April was an excellent example of the tremendous value offered by a subscription to Webcomics.com. My readers got early alerts on issues that would impact their businesses, helpful tutorials, insightful analysis, and meaningful feedback on their work.
Most notably, in April, the new Webcomics Confidential video series truly hit its stride. I’ll post some clips and excerpts below, but to get the full discussions, you’ll need to subscribe!

Webcomics Confidential — ShameFUL self-promotion

We’ve all heard of “shameless self-promotion,” but there’s such a thing as shameFUL self-promotion — and that’s low-yield, pointless, ineffective promotion. If you’ve ever posted “check out my web-comic” then you’re guilty, too. Learn how to avoid the pitfalls of poor promotion — and, more importantly, learn how to do the kind of effective promotion that your comic deserves. [Subscribers can view this video right now]

 

 Kickstarter — The Add-On Reward

Whenever a Kickstarter campaign attains its goal, it’s expected that the creator will announce a Stretch Goal. I know that was the expectation when I hit my funding goal with two weeks of campaigning to go. But I really didn’t have a good Stretch Goal lined up. My readers have never strongly supported merchandise outside of the graphic-novel line, so maquettes, action figures and toys were out.Heck, I’ve never even seen a strong enough demand for hardcover editions to justify that expense. Besides, adding all of that stuff to the mix means accounting for extra shipping expenses, and I wasn’t certain that I was going to be able to hit a Stretch Goal if it accounted for all of the extra money that would be needed.

And — really — now that I’ve reached my goal, isn’t it wiser to simply run up the numbers for the current Kickstarter? I mean, I have a three-volume omnibus book that I want to pitch to my readers, but I think it’s better to let that stand on its own merits — with its own Kickstarter.

However, I did want to maximize the money I’d be able to generate in the next two weeks of Kickstarter funding.

And that’s when I discovered the beauty of the Add-on.

The Kickstarter Add-on was pioneered by tabletop-gaming project creators, who have used them to allow backers to add expansion packs, extra cards and game pieces. Since then, add-ons have become popular for projects in every category.

I offered a single Add-on — a PDF that collected the NSFW comics I was doing for Patreon since last April. I alerted my Kickstarter backers that it would be available as a $20 add-on. That announcement went out on April 7.

Three days later, I’ve seen $720 in increased pledges. [Public post — read it now!]

Book Cover Hot Seat

Participants posted their book covers, and we workshopped them to identify improvements.

Webcomics Confidential — Small Cons and Come-and-go Patrons

I take on a couple pf good questions. First — Are smaller comic conventions really better for webcartoonists? And then — Patreon backers who come and go… are they a problem? I’ll answer both of those questions and manage to insult vegans all at the same time. [Subscription post]

 

Be Picky When Choosing Promotion

So, what if I offered a small promo box that participants could add to their comic sidebars. The box would randomly generate a small banner and link to one of our comics. Are you in or out?

I think the answer should be out.

And I’ll tell you why… [Subscription post]
 

Webcomics Confidential — Comic Convention Grief Counseling

In response to my recent show on comic conventions, a Webcomics.com member wrote to ask about the intangibles involved with exhibiting — stuff like exposure and promotion and improving one’s sales skills. Weren’t they reason enough to continue to exhibit at comic conventions? My response is Episode 7 of Webcomics Confidential. [Subscription post]

 

Webcomics Confidential — Translating your comic

Should you translate your comic and try to sell overseas? Much like this post on promotion, it’s a bigger question of decision-making. [Subscription post]

 

Webcomics Confidential — Cargo Cults

How often has this happened to you? You see a webcartoonist doing something — and it’s a big success. So you do that thing. But you’re not as successful as they were. Once you identify Cargo Cult mentality, you can start to avoid the bad decisions that it leads to. [Subscription post]

 

Webcomics Confidential — Business Managers

What would you do if you had your own “Robert Khoo”? Would you do the To Do list he told you to do?

No you wouldn’t. You’re a fibber who fibs.

And I’ll tell you why…

 

Webcomics Confidential — Better Writing Through Editing

Chances are, your writing falls flat for one very important reason — Editing. You either don’t want to edit — or you don’t know how. And good editing is waaaay more than catching spelling errors and correcting grammar. So today we’re going to talk about good editing practices.

But first — What is the biggest pitfall involved in hiring a business manager? Why is the history of creative professionals littered with people whose managers have taken advantage of them? And what is the John 8:1 of Webcomics Weekly??

It’s all on this barnstorming edition of Webcomics Confidential! [Subscription post]

 

Backerkit

Backerkit has completely changed the way I fulfill Kickstarter rewards. That alone is worth an endorsement.

For my most recent Kickstarter, that came to about $560.

I made that money back in the first 12 hours after launching Backerkit.

As of now, less than 24 hours later, that number has nearly doubled — about $970.

How did they do that? Glad you asked… [Subscription post]