New artist looking for advice
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Sterrojacomic
- Forum Member
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Sat Aug 11, 2018 11:29 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh
New artist looking for advice
Hello everyone I am looking to break into the comic book industry but i am sort of an amateur artist(i don't have resources) any advice?
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FaultyMirror
- Consistant Poster
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2014 1:58 am
- Location: Sweden
Create a portfolio, apply for work, get lucky.
Save up to one day go to a Comic Con and make connections in person. Do your best to create said connections until then.
Create better samples, replace the worst ones on your portfolio, repeat.
---
If you want to go down the Kickstarter path, create a following and a mailing list. I've got notes from an in-depth lecture if you want them. The most important part of the Kickstarter venture is to have a mailing list.
Where do backers come from? From best to worst:
STRONG:
=> Previous kickstarter (email or post)
=> Previous clients (Email)
=> Fans (Email)
MILD:
=> Solid post on a social media outlet
=> Facebook adds
WEAK:
=> Facebook posts
=> Tweet
To raise $1000, you need 30 people to commit to backing you.
$5000 => 124
$25000 => 486
$5600 is the average goal of successful Kickstarters.
Cheaper for digital only, higher for graphic novels
Unsuccessful is going 2-3 times higher than $5600.
2350 is good for a first project (150 email list)
Comics make 51$ per backer when successful so rewards are important.
What if you are a nobody?
Two types of funders:
- People who want you to succeed (family, friends, peers)
- People who want the project (fans)
First group is more important when starting.
You don’t need to be a pro to get people on your email list.
The email list starts the same for everyone:
=> Invite everyone
Spreading awareness, they’ll comunicate to others with any people with a remote link to what you do
Start with the easiest name on the list via the easiest
Ask them if you can keep them up to date on your project (as appealing as possible)
“we are beginning to get the word out�
DO NOT LAUNCH YOUR KICKSTARTER BEFORE YOU HAVE 100 PEOPLE ON YOUR EMAIL LIST.
22% get nothing, have a list.
If you can’t ask them if you can tell them about it, you won’t be able to ask them to contribute something.
Get out of the comfort zone to move forwards.
Once you have one project out. You probably won’t ever need to go about asking again.
Email them 2-5 times a month every month until the launch.
Don’t overthink it.
Don’t create away from people
Show more, not less. BE AFRAID OF SHOWING TOO LITTLE
Ask for feedback.
Sending emails (5 is fine to start)
- Use the BCC field.
- Email marketing software (includes an easy way to unsubscribe)
Easy: tinyletter
Medium: mailchimp (up to 2000 for free)
Most advanced: Converkit
Build an audience (emphasis on email)
Launch projects (emphasis on kickstarter)
Repeat
-----
Additionally, make sure your portfolio link is everywhere. Have it in your signature at all times.
Save up to one day go to a Comic Con and make connections in person. Do your best to create said connections until then.
Create better samples, replace the worst ones on your portfolio, repeat.
---
If you want to go down the Kickstarter path, create a following and a mailing list. I've got notes from an in-depth lecture if you want them. The most important part of the Kickstarter venture is to have a mailing list.
Where do backers come from? From best to worst:
STRONG:
=> Previous kickstarter (email or post)
=> Previous clients (Email)
=> Fans (Email)
MILD:
=> Solid post on a social media outlet
=> Facebook adds
WEAK:
=> Facebook posts
=> Tweet
To raise $1000, you need 30 people to commit to backing you.
$5000 => 124
$25000 => 486
$5600 is the average goal of successful Kickstarters.
Cheaper for digital only, higher for graphic novels
Unsuccessful is going 2-3 times higher than $5600.
2350 is good for a first project (150 email list)
Comics make 51$ per backer when successful so rewards are important.
What if you are a nobody?
Two types of funders:
- People who want you to succeed (family, friends, peers)
- People who want the project (fans)
First group is more important when starting.
You don’t need to be a pro to get people on your email list.
The email list starts the same for everyone:
=> Invite everyone
Spreading awareness, they’ll comunicate to others with any people with a remote link to what you do
Start with the easiest name on the list via the easiest
Ask them if you can keep them up to date on your project (as appealing as possible)
“we are beginning to get the word out�
DO NOT LAUNCH YOUR KICKSTARTER BEFORE YOU HAVE 100 PEOPLE ON YOUR EMAIL LIST.
22% get nothing, have a list.
If you can’t ask them if you can tell them about it, you won’t be able to ask them to contribute something.
Get out of the comfort zone to move forwards.
Once you have one project out. You probably won’t ever need to go about asking again.
Email them 2-5 times a month every month until the launch.
Don’t overthink it.
Don’t create away from people
Show more, not less. BE AFRAID OF SHOWING TOO LITTLE
Ask for feedback.
Sending emails (5 is fine to start)
- Use the BCC field.
- Email marketing software (includes an easy way to unsubscribe)
Easy: tinyletter
Medium: mailchimp (up to 2000 for free)
Most advanced: Converkit
Build an audience (emphasis on email)
Launch projects (emphasis on kickstarter)
Repeat
-----
Additionally, make sure your portfolio link is everywhere. Have it in your signature at all times.