His methods on how to build and audience and subsequently a profile and fan base, were rewarding and fitting to the third year project I have planned.
He stated the need to find out what your audience like along the way. Chances are if they are viewing your work on a regular basis, they like what you're producing already, but take heed of the comments and ascertain which particular aspects they do and don't like, then build upon them for favourable results.
But to also know you can't please everyone, just try and pinpoint the general consensus of what is and isn;t going down well.
He also states slight changes in approach and design can cause fans to drop like flies. Something to be aware of. There is no market more fanatically stubborn in their likes and dislikes, than that of comics readers. BE WARNED! Also to be relatively timely in your production of the product. If you start by putting out one a week then stick to that as much as you can. Although consumers are more understanding when they are receiving a quality product for free. You will still lose fans if you mess them around too much in terms of release. If you take a long break without giving notice your bound to loose some of the fan base.
I particularly enjoyed his encouraging talk on getting your work out there. He stated that the artists quick and ready to put their stuff online with no hesitation, are frequently not too good on a technical level. That it's the ones that are terrified to put their work out there that are usually the better illustrators. This gave me some comfort, as I am yet to place my work on the web anywhere outside of a few facebook posts to friends. Usually because the stuff I'm most proud of is in someway related to an original character of creation that I don't want out and about until it's in a physical issue. And also down to the fact that all the other stuff I do, I'm not at all satisfied with, if I can poke a thousand holes in it then do I really want it representing who I am for all to see? It's a hard fear to crunch, but John's advice is to bite the bullet and see what people think anyway... His anecdote of hiding under the bedcovers scribbling away, only to show your cat the finished product at the end of it all, was all hauntingly familiar. Being the hermetic owner of a cat myself. Something to consider indeed.
His Top-Tips...
Make Contacts- Find others who are doing work like you. Contact peers online and ask their opinion of your own work.
Conventions- Attend them! Get your work out and speak to artists, get their advice. But be realistic, don't approach your idols until later, when you're more established in the lower ranks. Nobody wants to blunder their first meeting with an idol showing early work and no confidence...
Print you Comics- Do it yourself if nobody else will, it's something to take to conventions and tout online.
Web Comics- Don't advertise till you get big, it provides very little money in the beginning, you look like a sell out, and they're just irritating and distracting.
Freelance- Exposures is meaningless. A job done for nothing but exposure is NOT a good deal.
Learn to be a pain about money, chase people for it. And be aware the lower the payment of a job the fussier the client tends to be, usually because they've saved the money specifically and so want it exactly right. Bigger clients will have money to spare and will settle for work that fits the theme of what they're after as opposed to a very specific vision, though this is not always the case.
KEEP ON LEARNING!...
Overall a rousing and informative speech that I enjoyed thoroughly. I will take much of his advice to heart and apply it to my own future in web based comic platforms!
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