In the most recent installment of my video series, we’ll talk about strategies for writing better beginnings and endings
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It’s already December. It’s a month dominated by holidays — both preparing for and celebrating them — and it’s the end of the year. It’s probably the most challenging months for a webcartoonist, so let’s get organized.
Many people who are thinking about starting a webcomic for the first time have a lot of questions. Where should they publish? What social-media networks work best? How long before they’re able to launch a Patreon? But there’s a very important issue that’s just as important as these — if not moreseo. And it’s a question almost none of them ask:
What are my expectations?
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From now until Dec. 1, Clip Studio Paint is offering both versions of its software for 50% off. CSP is strongly endorsed for comics-creation by Webcomics.com, and this is a great time to pick it up if you’ve been tempted in the past. Also, the half-off sale applies to upgrading from Pro to EX in the past. The EX version unlocks certain animation capabilities as well as some 3D options such as converting a 3D image to lineart.
Social media has gotten more sophisticated. Your posts need to adapt. Video outreach is not only easy but, according to strategic marketing agency Insivia, viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch a video ‚ compared to 10% when reading it in text. And since social-media posts with video have 47% more views, according to HubSpot, the time is now to start re-thinking how you’re posting your work — and how video can play a part.
It’s easy to build a video presentation of your comic. For example, Apple’s iMove, which ships with Macintosh computers, is intuitive and versatile as a video-editing tool. But take some time to avoid some easy mistakes.
A panel-by-panel run-through of your comic is a no-brainer. Be sure to leave enough time for a slow reader to make it through all of the word balloons in the panel before advancing the video to the next panel.
If you’d like a quick-and-easy way to do this, upload the comic in a multi-image post for your Patreon backers. Open the post in Patreon’s app, and use Screen Record on your iPhone. (If you don’t have it, go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls, then tap the + next to Screen Recording. Android users will have to download an app or unlock the built-in recorder by going through a few steps.
Consider creating a trailer for your comic. Just like a movie trailer, this introduces the central themes in your comic — or in the latest chapter of an ongoing-storyline comic — and entices the viewer to find out more. This is also an excellent way to promote a new downloadable eComic.
Why stop there? Record yourself reading your comic and sync it to a panel-by-panel pan-through of your comic. Upload it on YouTube. Check out the Comicstorian channel to get some ideas.
We already discussed the effectiveness of time-lapse videos, but why stop there? If you livestream or record process videos for your Patreon backers, pull a clip and record a quick voiceover (and/or add some captions) and explain why you’re doing what you’re doing. Artists and non-artists alike enjoy learning about how art is made.
You got into comics because you wanted to be creative. So get creative! When I was looking for a new way to share clips from my podcast, ComicLab, I turned to my UArts intern, Asia Blackshear, and encouraged her to tackle it as an animation project. The result was a series of video posts that generated excellent engagement.
his week, a ComicLab listener asks if it’s better to write from anger or from love. Also: Is January a bad time to launch a new webcomic?
Questions asked and topics covered…
It’s hard to believe we’re approaching the winter holiday season, but here we are. If you’re shipping merchandise with an expectation of having it there before the holidays, here are some deadlines to be aware of.
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Earlier this 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 has been an update to the story that’s worth discussing.
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According to Medium.com, Amazon is about to enter the e-mail marketing arena, offering a competitor to MailChimp and other similar vendors. Many of us use MailChimp as part of a reader-outreach strategy that includes sending comics and/or newsletters. The Conventional Wisdom is to back Amazon in this race based on the size of the company alone.
But they’re missing a very important factor.
The content you are trying to access is only available to members.This week, a ComicLab listener writes in to inform Dave and Brad that neither of them “actually have a cartoonist’s job.” To put it lightly, the guys disagree.
But first, Brad creates a socially distant candy chute for Halloween.
Questions asked and topics covered…
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