." Xun Ziliang continued with a smile.

Editor-in-Chief Qin suddenly asked, "Xiao Yang, what do you think of this novel?"

Yang Ping thought for a moment and said seriously, "This novel is excellent, with ingenious ideas and twists and turns in the plot. It is a very good science fiction novel."

"Then put it in the latest issue." Editor-in-Chief Qin made the decision.

……

Qin Shaoyan soon received the latest issue of "Science Fiction World" and the royalties.

On the cover of Science Fiction World, it was written in large letters, "A science fiction version of Robinson Crusoe, teaching you how to survive alone on Mars!"

The first novel in the magazine was "I Plant Potatoes on Mars" written by Qin Shaoyan himself, and the editor-in-chief also wrote a recommendation.

Qin Shaoyan casually flipped through the magazine, threw the issue into the drawer, and then called Xiong Jiajia.

"Brother Xiong, get your men to act."

Xiong Jiajia was speechless. "You are such a shameless person. You wrote a book yourself and paid people to praise you. Can't you learn a little bit and let people praise you based on your own strength?"

"You know nothing." Qin Shaoyan retorted, "This is how it is in our business. When writing books, we flatter each other and everyone carries the sedan chair."

"Just knowing how to write a book is useless. You need resources and connections to support you."

"If no one praises it, it means that it has no status and no resources. Even a good book will be buried."

"I'm not bragging, I'm operating it reasonably. A good book should be operated vigorously!"

Xiong Jiajia didn't understand Qin Shaoyan's behavior, but he would still carry out the other party's requirements without any compromise.

The water army studio immediately became busy and appeared on major forums and BBSs.

Xici Hutong, Tianya, Mop, and a group of internet trolls began to push the latest novel released by Science Fiction World.

He praised the novel to the skies, saying things that even Qin Shaoyan himself found corny.

A number of professional book reviews also appeared, commenting on "I Plant Potatoes on Mars" from various angles from an objective and fair perspective.

“The best science fiction novel in China in the past decade!”

“A leading work that set off the sci-fi craze of the 21st century!”

“A new author’s debut! A rising star in the science fiction world! A promising future!”

These professional book reviewers are much more professional in praising people than the internet trolls, and they use all kinds of professional terms for analysis.

In short, there is subtlety in professionalism, praise hidden in subtlety, and praise in criticism. He is worthy of this job.

Soon there was a wave of enthusiasm on the Internet, and major forum communities were discussing: Who has read "I Plant Potatoes on Mars"?

How is it written?
Is it really good?

Then a large number of rational people stood up and assured with a solemn oath that although many people praised it to a disgusting degree, the novel was indeed good and worth reading.

Especially on the campus network’s hot search list, "I Plant Potatoes on Mars" has always been among the top five hot searches.

This wave naturally also brought about the hot sales of "Science Fiction World" magazine, and the latest issue of the magazine was sold out and in short supply.

Science Fiction World magazine immediately contacted the author of the novel and asked him to come up with the follow-up content immediately so that more copies could be printed in the next issue of the magazine.

Soon, a video of more than ten seconds suddenly appeared on Qvod.com, which was a conceptual trailer for "I Plant Potatoes on Mars".

The newly established animation company "MAGA" announced that it would cooperate with the author of "I Plant Potatoes on Mars" to adapt the novel into an animation. As soon as the trailer was released, it immediately topped the homepage of Qvod.com, and the number of views increased by hundreds of thousands.

In the desolate and silent Martian desert, the return capsule rocket has been launched into the dark night, and a lonely figure is standing on the ground.

The lone astronaut is surrounded by flashing crises: explosions, fires, depleted food and fuel, cold and hunger.

The biggest suspense is how difficult it is to survive alone on Mars.

The video’s playback volume reached over five million in one day, and thousands of comments showed its extremely high popularity.

……

Qvod.com.

Qin Shaoyan was looking at the data in the background, and he was silent. Kou Hongfei stood beside him and said carefully, "Boss Qin, we will keep this video on the top of the homepage for two days. By then, the actual number of views will definitely exceed five million."

"Yeah." Qin Shaoyan did not comment.

As expected, the trailer made a small correction to the data, as Qin Shaoyan always likes to multiply by ten.

However, the actual data of this trailer is that it has nearly one million views in half a day, which is enough to show that Qvod's position as the leader among video websites is very valuable.

Just any video pinned to the top of the homepage can get millions of views, not to mention this carefully crafted trailer. Even netizens who are not interested in science fiction will click in to check out the excitement.

After one year of development, Qvod is now capable of taking on big responsibilities.

Seeing that Qin Shaoyan said nothing, the other executives of Qvod looked at each other in bewilderment.

