Should your readers be your writers?

Comic Lab

BlueSky is beginning to feel like Twitter did ten years ago! Engagement is up, conversations are happening, and follower counts are rising — with actual people! Is it too good to be true? Also, encouraging your readers to take a hand in writing your comic may be good community building... but is it good writing?

On today's show

• UPDATE: Is BlueSky IT?
• Collaborative storytelling — letting your readers become writers
• Is word-of-mouth better than social media?
• Patreon or Substack?
• Business advice

Summary

In this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the emerging social media platform Blue Sky, sharing their experiences and predictions about its potential growth. Next, they tackle the topic of reader input in storytelling, debating its merits and drawbacks in the creative process.

In the second half, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the effectiveness of social media versus personal outreach for comic creators, emphasizing the scalability of social media. They explore the historical context of the printing press as a metaphor for reaching larger audiences today through digital platforms. The conversation shifts to comparing Patreon and Substack for monetization, with a consensus that Patreon currently offers more reliable performance. Finally, they provide insights on starting a business as a comic creator, highlighting the importance of understanding legal structures and the practicality of beginning as a sole proprietor.

Takeaways

• Blue Sky is gaining traction as a new social media platform.
• Engagement metrics on Blue Sky are outperforming Twitter for some users.
• Reader input can enhance storytelling but may dilute the author's voice.
• Ownership of creative work is crucial for artists and writers.
• Too many opinions can lead to bland storytelling.
• Listening to the audience is essential, but the creator's vision should prevail.
• Social media should be used to foster genuine connections.
• Predictions about social media trends can be bold and insightful.
• Social media can reach a larger audience than personal outreach.
• Personal outreach has scalability limits that can hinder growth.
• The printing press analogy illustrates the importance of scalability in reaching audiences.
• Patreon is currently more effective for monetization than Substack.
• Substack has potential but lacks Patreon's established user base.
• Creating comics is the core of a creator's work, not just social media content.
• A business plan is only necessary if seeking a loan for a business.
• Starting as a sole proprietor is a practical approach for new creators.
• Legal structures can be complex; consult an accountant for advice.
• Don't overcomplicate your monetization strategy with too many platforms.

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Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.