Understanding social media

Understanding social media

Social media is among an independent artist's most frustrating elements. We struggle for engagement, wage constant battles with "The Algorithm,"...
Read More
Writing humor

Writing humor

Writing comedy is a challenge that is made even more daunting by the fact that humor itself is completely subjective...
Read More
CMYK vs RGB

CMYK vs RGB

If you're saving your comics in RGB mode, you may be making a potentially expensive mistake. The content you are...
Read More
ComicLab Ep 358 — “Help! I’m not funny anymore!”

ComicLab Ep 358 — “Help! I’m not funny anymore!”

Cartoonists Dave and Brad share some thoughts with a young humor writer trying to find their Funny. Also: Is BlueSky...
Read More
ISBN — a beginner’s guide

ISBN — a beginner’s guide

An ISBN is a 10- or 13-digit number used to identify a book from a specific publisher. Once your book...
Read More
How to write a Halloween joke

How to write a Halloween joke

On Substack, a cartoonist was struggling with writing a Halloween joke. He was experiencing a common problem. He was stuck...
Read More
Webcomics Confidential: Size doesn’t matter

Webcomics Confidential: Size doesn’t matter

when it comes to your audience, size doesn't matter. A small and engaged readership beats a huge, lukewarm audience every...
Read More
ComicLab Ep 357 — Innovation fascination

ComicLab Ep 357 — Innovation fascination

Having wrapped up his 16th Kickstarter, cartoonist Dave Kellett shares some insights about setting realistic expectations, avoiding paid advertising, and...
Read More
Adding lettering to improve original art sales

Adding lettering to improve original art sales

Selling original art is an integral part of the business model of an independent cartoonist who works with traditional media...
Read More
Reader retention

Reader retention

Let's face it. One of the biggest hurdles in growing a webcomic is reader retention. That's why I encourage you...
Read More

When to launch — and conclude — a Kickstarter campaign

While recording an interview for the marvelous Story/Comic podcast, I discussed my strategy for secretly launching a Kickstarter to Patreon backers. The show’s host, Barney Smith, asked, “Does that increase your Kickstarter campaign from 30 to 31 days?” At that moment, I realized there was a significant misunderstanding in how to plan a Kickstarter.

The content you are trying to access is only available to members.
by on November 22, 2023
Posted In: Crowdfunding
1 Comment

Holiday shipping deadlines

It’s hard to believe we’re approaching the winter holiday season, but here we are. If you’re shipping merchandise expecting to have it there before the holidays, here are some deadlines to be aware of.

The content you are trying to access is only available to members.
by on November 21, 2023
Posted In: Merchandise
 Comment 

ComicLab Ep 309 — Parasocial parables

Is it wise to exploit parasocial relationships to get more Patreon backers?

ON THIS WEEK’S SHOW…

  • Drunk ComicLab
  • Parasocial relationships on Patreon
  • Are ads making a comeback?
  • After the Thanos Snap — would Brad and Dave do a podcast?
by on November 16, 2023
Posted In: ComicLab
 Comment 
Writing Creativity icon

Remove your first panel

If you’ve been a reader of Webcomics.com for a while, you know how much I loathe “magic number” advice. But as much as I detest typing it, this “one weird trick” will almost certainly improve your comic.

The content you are trying to access is only available to members.
by on November 15, 2023
Posted In: Writing
3 Comments

Webcomics Confidential: T-shirt psychology

Nobody wants to buy a T-shirt with your character or your logo on it. It’s not that your original character is bad. Rather, it’s the fact that you don’t understand why people buy (and wear) T-shirts.

The content you are trying to access is only available to members.
by on November 13, 2023
Posted In: Merchandise
 Comment 

ComicLab Ep 308 — The New Patreon: The Good, The Bad, and That Logo

Patreon has unveiled a massive update to its service, and we’ll discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly.

ON THIS WEEK’S SHOW…

The Good

  • The user experience has some significant improvements
  • Collections
  • eStore — Buy digital goods.
  • Find Creators You Love — a somewhat improved attempt at discoverability
  • Member Posts section is being sunsetted

The Bad

  • Anemic analytics. Graphtreon still beats Patreon’s own data.
  • Patreon’s pivot to social media. I have lots of places to talk to my fans. Social media is where I go to make NEW fans. That means Discoverability. Where’s that??
  • Patreon Chat. It’s a straight 50-50 split. Half of my patrons can’t see/access the chat, and the other half don’t care.
  • Making a new post: BAD interface. Separates different parts of the process to different screens. It makes it super awkward to select tiers.

The Ugly

  • That logo is laughable. Whoever designed it belongs in the Witless Protection Program.
by on November 9, 2023
Posted In: ComicLab
 Comment 

Reddit posting strategy

This is an excellent time to start an account on Reddit — or to dust off a profile you haven’t used in ages. With 52 million active users and passionate communities, Reddit can help bolster the engagement you’re losing at Twitter.

The content you are trying to access is only available to members.
by on November 8, 2023
Posted In: Marketing / Social Media
 Comment 

Clip Studio Paint tutorial: Adding highlights to black hair

Drawing a person with black hair can be tricky. If you’re not careful, you can end up with someone who looks as if a stack of vinyl records melted on their head! This three-minute Clip Studio Paint tutorial shows my method for adding intricate looking (buy easy to do) highlights that will allow color to radiate through — giving you character a textured and nuanced appearance.

Highlights for Black Hair

The effect, when color is added, can be quite beautiful.

by on November 7, 2023
Posted In: Art
 Comment