After years of listening to Brad and Dave extoll the virtues of self-publishing, a ComicLab listener signed with a corporate publisher. Poor sales and paltry marketing left them dissatisfied, so of course, they wrote in with one burning question: Who should I sign with next? Also, should you ever explain a joke?

Topics

• The first publisher was a disappointment... and we want to try it again
• illustrated novels
• UPDATE: The USPTO has canceled Marvel and DC‘s trademark filing for superhero
• Should you EXPLAIN A JOKE when someone says, “I don’t get it?"

Summary

In this episode of Comic Lab, hosts Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the intricacies of publishing comics, publishers' expectations, and the benefits of self-publishing. They delve into the importance of audience engagement, the challenges of explaining jokes, and the recent trademark changes in the comic industry. The conversation emphasizes the need for creators to focus on their craft and the passion behind their work rather than getting bogged down by negative feedback or industry norms.

Takeaways

• Publishers may not fulfill their promotional responsibilities.
• Self-publishing can be more beneficial than traditional publishing.
• Building a passionate audience is more important than sheer numbers.
• Explaining a joke often diminishes its impact.
• Every audience member has a different understanding of humor.
• The quality of your work is paramount to its success.
• Don't let negative feedback derail your confidence as a creator.
• Trademark laws can significantly impact the comic industry.
• Engagement with your audience is crucial for success.
• Creativity thrives when you focus on your passion.

You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon

• $2 — Early access to episodes
• $5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

BlueSky is beginning to feel like Twitter did ten years ago! Engagement is up, conversations are happening, and follower counts are rising — with actual people! Is it too good to be true? Also, encouraging your readers to take a hand in writing your comic may be good community building... but is it good writing?

On today's show

• UPDATE: Is BlueSky IT?
• Collaborative storytelling — letting your readers become writers
• Is word-of-mouth better than social media?
• Patreon or Substack?
• Business advice

Summary

In this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the emerging social media platform Blue Sky, sharing their experiences and predictions about its potential growth. Next, they tackle the topic of reader input in storytelling, debating its merits and drawbacks in the creative process.

In the second half, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the effectiveness of social media versus personal outreach for comic creators, emphasizing the scalability of social media. They explore the historical context of the printing press as a metaphor for reaching larger audiences today through digital platforms. The conversation shifts to comparing Patreon and Substack for monetization, with a consensus that Patreon currently offers more reliable performance. Finally, they provide insights on starting a business as a comic creator, highlighting the importance of understanding legal structures and the practicality of beginning as a sole proprietor.

Takeaways

• Blue Sky is gaining traction as a new social media platform.
• Engagement metrics on Blue Sky are outperforming Twitter for some users.
• Reader input can enhance storytelling but may dilute the author's voice.
• Ownership of creative work is crucial for artists and writers.
• Too many opinions can lead to bland storytelling.
• Listening to the audience is essential, but the creator's vision should prevail.
• Social media should be used to foster genuine connections.
• Predictions about social media trends can be bold and insightful.
• Social media can reach a larger audience than personal outreach.
• Personal outreach has scalability limits that can hinder growth.
• The printing press analogy illustrates the importance of scalability in reaching audiences.
• Patreon is currently more effective for monetization than Substack.
• Substack has potential but lacks Patreon's established user base.
• Creating comics is the core of a creator's work, not just social media content.
• A business plan is only necessary if seeking a loan for a business.
• Starting as a sole proprietor is a practical approach for new creators.
• Legal structures can be complex; consult an accountant for advice.
• Don't overcomplicate your monetization strategy with too many platforms.

You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon

• $2 — Early access to episodes
• $5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

Cartoonists Dave and Brad share some thoughts with a young humor writer trying to find their Funny. Also: Is BlueSky pulling ahead in the social-media race?

Today's show:

• Writing jokes faster
• UPDATE: Patreon opens recommendations for NSFW creators
• UPDATE: TikTok court case moves forward
• Putting social media into perspective
• Making drawing fun again

Summary

In this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the challenges of writing comedy and the importance of developing a personal editorial eye. They emphasize the need for creators to trust their instincts and navigate feedback from others while recognizing the natural evolution of creativity over time.

They share updates on Patreon and TikTok, the latter facing ongoing legal challenges.

