Today’s Guest: A Harvey Award nominated writer and artist who has published incredible work for IDW and Image Comics, most notably the hilarious series God Hates Astronauts. He’s a creator who has successfully used Kickstarter to raise more than $100K and counting to crowdfund his projects. And he’s taught this stuff, in the form of a one day Kickstarter seminar for the awesome folks at Comics Experience. He is one of the funniest and most-original voices in comics, Ryan Browne, welcome to ComixLaunch!
This session is sponsored by KrakenPrint. Need a reliable printer for your next comic book or graphic novel print run? Then you need to unleash the Kraken. Head to ComixLaunch.com/Kraken for 5% off your entire first order.
What is Today’s Episode About?
Did you know 9 out of the top 10 most funded Kickstarter projects were webcomics first? In this knowledge-bomb laced session, Tyler James talks to Ryan Browne, creator of God Hates Astronauts and Blast Furnace, about the the potent combination of webcomics and Kickstarter.
Today — I brought Ryan on because I want to talk about the often potent combination of Kickstarter + Webcomics.
Both of Ryan’s Kickstarter funded series, GHA & BF were first launched as webcomics, and very successful.
1) Why go the webcomic route with GHA and Blast Furnace?
What was your mindset/ strategy (to the extent that you had one)?
Pros and Cons of Webcomic First model
2) Webcomic to Kickstarter — How do get people to pay for what they’re already getting for free?
Keys or Tips to making that transition work?
How do you move your audience from your website to KS?
3) Lessons Learned from first two KS that You’re Applying to your lasted Blast Furnace?
GHA was a huge KS. $75,770 K, 1768 backers… more than 7X the success of your previous less than a year earlier. What worked there?
Even the most success KS have room for improvement.
Anything you’re tweaking, changing, etc. for your latest?
SPEED ROUND of Questions (Short/ Quick answers 30 seconds or so.)
1) Finish this sentence: “Kickstarter is _______.”
…an internet pre-ordering system.
2) Let’s the pretend the powers that be at Kickstarter are listening (which you know they are)… if you could change one thing about the Kickstarter platform, what would it be?
A way to change conditions of backer levels after they’ve been backed. Discovered errors after someone backs a pledge can be dicey.
3) What’s your secret weapon? (Meaning a tool, resource, app, etc. that you couldn’t make comics without?)
My hand! (Eyes are second.)
4) Fulfillment is where even successful Kickstarter creators often drop the ball… Do you have a fulfillment tip for our listeners?
- Hire somebody!
- Get good packaging… but avoid deluxe packaging. (Remember to factor in replacement costs, as books will be lost or damaged.)
5) Can you recommend one comic (not done by you) more people need to check out?
Sabretooth Swordsman by Damon Gentry (Eerie) and Aaron Conley (Prophet) from Dark Horse.
ComixLauncher
It’s time for today’s ComixLauncher.
A ComixLauncher is a short, actionable activity you can and should do right now, or immediately after listening to the show. They’re all activities I’ve done myself, and will get you one step closer to a successful ComixLaunch. They’ll transform this Podcast from a passive, lean back activity centered around Tyler James, into an active, lean-forward activity centered around YOU.
Today’s ComixLauncher — Consider doing a webcomic as a precursor to a future Kickstarter.
Key Resources
- How to Make Webcomics by the Half Pixel Crew
- The Webcomics Handbook a KS funded follow up by Brad Guigar
Wrap Up
1) Do you have one final piece of advice on running a Successful KS campaign for the ComixLaunch listeners?
Do your homework!
2) Besides the Blast Furnace Kickstarter, which runs until Sep 23, how can listeners best connect with you online?
Ryan is especially proud of his Instagram account @ryanbrowneart. Check him out his Tumblr here.
Thanks for Listening!
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