"Boss, compared to Zhutian Literature Network, we have both advantages and disadvantages.
Our disadvantage lies in our update speed. We're not as fast as Zhutian Literature Network. They update daily, while we only update twice a month. Sometimes, the amount we update in a month doesn't even match what they update in two days.
Besides that, our limited quantity is also a disadvantage. Our magazine only has a hundred-odd pages, and each issue can only serialize a fixed number of novels. But Zhutian Literature Network is different; their serialized novels are only increasing. We can't compare in terms of sheer volume.
Furthermore, some readers might only like one or two of the serialized stories in our magazine, and not really care for the others. They might buy it but not even read them. However, since magazines can't be sold separately, they have to buy the whole thing. Over at Zhutian Literature Network, each novel is independent. If a reader likes one, they subscribe to it. If they don't like another, they simply don't subscribe. They can even skip chapters they don't like or abandon the story altogether, and then not subscribe to anything further. This is far more flexible and free than our system."
The editor-in-chief of the Fantasy Magazine paused after listing the disadvantages, then quickly moved on to their advantages:
"Okay, those were the disadvantages. We definitely have advantages too. For instance, there's a difference between a physical book and intangible data on the internet. When people particularly like a novel, most of them are willing to buy a physical copy for collection. Also, compared to the mixed quality of novels on Zhutian Literature Network, our magazine's novels are undeniably more refined. So, we can completely focus on quality. We can increase promotional efforts, and even subtly attack online literature as being low-quality and cheap."
"Your suggestion is no different from saying nothing. In the end, it's just about improving product quality and maliciously suppressing opponents. Boss, my point remains the same as before: going against the tide of the times is absolutely suicidal. We only have two choices right now. Either we follow suit and start our own literature website. Or we slowly decline. It won't just be our magazine declining, but most magazines. I foresee a future where most magazines will go bankrupt, leaving only a few to barely survive, perhaps by relying on the publishing industry, struggling to stay afloat."
The editor-in-chief of the Sci-Fi Magazine reiterated his previous point, a sharp intuition honed by years of experience. The gradual decline of traditional literature and the shrinking newspaper industry served as precedents. The tide of the times rolls forward; anyone trying to stop it is like a mantis trying to block a chariot.
Regarding this issue, many editors-in-chief and general managers present offered various opinions and suggestions. The final consensus was that as long as computers were not universally adopted, they still had room to survive. However, it was inevitable that industry profits would be eroded, and the cake would be divided by Zhutian Literature Network. If they didn't want to wait for decline, they had to reform quickly.
Therefore, they logically chose to improve themselves while simultaneously venturing into the online literature industry. They absolutely could not allow Zhutian Literature Network to become a sole dominant force. Even if it was for future cooperation with Zhutian Literature Network and to increase their own bargaining power, they had to enter this industry and occupy a certain market share.
Thus, as soon as the meeting ended, they immediately began contacting authors in large numbers, collecting and consolidating novels currently in stock and previously published by their magazines, to prepare for the establishment of their own company's online literature website in the near future. Compared to others, they held an advantage in this regard. Other industries wanting to enter this field and take a piece of the pie would first lack works and authors. But their company's main operation was the cultural and entertainment industry. While their dozen-odd magazines didn't have a massive number of contracted authors, they had contact with a vast number of them. They might not have many "classic" novels, but they could easily produce thousands of reasonably good ones. And thousands of books would be enough to sustain them for a while.
Then, they could continue to solicit contributions from authors or invite authors to join their literature website. Compared to Zhutian Literature Network, which didn't even have a publishing house, they had their advantages. Most authors who wanted to publish and felt that only through books could they be considered true authors would definitely prefer to join their literature website. Most importantly, once they had enough authors and readers, they could even hold a vote. Excellent works could be serialized in magazines, which should indirectly increase the number of authors and magazine sales.
Concurrently, other magazines and literary enterprises that were crying wolf made similar choices, undergoing reform and innovation, and entering the online literature industry. But more often, it was out of helplessness, just going with the flow or trying to improve themselves. This was because not all magazines belonged to a large company with a dozen subsidiaries. Some magazines might be a single entity, operating only one or two publications. Such magazines lacked the capital, works, or authors to compete for a share. Some with already poor sales, or small regional magazines, might not even realize the issue, let alone feel any anxiety or need for change.
As a result, not long after, Ding Yun discovered that Zhutian Literature Network had gained many competitors. Some authors even switched allegiance, seeing the vast publishing and distribution channels and influence of the literature websites founded by several large cultural enterprises. Some even directly breached contracts to jump ship. Fortunately, Ding Yun's core strength lay in the works she acquired from the cultural communication system's bookstore. The authors of those works were not from this world, and all uploads and publications were handled by artificial intelligence. So, let alone jumping ship, even if people offered higher salaries to poach them, it would be completely useless. Therefore, while these changes brought some impact to Ding Yun's Zhutian Literature Network, the overall effect was not significant, and the loss of readers was not substantial.
However, this also made Ding Yun realize that print media still held considerable influence. Most people trusted print media more and wished for their works to be printed in magazines rather than just circulated online. Therefore, she soon began acquiring struggling magazines and publishing houses, and even started acquiring small film and television production companies. Regardless, these industries would eventually be involved. It was better to set up the framework in advance.