Comic Lab

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  Creators of longform comics face unique challenges in building an audience on the Web. Or do they?Questions asked and topics covered...Long form comics"Substandard fan-created content"Kickstarter minus social mediaToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple Podcast

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  How to handle death in a comic storyline without offending your readers. Also — facing Writer's Block wile writing a long storyline requires special handling.Questions asked and topics covered...Death in comicsGetting stuck writing a long storyDon't comics writers like prose?Habits and routinesToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  After Brad shared his debilitating bout with Writer's Block in episode 191, he shares how he overcame it, and started creating again. Also, the guys discuss what the shipping crisis could mean for small business this holiday season.Questions asked and topics covered...Writers Block — how to overcome itThe shipping crisis and holiday shoppingWhat exactly is "Small Press" — and how does one qualify?Search “cartoonist” in the the New York Times and you'll get mostly obituaries. Why aren't we newsworthy?!When should a reader step in?Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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 ProT

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  This week, we're discussing the recent exodus of top talent from corporate comics to Substack, a subscription-based email-newsletter platform.Questions asked and topics covered...What is Substack? Substack is an online platform that provides publishing, payment, analytics, and design infrastructure to support subscription newsletters. It allows writers to send digital newsletters directly to subscribers. Creators are given a payment for their first year — between $3k and about $150k. After that, the creators take the standard deal, which is based on the number of subscribers they've earned, minus fees from Substack, credit-card companies, etc.What's in this for Substack? Buying users. They currently have around 500,000. Patreon has 6 million. Will this be a turning point for the creators? We'll know in about 366 days — after the advance runs out and they're left with only their subscribers.What does this say a

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  This week, we've devoted the entire show to Kickstarter — what's working, what's not, and how you can improve your campaign!Questions asked and topics covered...Kickstarter is the most tangible, real-world, evidence-based way to show how impossibly HARD it is to reach people, even with a focused messageKickstarter Self-loathing vs “people not hearing about it”Traceable Kickstarter linksManaging Kickstarter moneyKickstarter post-mortemKicktraq is almost always hyper-optimistic... here's a better way to project earningsInstagram's is nearly uselessIs TikTok going to be better?Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possi

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  This week, we're talking about posting your very first comic, and later we'll talk about how to write a good ending.Questions asked and topics covered...Making that first postMatt Forbeck (@mforbeck) explains why his gaming company will discontinue shipping to the EUQ3 Estimated tax payments are due on the 15thWe found a Writers Room in the wild...How to write a good endingToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier re

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  This week, we're talking about building your email newsletter.Questions asked and topics covered...E-mail newsletter managementEnding your comic and starting something newToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyPandoraStitcherComic

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  This week, we're talking about the ideal career path for comicsQuestions asked and topics covered...Kickstarter strategy of "fun" Stretch GoalsIdeal comics career path "Pro-am status"Is "do a good comics" really all there is?Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Listen to ComicLab on...Ap

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  This week, we're talking about juggling multiple projects.  Questions asked and topics covered...Juggling two projectsSound effectsPatreon solves VAT dilemma for its creatorsRunning out of Patreon rewardsToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsGoogle Po

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  This week, we're devoting a special hour-and-a-half episode to advice for exhibiting at comic conventions!Questions asked and topics covered...Exhibiting at your first comic con Hidden costs you need to be aware ofWhy Dave does comic conventionsWhat Dave won't do at showsHot Nerd Summer — how to safely do comic consFour strategies if you're going to exhibitToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  This week, Dave shares his strategy for meeting his Kickstarter goal in the opening days — and juicing the algorithm — by using Patreon!Questions asked and topics covered...Reaching a Kickstarter goal in the opening days — using PatreonFinding your voice as a writerSchulz MuseumWhat if comic cons never came backTikTokLettering for Web vs printToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — and an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evi

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  Are you self-conscious about self-promotion? Brad has a suggestion: Talk about your Pride or talk about your Joy. It's a bulletproof marketing technique!Questions asked and topics covered...Pride & JoyThe history of Dave's sci-fi comic, DrivePaywalling the archive — pros and consToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — and an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions, plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Listen to ComicLa

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  What's your elevator pitch? If you had to sum up your comic for a new reader, could you do it effectively in under 60 seconds?Questions asked and topics covered...Pulitzer Prize in Editorial CartooningAttracting collaboratorsWriting process — paper or software?How to maintain standards without an editorToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — and an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions, plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Dri

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  What's your elevator pitch? If you had to sum up your comic for a new reader, could you do it effectively in under 60 seconds?Questions asked and topics covered...How to write an Elevator PitchBookshop.org partners with KickstarterSelling books at comic conventions and beyondA storyline driven single-panel comic?Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — and an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions, plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheld

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  Delaying gratification is extra hard when you're a comics artist. Also, Brad is seething with jealousy when Patreon asks Dave to be an ambassador.Questions asked and topics covered...Patreon AmbassadorDelaying gratification How much story per panel?Digital letteringCopyrighting the name of a comicToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — and an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions, plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Lis

Are you obligated to accept criticism from... anyone?? Also, we'll discuss Kickstarter's new Add-on feature and the benefits of both digital and traditional coloring techniques.Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Starting in June, $10 Patreon backers will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — and an archive of previous livestreams!Questions asked and topics covered...Accepting criticismKickstarter's add-onsColoring - digital vs traditionalYou 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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions, plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyPandoraStitcherComicLab is hosted on Simplecast

Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Starting in June, $10 Patreon backers will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — and an archive of previous livestreams!If there was ever a pivotal year in webcomics, it was 2014. Ad-blockers, social media, crowdfunding, and so much more happened in exactly the right order to deliver independent cartoonists to the best self-publishing conditions we've ever experienced.Questions asked and topics covered...2014 watershed momentCryptocurrency and adult contentDC ComicsJohn BuscmaReferencing a previous comicYou 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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions, plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Liste

Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Starting in June, $10 Patreon backers will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — and an archive of previous livestreams!Impostor Syndrome — what is it, and how can we, as creative professionals, battle against it?In 2018, an art teacher wrote in to ask why it was that they could never seem to finish a comic. Brad's response was "Maybe you're not a cartoonist, and maybe that's OK." This week, the art teacher writes back with an update — and it's a doozy!Questions asked and topics covered...Impostor Syndrome"Maybe You're not a Cartoonist" Follow-up. No Pants Friday and performative charityMinimum requirements for social mediaYou 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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions, plus $5-tier rewardsBra

Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Starting in June, $10 Patreon backers will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — and an archive of previous livestreams! This week, exactly one week after Brad lectures on the dangers of getting distracted, one of his TikTok videos goes viral — and he spends the next two weeks... getting very, very distracted,Questions asked and topics covered...Going viral with a TikTok videoWhat does TikTok mean for comicsPre orders vs KickstarterWhen is it right to take the leap to full-time comics?Where to find a creative day jobGifting a Wacom to a young artist?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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions, plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Ke

Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Starting in June, $10 Patreon backers will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — and an archive of previous livestreams! This week, Brad and Dave discuss the fine art of not getting distracted by "shiny objects!"Questions asked and topics covered...How to avoid getting distractedShould you be using vertical scroll?Presenting ourselves as an Authority on comicsYou 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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions, plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyPandoraStitcherComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industr