They were unsure of Mr. Qin's temper, and no one dared to speak.

Qin Shaoyan suddenly smiled, picked up his phone and called Davis directly.

"Davis, I recently made a great sci-fi animation."

"How great?" Davis asked casually.

"The trailer for this sci-fi animation has topped the front page of Qvod.com, with nearly eight million views a day." Qin Shaoyan said as he made an eight gesture to Kou Hongfei.

Kou Hongfei understood it immediately and took action himself, which led to a rapid increase in the number of views of the trailer for "I Plant Potatoes on Mars".

"Huh?" Davis was very surprised. "Is this sci-fi animation so popular?"

"This is adapted from an excellent science fiction novel. This novel is very popular and has attracted a lot of attention on the Internet recently." Qin Shaoyan said with a smile, "So my newly purchased animation studio decisively decided to adapt the novel into an animation."

"I didn't expect that I had underestimated the popularity of the novel. The trailer has received a lot of attention. I think this animation will definitely be very popular."

"Oh, congratulations." Davis congratulated, "You have discovered a new high-quality project."

"No, it should be congratulations to us." Qin Shaoyan corrected, "Did we discover a new high-quality project together?"

Davis was stunned for a moment, "What does this mean?"

"This animation will definitely be a success. I think this excellent animation should not be limited to China." Qin Shaoyan said calmly, "It should be recommended to netizens in the United States so that netizens all over the world can enjoy this science fiction animation on YouTube."

Davis asked tentatively, "Are you trying to sell this animation to YouTube?"

"No, it's a recommendation." Qin Shaoyan emphasized, "Isn't this excellent animation worth recommending?"

"YouTube needs some excellent original professional content now. It can't always rely on pirated resources to maintain itself. This is not good for YouTube's long-term business development."

"You have seen the anti-piracy incidents in the Chinese video website industry before. YouTube will fall into the same predicament sooner or later."

“So, turning to purchasing genuine professional content is the only way out now.”

Davis certainly knows that YouTube cannot continue to rely on pirating TV and movie dramas to survive, as demonstrated by the anti-piracy alliance established by Qin Shaoyan and Zhang Chaoyang.

Although they cannot set up a website, they can use piracy as an excuse to get advertisers on the website.

The absence of advertisers is a fatal blow to a website.

There are many parties whose copyright interests have been infringed by YouTube, including TV stations and Hollywood, and they will definitely take the anti-piracy alliance's tactics into account.

YouTube will be in a bad situation then.

So Davis recently stated this situation in his report to Bill Gates.

According to Qin Shaoyan's suggestion, combined with a series of events of the "Anti-Piracy Alliance" to support it.

Promoting the legalization of YouTube and achieving gender balance in the workplace are the three main things Davis does as a new official.

He immediately understood what Qin Shaoyan meant by this, "Should I start buying genuine resources from this animation?"

"This is not only an excellent animation." Qin Shaoyan changed the subject, "I think if it is made into a movie, it will also become an excellent film."

"Movie?" Davis couldn't keep up with Qin Shaoyan's jumping thoughts. "You want to make it into a movie?"

Qin Shaoyan continued, "I think it would be a good idea to sell the script to Hollywood."

"Just imagine that a popular cartoon produced by YouTube is sold to Hollywood and adapted into a movie, and then becomes a classic IP. What a wonderful story this is."

Davis was stunned, then thought for a moment, "Will it be difficult to sell it to Hollywood?"

"Everything depends on human effort." Qin Shaoyan said with a smile, "I think we can give it a try."

Davis asked in return, "Do you have connections in Hollywood?"

"A little bit." Qin Shaoyan replied, "But I think Bill should have some points too. Let's work together to make this happen."

"If this works, it will be very important for YouTube."

Davis was a little puzzled: "What's the point?"

"This means that YouTube has the ability to operate classic IPs," Qin Shaoyan replied, "This proves that YouTube plays an extraordinary role in the Internet industry."

"If a classic IP is well managed, it can generate long-term commercial returns, which is very beneficial to YouTube's stock price."

Davis was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "How much?"

Qin Shaoyan asked tentatively: "I think two million dollars is a suitable price."

"Deal!" Davis agreed happily.

Qin Shaoyan felt a little regretful, wondering if he had shouted too low.

However, two million dollars is a very profitable price, enough to sustain the "MAGA" animation company for a year.

Moreover, this cartoon is also the first shot of "MAGA". I hope they can become an instant hit.

Qin Shaoyan put down his phone, turned around and told his secretary Xiao Chen, "Spread the news, the animation of "I Plant Potatoes on Mars" has sold for two million US dollars."

(End of this chapter)