So you want to run a successful kickstarter project?

Independent comic book creators and artist are finding an wonderful new funding platform for their projects these days. Kickstarter was the first really successful crowd funding platform to go main stream. It’s an incredible tool, especially in an industry that looks down on indy creators.

As many of you know, I myself have funded two very successful kickstarter projects. I am in the process of preparing a third. I hope that I can pass on some advice to help other creators, find success in their projects as well. I’ll be honest it is a great funding tool for art projects, yet it can also be quite stressful and frustrating. Especially if you miss your goal.

The key element about kickstarter is really based on trust. Trust that the creator will finish the project and make good on his rewards. So let’s get into it.

What is kickstarter?

Kickstarter in a nut shell is a crowd funding platform for creators. It is an all or nothing deal. You set a financial goal to work towards with a tangible reward of your creation and people, pledge money to one support you and two to receive the product you created in some form. If your product overfunds you get to keep  the money that comes in to help improve and better the product. If your goal does not fund, then you get nothing and you have an opportunity to re-evaluate if it is worth continuing. It’s a fantastic program.

So how do you make it work for you?

Well first you need a project. Since I am dealing with graphic novels and comics, I am really focusing on that aspect. I find that it is best to talk about what I know about, so if you want to do a movie project I would recommend looking at movie kickstarter projects that were successful and follow them. Some of the same applications are the same but in the end each product is unique.

Once you figure out your project – how much do you need to fund it?

This is important. Don’t look at kickstarter as way to pay all your bills. It is to fund your project. So make the goal reasonable. Also figure out the following

1. Design- Are you having outside help- this isn’t always cheap. Since I do all the art and stories myself, I only have to rely and pay me. (helps keep the cost down.)
2. Production cost- printing and shipping to you. This will be the bulk of the cost
3. Shipping and packaging – A lot of people don’t realize this and forget to add this in. Shipping for our first project ran up to $1400 dollars. So you should ad this in. International shipping is really expensive. You will need to decide if you want to add more or not. (I chose not to)
4. Swag- Any swag you offer in your reward tiers. If you are offering t-shirts etc… you still have production costs added to your goal. This can get expensive as well.  I kept my rewards tied to the book.
5. Fees– There are fees to kickstarter and amazon bank (which you have to use). 10% of your pledges received will go to cover kickstarters operating costs and amazon charges. Be prepared for that.

So you have your costs set up and you set up your goal and accounts. You then create the reward structure. This allows people to pledge what they feel comfortable with. Not everyone can pledge $50 but a lot will pledge $10, $15, or $25. May those rewards enticing as well. Don’t get greedy. People are there to support you. Not because you deserve it, but because they want to see you succeed, plain and simple.

I offered at the lowest level a book with a free sketch (we did 350 in the first run) as well as their name printed in the back of the book. The higher the pledge, the more the reward was. (it is worth it). Make it fun for them.

A movie? Crud I have to make a movie?

That was my biggest hangup- I really struggled with that. Your movie is important, yet it does not have to be a huge production. I did mine with stills, music and i-movie. Very ken-burnsish. It is very simplistic. I would though recommend that you have some important information in it, and be direct. Do not beat around the bush. The more you are confident in your project the more people will be confident in it as well.

1. Introduction to the project- what your goal is.
2. What your costs are. Be honest here. Book production is usually not $50,000 – especially for a b/w print un of 2000 copies. The more upfront, the bett er the results.
3. Showcase your art and stuff.
4. What are you doing to contribute. I put in $1500 of my own cash. It shows I am just as committed to my project as those that pledge to it.
5. What reward system is. Let them know what they get.
6. Explain a little what kickstarter is about. (this could go in #1 as well) and remember to THANK THEM AND KICKSTARTER. It is not about you and how you deserve it, it’s about other contributing to help you make your dream possible. Then close it up.

So you all ready to go and you just launched it… what next?

Well this is the most important you have to promote it. So to those introverted creators you need to open up and learn how to approach others. You need to learn how to sell yourself. It’s hard I know, but it is a crucial element. So what brings people in? Honestly, I knew only 30% of those that backed my 1rst kickstarter. So how does the other 70% get there?

1. Build an audience first. Bean is a free webcomic. I work on building the fanbase all the time. I do cons, pod-casts and blogs. Fanbases take time though, you need to be patient. I waited almost 2 years after “Bean” launched before I even considered doing kickstarter.  Plus your fans of you comics will spread the news. If they like what they have seen and trust your work ethic, they will support it.
2. Social media- you facebook and twit haters out there, do not understand the power and influence, these sites hold. They are incredible tools. Yet the only way social media works- on any site, I include deviantart, tumblr, etc, is that you have to engage there. Talk, promote and encourage. Do not just push your project there, that gets old, but push it in between posts, comments and updates. Show your e nthusiasm, and people will start encouraging others to support your work as well and pass it on. You don’t have to live there, but you do need to spend some quality time there.
   

