George Lucas decided to do the next Star Wars his way after the initial success of Episode IV: A New Hope (then simply titled “Star Wars”) in 1977.
This meant being in control of as much as possible: filming, editing, merchandizing, sequel rights, and even the funding itself—which he could now do with the profits from the first movie.
He wanted to control pretty much everything except for the distribution.
For that he still had to work together with a bigger studio—something he always despised.
Standard studio negotiations would almost always be in favor of the studio. Giving them as much as 50% to 80% of the profits.
But not this time.
The fact that 1) George Lucas already secured his own funding with his prior profits as collateral for a loan and 2) pretty much every big studio wanted to get their hands on the next Star Wars release meant that the negotiation would look a lot different than studios were used to.
Ultimately Lucas decided to work together with 20th Century Fox, giving them only a 22.5% share of the profits in return for handling the distribution (and putting the Fox logo before the opening credits).
In a later quote, Steven Spielberg said:
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“If you’re an executive, suddenly you realize that if you’re going into business with George Lucas, you are no longer in the 20th Century-Fox business, you are in the George Lucas business.”
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Read that quote again.
Take it in. Then pause and think about it.
Try to truly understand the implications.
Because if you understand what’s going on here. Which forces are at play. And if you do everything in your power to build your business in a similar manner—to create your own business universe in a way.
Then I can guarantee this will be one of the most profitable lessons you’ll ever learn.
Don’t think of yourself as being in the “personal-branding”, “copywriting”, “life-coaching”, “web-design”, or even the “marketing” business.
You’re in the you-business.
Just as I and everyone who works with me is in the Alex Van Dromme business.
This is why there was no competing with Star Wars back in the day.
They weren’t in the movie business, nor were they in the fantasy or science-fiction business.
They were in the George Lucas business.
And one of the fastest and easiest ways I know to start building your own business universe is to build your own unique, world-driven, and valuable (and profitable) collection of (digital) products and services that you and you alone could offer.
I urge you to try this—I even dare you to try and not be successful after thinking this through and building your own business universe step by step.
Anyway.
If you want to learn how to get started building your collection of products.
Then click the link here: https://alexvandromme.gumroad.com/l/product