Comic Lab

When comic creators try to market their comics, they often confuse what their comic is about with who it's for. Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar offer some guidance on making compelling promotions that work. In the show's second half, the boys have a devil of a time talking about angel investing.

Summary

In this episode, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore how comic creators can broaden their audience beyond niche markets, emphasizing the significance of themes and relationships in storytelling. The conversation highlights the need for creators to identify their comic's appeal and engage with a broader audience.

In this conversation, the hosts explore the concept of angel investing, particularly in the context of cartoonists and creative industries. They discuss the nature of angel investing, the challenges cartoonists face in securing funding, and the potential roles that angel investors could play in their careers. The conversation also delves into alternative funding models like Kickstarter and Patreon and the importance of marketing versus production in growing a creative business. Ultimately, the hosts reflect on their experiences and the realities of managing growth in the comic industry. In this episode, the hosts delve into the complexities of comic creation, discussing the balance between marketing and content production, the impact of hiring assistants, and the challenges of delegating creative tasks. They explore the dynamics of collaboration in writing and the potential growth opportunities for their podcast, ComicLab, while acknowledging the realities of success and the risks involved in expanding their creative endeavors.

Takeaways

• Community engagement is crucial for comic creators.
• Your comic's audience can extend beyond niche interests.
• Identifying themes in your work can broaden its appeal.
• Marketing should focus on storytelling rather than just genre.
• Romance writers effectively use tropes to engage readers.
• Understanding relationships in your comic can enhance its depth.
• Creators should not limit themselves to specific reader demographics.
• Exploring broader human experiences can attract diverse audiences.
• Angel investing is often misunderstood as purely altruistic.
• Investors expect a return on their investment, which can complicate creative endeavors.
• Cartoonists may not have apparent uses for large sums of angel investment.
• Kickstarter and Patreon serve as modern alternatives to traditional angel investing.
• Hiring an assistant or marketing professional could be beneficial for growth.
• Understanding the costs of production is crucial for cartoonists.
• Marketing is essential for expanding reach and attracting new readers.
• Creative professionals often feel limited by their audience size.
• The animation industry presents unique challenges for cartoonists.
• Growth strategies should be tailored to individual business models. Marketing and content creation are interdependent.
• Hiring an assistant can significantly enhance productivity.
• The host is often the bottleneck in creative processes.
• Delegating inking is challenging due to personal attachment.
• A writer's room could invigorate the creative process.
• Growth opportunities exist but come with risks.
• More resources can lead to more problems.
• Collaboration can lead to better creative outcomes.
• The podcast could evolve with additional funding.
• Realistic expectations are crucial for success.

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• $2 — Early access to episodes
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Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.