BCC: Best Things From There
Wasn't A Panel
So I was going to do this as part of the highlights of September. But between getting over stuff I was bedridden for among other thoughts, I had stuff I had to do.
But now, after going to this convention and spending good time and money on it I’ll tell you what I got out of it all.
Try to own all of your creations and IP including the merchandising rights, you never know when a publisher is going to slip up and under deliver. Or if some legal reason comes around to prevent anyone bringing it up.
Raising the time or money for a new idea or continuing an existing one is never easy, if you’ve already made an impression, press that advantage. You can always find a new publisher if things with your old one aren’t working out. Just remember to reread the contracts,
Try to make everything accessible on as many platforms as possible. IndyPlanet, DriveThru, GlobalComix, maybe more. Including Tapas or Webtoon. They might not always be profitable but a little marketing there goes a long way in the long run.
Always market in the places that get long term results like conventions, Facebook Groups, or newer platforms. Just be sure to budget appropriately.
Among your creations, sometimes your focus is going to be on some of your characters or concepts more than others. It might be common knowledge to finish one thing before moving onto the next but that’s not always feasible. Sometimes you will burn out or run out of ideas until you take time off from them. If you manage to come back to it great; but it’s better to put your energy and effort in efficiently.
Aside from a few comics I couldn’t find on more open markets, these is some of the best things that websites and videos have not been able to tell me.
Even if you go to a convention as just a guest, bringing business cards and talking to people about their work is a good chance to get noticed and build a network.
Big ones are a little bit easier because bigger names tend to show up here. Not to rub elbows with or recommend people to, just have an easier thing to talk to a lot of the time.
I’m just saying that if you’re anything like me, more a wall flower than a social butterfly. Speak to people at the tables on what they do, maybe exchange war stories on the efforts and exchange ideas. Because you might not get another chance to speak with some people. Anything from behind a screen might be important, but nothing beats being there in real life.