Out of the box promotion ideas

CWCHASE 2016-07-22 04:11:27 UTC #1

I wanted to start a thread on an interesting topic that some of you may have had some thoughts on. It's not just enough making comics and hoping that people will bump into them and like what you do. Your comic has to be introduced to them. Almost like as if you were at some social engagement. Of course there's social media, there's forums, but what other ways have some of your come up with to get people to read your series? Do you have a more personal hands on approach in your local community? Kevin Eastman the creator of Ninja Turtles put an ad in the magazine that the comic shops used to order their stock. So the idea was to target customers who had an interest in comics. Would someone put up flyers at places mentioning their comic? What ways that would be out of the box to promote and advertise a comic? I think this would be a great discussion on the business-ish side of getting readers to notice your work.

This is my comic Spaceheads

Kayke 2016-07-22 04:48:08 UTC #2

I try to be involved with local comic shops. One shop I know does art shows with local cartoonists/illustrators, usually picking a theme and then having everyone do one to two pieces on the theme. We sell prints of the pieces, but also put up our contact info under them so people can find more of our work online.
Another shop I go to has local artists come in and do sketches and signings. Those are always really fun! A good way to get new readers and also connect to people who are already digging your work. I love seeing people come in the door who already have copies of my books and came out of their way to meet me! But there are also a ton of random people who just get excited to meet an artist and will buy your books after talking to you. It's like a personal comic con (without the table fees).

I have a friend Marc who has a deal with a cafe near his house that lets him put up prints of his comics in their front window.

He does all-ages comics and sometimes he will teach drawing classes for kids, which I imagine is a good way to connect to new readers since the parents would know who he is and buy his comics for their kids.

I'll think on it and see if I can drum up anything else, but those are the things that come to mind.

Kayke 2016-07-22 04:56:54 UTC #3

Oh wait, I already thought of a few more hahah.

-Getting mentioned on a podcast/guesting on a podcast
-Getting your comic reviewed
-And I was going to say getting your comic Shilled by El Santo (which you can do just by asking) but now that he is on Robot 6 I don't know how much traffic Webcomic Overlook is getting
-Being in an anthology (or organizing one)

I don't know if these are super "out of the box" but I think people forget about the power of word of mouth.

jono_thompson 2016-07-22 05:27:19 UTC #4

I did start a thread on this idea not too long ago, might give you some ideas:

CWCHASE 2016-07-22 13:10:27 UTC #5

Wow, now that's some big support! I have a comic shop (fortunately) I'm good friends with them, and my local jewelry store has a cafe next door that they also own. I'm good friends with them as well. I plan on getting some exposure putting up some flyers there.

I also thought of printing up cards that I can pass out at malls, just anyone I meet.

I plan on having a book of strips published. After I do that, that's when I'm really going to be promoting.

Shirt prints are a good idea. Some of your characters on it with the url.

CWCHASE 2016-07-22 13:10:58 UTC #6

I'll go check it out. I'm always open to some new ideas.