Full disclosure here. I wanted to play with ChatGPT again, and I also wanted to share about this new e-commerce platform, Gumroad, that I hadn’t heard about until my publisher notified me that one of my books was listed there for sale. I’ve read a few articles about Gumroad, but it would’ve taken a couple of hours to cobble together the information that ChatGPT was able to give me in mere seconds.
So, most of what is written here is directly as ChatGPT gave it to me. But before getting into that, here’s a link to my short story collection, Beyond the Crack in the Sidewalk, that’s available at Gumroad. It’s great to have another sales channel, for readers who appreciate options.
Okay, here’s the skinny on the business:
“Gumroad is an innovative platform that has revolutionized the way creators share and sell their digital products and content. Founded in 2011 by Sahil Lavingia, Gumroad has become a go-to platform for artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, and a wide range of other creators looking to monetize their creative endeavors. Its user-friendly interface and versatile features have attracted millions of creators and customers alike, fostering a thriving community centered around artistic expression and entrepreneurship.
“At its core, Gumroad is designed to make the process of selling digital products simple and accessible. Creators can effortlessly upload their products, such as ebooks, music, software, courses, and more, and set their preferred pricing or allow customers to pay what they want. This flexibility allows for a personalized approach to monetization, catering to different audience segments and markets. Additionally, Gumroad’s integration with various social media platforms enables creators to promote their work and reach a wider audience.
“One of the key strengths of Gumroad lies in its emphasis on direct interaction between creators and customers. Creators can build direct connections with their audience, fostering loyalty and long-term relationships. This direct-to-consumer model eliminates the need for middlemen and allows creators to retain more of their earnings. For customers, this means more direct access to the creators they admire, as well as the ability to offer feedback and suggestions for future content.
“Gumroad’s platform is designed to facilitate seamless transactions and secure payments. Customers can make purchases with just a few clicks, and the platform supports various payment methods, including credit cards and PayPal. Gumroad ensures the security of transactions, giving both creators and customers peace of mind.”
By the way, I bought a book while I was on the Gumroad site, and purchasing was easy and quick. One of the easiest sites to complete a transaction I’ve visited recently.
Curious as to why that name was chosen for the company, I went back to ChatGPT and asked. It wasn’t surprising that some of the reasons for the choice aligned with what I was already speculating:
“The name “Gumroad” was chosen for the business by its founder, Sahil Lavingia. When he started the company in 2011, he wanted a name that was memorable, catchy, and represented the essence of what the platform aimed to achieve.
“According to Sahil, he came up with the name while brainstorming various options for the company’s branding. He wanted something simple and playful that would resonate with users and be easy to remember. He eventually settled on “Gumroad” because he liked the way it sounded and how it evoked a sense of fun.
“The term “Gum” in Gumroad may be associated with the idea of something sticky, which could symbolize the way the platform helps creators stick to their goals and monetize their work. It might also be a nod to the “stickiness” of the platform in terms of attracting both creators and customers to engage with one another.
“Overall, the name “Gumroad” aligns with the platform’s mission of offering a straightforward and flexible solution for creators to sell their digital products directly to their audience. The name’s simplicity and uniqueness have likely contributed to its recognition and popularity among creators and customers alike.”
That last paragraph reads like it could’ve been taken from a company press release, and I admit that I like the simplicity and uniqueness of the name. It’s definitely memorable; and now that I know about this e-commerce site, I’ll set up an account to sell some of my other books.
Before I go, just a reminder about the sale at Smashwords that’s been going all month.
The sale ends today, so don’t miss your chance at a bargain read!
Open Season – free, Boxes for Beds – $1.99, Stalking Season – $1.99, Doubletake – $1.99, and The Wisdom of Ages – $0.99
That’s all from me for today. I hope your week starts off on a good note and continues that way, but above all, be happy. Be safe.