   

3. Post updates constantly – show different stages of artwork and story development. People love feeling apart of your work- Continue to update after it funds as well. People hate silence. Also let them know sta tus for rewards, etc. Communication between artist and backer is crucial in making this work.
4. Have a lot of the work done before hand. Before I started my kickstarter projects I h a d all the inside artwork done. Projects that almost finished fund, ideas in development stages – struggle. I would recommend having between 60-80% of your work already ready. I usually leave edits and covers to be done during the pledge drive.
5. Support and give love to other kickstarter projects. It’s time to get out of the “just me” attitude. As you give love to other projects, people in return give love to yours. Share what you like about others, push other projects as well. Remember the goal of kickstarter is to succeed and the best way to do that is to help other succeed.
6. Don’t give up. Stay positive. Keep talking about it. Once again I cannot stress how important it is to share your dream and open your mouth. Shyness does work here.
7. Last but not least make a realistic time schedule. Remember – you get the most pledges at the beginning and the end. The middle is a lull. The longer the funding window, the more people forget you are there. Urgency works as well as patience. (hence the importance of #1).

Parting advice for now.

Since I have all but talked your ear off and we could go on and on- which I wont. Though I will answer any questions below and might do some follow up – I will leave you with some personal advice.

Its all about trust, how prepared you are before you start, your attitude and opening your mouth a bit. Follow through with what you say and do your homework. Watch the videos of successful projects. Read their updates, read what worked and what did not. Look at how long some of them have been around before they started their projects and even send them notes. You might be surprised, some of them will actually respond. The key is figure it out before you jump into it.

Keep creating, keep dreaming and be grateful that there are now funding groups for independent creators –

trav-

I am heading home from one of the most incredible shows on the west coast. I had a blast and let me tell you the adventure was worth it. I would hope if you are ever up in seattle you need to check out the show, which happens in march.

I’ll do a full write up later, but i wanted to say this is how a show should be run.

The kickstarter panel was a blast. Jason Brubaker of remind did a great job and I am looking forward to do a few more panels with him in the future. It was standing room only, and they only let half the line in. There was no room in the room. I would think they would need to give us a bigger room next time if we were to do that.

well here’s to a safe flight back.

keep creating

trav

WELL I AM OFF TO EMERALD CITY COMIC CON!

It’s gonna be a fantastic weekend- even though i did a very costly boneheaded travel blunder and booked my flight for last weekend and not this weekend. It cost $1400 to rebook for my crew and I. A learning lesson for sure, one that was quite painful and will prob affect my next big print printing…. Yet I am still upbeat and I am going to have a good time.

Our booth is 315, so stop by say hi, pick up a sketch and maybe buy something (please). Also I am doing a panel on Sat with Jason Brubaker of Remind.

Guide to Creating Your Own Kickstarter Project
Room: 201
Time: 4:00 – 5:00

Eisner nominated Web comic artist Travis Hanson (the bean) and artist Jason Brubaker (Remind), both of whom are coming off three successfully funded Kickstarter campaigns, talk about the Kickstarter process. They will be focusing on how to start, maintain and fund a successful Kickstarter campaign and some of the pitfalls you might encounter.

Also 2 new prints will be debut at the show. click to enjoy them

you can also buy them at the store- (though i only have very limited quantities) –

Well keep creating

trav

This week is Emerald City Comic Con- I will be there doing a kickstarter panel at this show. If you are in the area stop on by, it’s going to be an awesome week.

Also I have a tumblr account- just another outlet for my creativity. I am also changing my artwork section again- I am not pleased with a few things and I am looking at improving things.

Thanks again for all the support and…. Kickstarter rewards start going out this week, look in your mail:)

trav

We learn a little more of our mysterious new elf. I would also recommend going back and reading the first few 100 pages- a little bit more of the puzzle is completed.

Also I have had the opportunity to go and play a bit with watercolors. It has been 14 years. I am using a watercolor brush/pen. It has been fantastic. I am creating pieces for my next show. limited and one of a kind.

Here is the 2nd one….

I hope you enjoy them- i will have more later.

also help us keep the art flowing- visit the store –

Ben has the ability to take the comic to the next level. He and I see and think the same and he is able to pull out extra details that b/w does not offer. I hope you take a moment and continue to encourage him and his talent. I really love seeing “the Bean” in full color. I hope you do as well.

So what happens to the books and the story? Actually nothing. The books will continue to be b/w. They are actually funding a full color graphic novel in the future. The comic will also update still twice a week on mondays and thursdays. Now with Ben dedicated to adding color to the tale I can still focus on telling the story. So I am moving on and have finished over half of the pencils to issue 7. Plus issue 6 goes to press really soon.

Ben’s main goal is to start from the beginning. We talked about just jumping in, yet we both felt that the beginning was a much better way to approach the comic. That way we could still work stress free. Work smarter not harder is idea. So enjoy the tale as it continues and then go back and start it again in color.

Thanks again Ben- you are making this dream an incredible reality.

Also take a moment and go visit Ben’s incredible work

Ben’s website www.ironhenry.com

Well back to the drawing board… oh and remember to vote for us:)

trav

I’ll talk more about this later. For now I just want you to enjoy some of my other art pieces.

This is a concept design for a pesky goblin during WWI

trav