Comic Lab

• Love it... Hate it... Reddit

  Cartoonist Brad Guigar talks about his love/hate relationship with Reddit — and the publishing strategy that's currently delivering Patreon backers that has him loving it again.Today's ShowBrad's Love/Hate Relationship with RedditThe ComicLab Accent ChallengeWorking on Comics at WorkNSFW comic artists on RedditBrad mentioned getting great advice from people doing NSFW comics on Reddit. Here are a few of them.u/GrimDarkDorku/DarlingSnarlu/LeFauxCreuxTakeawaysBoredom can spark creativity and lead to new ideas.Writing on paper during downtime at work is a safe way to create.Avoid using company resources for personal projects to protect your IP.Engaging with readers on Reddit can lead to new opportunities.Consistency in posting is key to building an audience.NSFW content is becoming more accepted on platforms like Reddit.Utilizing hyperlinks in posts can drive traffic to your work.Creating a fourth panel as a stinger can enhance humor in comics.Understanding your audience's feedback is crucial for growth.Experimenting with different formats can lead to new creative avenues.SummaryIn this episode of ComicLab, cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the challenges and strategies of comic creation, particularly focusing on the use of Reddit as a platform for engagement. They explore the ethics of working on personal projects during downtime at work, the acceptance of NSFW content, and the importance of consistency in posting. The episode also features listener interaction, discussing how accents can influence perceptions, and concludes with a challenge from the hosts.   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.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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• Wobbly Legs

  We always advise having "many legs under your table." In other words, comic creators should have many sources of revenue. If one is threatened, the others can keep the business aloft. So it's important, from time to time, to check for wobbly legs! What are the sources of comics income that are currently vulnerable?Today's ShowVulnerable legsSusan MacTaggartDesign vs StyleSummaryIn this episode of ComicLab, hosts Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar explore various themes related creativity and the business of comics. The conversation begins with the importance of diversifying income streams for artists. They also delve into concerns about merchandise shipping costs and the future of platforms like Patreon in the age of AI. Next, the hosts reflect on the relationship between style and design in art, and how generational changes will influence the integration of AI into creative fields. The episode wraps up with light-hearted banter and insights into the creative process.TakeawaysComic conventions can be a tricky business venture.Diversifying income streams is crucial for artists.Merchandise shipping costs are a growing concern.The future of platforms like Patreon is uncertain with AI advancements.Style and design are interconnected in art.Generational shifts will influence how AI is integrated into creative fields. 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.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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• Kickstarter: What's Working and What's Not

  This week, we're sharing the real numbers from Brad Guigar's recent Kickstarter. The show is brought to you by Hogan's Alley! Enter the code COMICLAB10 at checkout to receive 10% off any purchase from their store — the current issue, back issues, a subscription, digital editions, "The Complete Betty Brown" book collection, whatever you see there that catches your eye!SummaryIn this episode of ComicLab, hosts Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss Brad's recent Kickstarter campaign, where he shares insights on his strategy, the challenges of international shipping, and the importance of referral tags and updates to backers. They also discuss the effectiveness of livestreaming the final hour of a campaign and the benefits of late pledges. The episode emphasizes the significance of maintaining communication with past backers and the value of having a strong online presence for creators.TakeawaysInternational shipping challenges influenced Brad's Kickstarter strategy.Referral tags in Kickstarter help track the effectiveness of outreach efforts.Updates to previous backers can significantly boost Kickstarter pledges.Live streaming the last hour of a Kickstarter campaign can engage backers.Late pledges can add significant funds after a campaign ends.Using a website effectively can drive traffic to Kickstarter campaigns.Regular communication with past backers is crucial for future campaigns. 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.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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• Special Guest Cathy Guisewite

  In this engaging conversation, Cathy Guisewite, the creator of the iconic syndicated comic strip 'Cathy', shares her journey through the world of cartooning, the challenges she faced as a female cartoonist, and the cultural impact of her work. From her early days of struggling with drawing to her experiences on The Tonight Show, Cathy reflects on her evolution as an artist and the significance of her comic strip in addressing women's issues. She discusses the release of her 50th Anniversary Collection and the bittersweet feelings surrounding the end of her long-running strip.Cathy 50th Anniversary CollectionTakeawaysCathy Guisewite's comic strip 'Cathy' ran for 34 years in over 1,400 newspapers.She faced unique challenges as a female cartoonist in a male-dominated industry.Cathy's work resonated with readers, providing humor and insight into women's lives.The evolution of her character mirrored the changing landscape of feminism.Cathy received heartfelt letters from readers that kept her motivated throughout her career.Her experiences on The Tonight Show were both terrifying and rewarding.Cathy's creative process involved rewriting and refining her strips up until the deadline.The 50th Anniversary Collection serves as a scrapbook of her career and the cultural conversations it sparked.Cathy's daughter helped digitize her work for the anniversary collection, leading to humorous reflections on past comics.The end of 'Cathy' was not as planned as she would have liked, but it still resonated with readers.  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.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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• Lost in Translation

  Brad thinks Kickstarter is the right place to go for a Brazilian cartoonist who wants to have his work re-published in English, but Dave thinks his co-host is Lost in Translation. Then, the dynamic duo gives some advice to a pro-am cartoonist who just lost their day job and is considering making the move to full-time cartooning. But first, Brad and Dave share some comic convention horror stories.SummaryIn this episode of ComicLab, hosts Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the chaotic experiences of comic conventions, the challenges of translating comics for the English market, and the importance of building an audience. They also provide advice for cartoonists who have been laid off, emphasizing the need for financial stability. The conversation touches on the realities of comic publishing and the necessity of having an emergency fund when transitioning to full-time cartooning.TakeawaysComic conventions can be chaotic and noisy environments.Translation of comics can be a significant time investment.Building an audience is crucial before launching a comic.Kickstarter can serve as a market research tool for comics.Having an emergency fund is essential for transitioning to full-time cartooning.The comic market in North America is larger than in Brazil.It's important to consider the demand for your work before translating it.Creating new work may be more beneficial than translating old work.Networking and social media can help build an audience for new comics.Financial stability is key when considering a career in comics. 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.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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