Having wrapped up his 16th Kickstarter, cartoonist Dave Kellett shares some insights about setting realistic expectations, avoiding paid advertising, and...
It’s time to admit to ourselves that comic conventions aren’t what they used to be. And if you’re an independent artist trying to build an audience, sell merchandise, and improve your business, you need to take that very seriously. Convention promoters are counting on your naiveté and lack of market research. Don’t fall for it. Do the math, and prove it to yourself.
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If you use GoDaddy, you should reset your password immediately. They’ve reported a breach that had gone for two months before being discovered. If that makes you mad, this announcement from Wordfence will make matters worse…
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How often are we presented with the image of tortured creative souls, staring plaintively at a the tools of their craft, unable to make the slightest move because of “writer’s block.”
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Last year, I had some advice for people who were concerned about a site that was taking Patreon creators’ exclusive content and posting it in a publicly searchable site. There was an update to the story that’s worth discussing.
Filing a DMCA takedown notice, and the potential problems that may arise
I also wrote this:
These people have a baked-in problem with their scheme. They want to collect exclusive content and place it in a place to be accessed for free. The problem with that is that this creates very large server costs. In other words, sharing free content can get expensive. So, many of these sites turn to their users for donations. Let that sink in… they’re turning to people who are using their site to get paywalled content for free… and asking them to pay. So, inevitably, these sites tend to buckle under their own weight. After all… put yourself in this person’s shoes. They are footing the bill, month after month, so thousands of people can have free content. For a few months, you see yourself as a revolutionary. After a year or so, you look in the mirror and see a schmuck.
Later that year, the person footing the bill for the server in question may have finally found that mirror. They closed the site down because it had become too expensive to maintain. And — surprise, surprise — the people who frequented the site weren’t interested in paying money to defray the costs.
It’s not worth debating why the person decided to stop paying the server costs. The important takeaway is this.
Someone can only steal what you did yesterday.
Your Patreon backers aren’t in it for the archive (although that is be an importantcomponent of the total rewards offered). Rather, they’re in it for the journey. To be part of the experience as it happens in real time.
There’s a reason that I devoted an entire chapter of “The Webcomics Handbook” to Community Building. It’s essential to what we, as webcartoonists, do.
We build a Community.
That’s why I don’t say “support me on Patreon.” That’s all about me.
I say “JOIN US ON PATREON.” That’s about us.
A scraper site can steal your content. But they can never steal your Community.
B.F. Skinner’s research showed that rewards and punishments can be used to alter a subject’s behavior. We can use those same, simple techniques to change how our readers interact with us on social meida.
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Surprise. Thanksgiving is next week. As you know, the Friday after Thanksgiving officially kicks off the holiday shopping season for brick-and-mortar retailers. The following Monday, “Cyber Monday,” is the official launch for online sellers.
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Let’s talk about one of those savvy touches that can help take your art to the next level. And, ironically enough, it’s not all about creating a neater, more tidy image. It’s about adding detritus.
Detritus
No, it’s not a city in Michigan. Detritus means “waste or debris.” It is literally dust and sand and dirt and leaves. And if your character is moving though space, there’s a good chance that they’re kicking up a fair amount of it. Especially if they’re moving quickly!
Check out the deftly detrit-ed panels to the right. Cartoonist Dave Kellett uses little specs and dots to give his characters an authentic walk through the grass.
Heck, even if your character is just standing there, a little detritus gives the image a more genuine look. For example, take another example from Dave Kellett.
This image above has a couple different types of detritus. The specs of dirt and gravel at the dog’s feet are definitely detritus. But I would argue that the background dots/crosshatching added by his colorist, Beth Reidmiller, counts as well.
Today’s show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One! This week, we wonder whether getting an animated series on a streaming service is the new brass ring for cartoonists.
Questions asked and topics covered…
Is Netflix the goal?
USPS… it’s getting worse
Facebook and Instagram
Schulz Museum is NOV 2022, not this Nov 22nd
Finding a romantic parter
non-comics stuff that drives your passion
For more information about preparing your comic for an animated pitch, listen to ComicLab #132
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