Webcomics.com

Understanding social media

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

Writing humor

Writing comedy is a challenge that is made even more daunting by the fact that humor itself is completely subjective...

CMYK vs RGB

If you're saving your comics in RGB mode, you may be making a potentially expensive mistake. The content you are...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Reader retention

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

ComicLab Ep 295: Too many SHOULDs

Today’s show is sponsored by DriveThruComics.com! It’s the first download comic shop — and we think it’s the best!

You should build a following on social media. You should launch a website. You should focus on the quality of your comic. How do you manage all of these “SHOULDs?!”

ON THIS WEEK’S SHOW…

Too many “SHOULDs”
UPDATE: ComicLab LIVE at NCS Reuben Awards Weekend: Sept. 8, 11 a.m. Special guest Sarah Andersen (Sarah’s Scribbles)
What cartooning advice would an 18-year-old actually listen to?
Losing the passion for NSFW comics

DriveThruComics

Check out the redesigned DriveThruComics here! Their team is looking for feedback as they work on the new layout and features, so pass along your thoughts using this Google Form.

If you’re interested in setting up a publisher account, here’s some helpful information. They also have guides for creating and publishing digital and print-on-demand books!

by Brad Guigar on August 10, 2023

Posted In: ComicLab

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It’s not uncommon to panic in the early days of a Kickstarter campaign. After that initial shower of pledges, the activity often drains out — leaving the creator wondering if they’re going to be left all wet. That’s when it’s time to get into the “tub.”

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by Brad Guigar on August 9, 2023

Posted In: Crowdfunding

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Finding your unique drawing style

Finding a unique and identifiable drawing style is one of the first obsessions a beginner artist has. How is this accomplished? It’s all about the rearview mirror.

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by Brad Guigar on August 8, 2023

Posted In: Art

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Livestream Chat: Doing a quiet voice in comics lettering

How do you represent someone whispering in a comic? If you choose to make the lettering itself smaller, you’re sacrificing legibility — and that’s dangerous. After all, that’s Guigar’s Law of Lettering: “nobody’s gonna read your comic if they can’t read your comic.” In this Livestream Chat, let’s talk about different approaches to getting it done… quietly.

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by Brad Guigar on August 7, 2023

Posted In: Webcomics Confidential

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ComicLab Ep 294 — Pulling at Threads

Today’s show is sponsored by DriveThruComics.com! It’s the first download comic shop — and we think it’s the best!

Social media giant Meta launched Threads and acquired over 40,000 users within the first 24 hours. Will this be the death knell for Twitter? And if it is, will that be good news for comic creators?

ON THIS WEEK’S SHOW…

Threads
Free Trials on Patreon
TweetDeck is going to become subscription-only
ComicLab LIVE at NCS Reuben Awards Weekend: Sept. 8, 11 a.m. Special guest Sarah Andersen (Sarah’s Scribbles)

DriveThruComics

Check out the redesigned DriveThruComics here! Their team is looking for feedback as they work on the new layout and features, so pass along your thoughts using this Google Form.

If you’re interested in setting up a publisher account, here’s some helpful information. They also have guides for creating and publishing digital and print-on-demand books!

by Brad Guigar on August 3, 2023

Posted In: ComicLab

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August To-Do List

It’s the first month of the second half of the year! Let’s get a plan in place to finish 2023 strong!

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by Brad Guigar on August 1, 2023

Posted In: To-Do List

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Webcomics Confidential: Calendars

Should you produce a calendar to sell to your followers? There are some pretty severe pitfalls we should discuss first.

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by Brad Guigar on July 31, 2023

Posted In: Merchandise

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A Comic-Con about… comics?!?

Today’s show is sponsored by DriveThruComics.com! It’s the first download comic shop — and we think it’s the best!

With Marvel, Netflix, Sony, HBO, and Universal pulling out of Hall H, what will San Diego Comic-Con be like? Some say that removing the Hollywood sightings and signings will allow the attendees to return their focus to the comics creators the show was initially founded to celebrate. Others fear a floor full of angry fans who spent hundreds on a show that isn’t there.

ON THIS WEEK’S SHOW…

With Marvel, Netflix, Sony, HBO, and Universal pulling out of Hall H, what will SDCC be like?
UPDATE: Mastodon still ain’t it
UPDATE: BlueSky
UPDATE: Patreon video extended to Founder’s level

DriveThruComics

Check out the redesigned DriveThruComics here! Their team is looking for feedback as they work on the new layout and features, so pass along your thoughts using this Google Form.

If you’re interested in setting up a publisher account, here’s some helpful information. They also have guides for creating and publishing digital and print-on-demand books!

by Brad Guigar on July 27, 2023

Posted In: ComicLab

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