In the show's second half, the hosts discuss the challenges of engaging with social media as a creative professional, emphasizing the emotional toll it can take. They share strategies for managing social media presence, including minimizing platforms and focusing on genuine interactions.

The conversation shifts to finding joy in the creative process, advocating for breaks to prevent burnout, and maintaining a passion for art.

Takeaways

• The interaction between humans and robots is becoming more complex.
• Creativity often slows down as one's skills improve.
• Feedback from friends and family can be both helpful and limiting.
• Developing a personal sense of humor is crucial for writers.
• The honeymoon phase of creativity eventually gives way to routine work.
• Trusting your editorial eye is essential for growth.
• External opinions can hinder creative expression.
• A good editor should help refine ideas, not just judge them.
• The future of social media is uncertain, especially for platforms like TikTok.
• Understanding the creative process is critical to long-term success.
• Social media can feel like a chore for many creators.
• It's essential to focus on platforms that work for you.
• Genuine interactions can be more impactful than crafted posts.
• Taking breaks can help rejuvenate creativity.
• The emotional load of social media can be heavy.
• Blue Sky is emerging as a favorable platform for engagement.
• Minimizing social media presence can reduce stress.
• Creativity should be fun, not just a job.
• Finding joy in art is essential for sustainability.
• Momentum in creative work can be rebuilt after a break.

You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon

• $2 — Early access to episodes
• $5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

Having wrapped up his 16th Kickstarter, cartoonist Dave Kellett shares some insights about setting realistic expectations, avoiding paid advertising, and the death of social media. Also: recent innovations by both Kickstarter and Patreon show considerable promise for the crowdfunding platforms.

Summary

In this conversation, the hosts discuss the emotional rollercoaster of running a Kickstarter campaign, and the ineffectiveness of online advertising. In this part of the conversation, Brad and Dave discuss their experiences with different social media platforms and the effectiveness of their efforts to promote their work. They emphasize the importance of building a community and engaging with fans rather than relying on paid advertising. They also share their insights on the performance of different platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, and Patreon, and how they have adjusted their marketing strategies accordingly. Additionally, they discuss the new features introduced by Patreon, including Autopilot, which allows creators to offer targeted discounts to free members to encourage them to upgrade to paid memberships. In this episode, Brad and Dave discuss new features and updates on Patreon, including moving free members to paid memberships, related posts, paid posts and collections, discounts on merchandise, and gift memberships. They also emphasize the importance of competition and innovation in the creator space.

On today's show

• UPDATE: Although it was his 2nd highest out of 16, this recent Kickstarter had Dave facing unforeseen amounts of depression and stress due to his unrealistic expectations. of all time.
• UPDATE: We've always said advertising is useless, and Dave proved it's (still) accurate
• UPDATE: This recent Kickstarter showed Dave it’s time to get off Twitter and Threads.
• Kickstarter late pledges have finally been addressed with a new feature upgrade.
• New Patreon features show some much-needed innovation

Takeaways

• Managing expectations is essential when running a Kickstarter campaign to avoid unnecessary anxiety and disappointment.
• Comparing oneself to others can steal joy and lead to negative emotions.
• Online advertising may not always yield the desired results and can waste money. Building a community and engaging with fans is more effective than paid advertising on social media platforms.
• Different platforms have varying levels of effectiveness in promoting and monetizing creative work.
• Creators should focus on platforms that perform well for them and adjust their marketing strategies accordingly.
• Patreon has introduced new features, such as Autopilot, which allows creators to offer targeted discounts to free members to encourage them to upgrade to paid memberships. Patreon now allows creators to move free members to paid memberships, increasing the potential for revenue growth.
• The new related posts feature on Patreon helps creators engage their audience and promote content from their archives.
• Paid posts and collections on Patreon allow creators to monetize their content and offer exclusive access to their audience.
• Patreon's discounts on merchandise and upcoming gift memberships further enhance the platform's offerings for creators and supporters.
• Competition in the creator space drives innovation and encourages platforms like Patreon to improve and introduce new features continuously.

You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon

• $2 — Early access to episodes
• $5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

In the final installment of a three-part series on the National Cartoonists Society conference and Reuben Awards celebration, cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar sit down over a couple of tasty adult beverages and share stories and reflections on this year's event.

You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon

• $2 — Early access to episodes
• $5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.