Sorry for the late update, I just got back from the Emerald City Comic Con – What a wonderful and incredible show. So grateful for all the help that came from some many people and spouses that made this show possible for our family.

It was a fantastic weekend and now it’s time to get back to work. Time to role up my sleeves and get this book done and jump into the next chapter.

I love the energizing feeling cons can bring. It makes really enjoy art and having the ability to mingle with some truly wonderful people . Thank you again for everyone that will be there.

Keep creating and dreaming big.

trav

Growing up I can remember playing  in my imagination. It was an adventure everyday. Adventures that took me places and help me figure out what direction I wanted to go in life. My imagination gives me hope and allows me to dream big… Our imagination is a gift, a very precious gift one that when not used can be lost to us. We forget how powerful a gift it can be.  So maybe playing outside, or with legos, blocks, action figures, is ok. It is a gift that can push us forward and help us solve complex issues and most importantly make life enjoyable. So dream big, embrace your imagination and let the adventure always move you forward.

This piece is also part of a very special project called the sunday’s comic project. You can find more information on this project here… Sunday’s Comic Project on Face Book.

Keep creating

trav

I was sitting here looking at the title of the comic and realized that I have drawn over 646 pages of one story. I don’t plan to stop either. I am in awe over how this story has evolved and how I have grown as human being because of it. A tale of dishwasher, who now finds himself in a cold dark world carrying a sword that is fighting to control him.

The coloring has been a new motivator for me. I know the transition has been tough for some, but I also know that the story is soooo much better because of it. I don’t know where my future is on the books at the moment. (Don’t worry I am not stopping the story and it does have an ending) I just don’t know if I will be able to speed the timetable up or if I will be stuck at 2 pages a week (front and back) for a long time.

As you can see I am determined and I am not giving up. I really enjoy telling this tale. I love where it is going and I love that I am a part of it. I am also happy that I am able to share it with you. I am supper appreciative of how several of you are supporting it on a monthly basis. You are helping me find more time to keep it going. Thank you so much for what you are doing. You don’t have to I know, but I am so grateful that you do.  If i get this set up right I will be able to update the bean 5 times a week. But that is going to take a little extra support from you as well. So for now, I can only manage one new page to the story and old page of the story colored.  I just have a family to feed:) I would though ask if you enjoy this tale to help share it. We can use all the help we can get.

I also am grateful for my supportive family. They have watched this tale grow and struggle. I am a lucky man to have them as they deal with late nights of me drawing comic pages and creating this wonderful tale.

Thank you again for everything.

Keep creating and keep Creating

trav

Yup I am almost ready to launch the kickstarter to the next part of the story. Right now I am building up all the rewards (which if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them) as well as the graphics and the video. I am really excited about this book in the series and I am already scripting out book 5.

Thanks again for being part of this incredible tale.

Keep creating

trav

What makes a show though successful is not just the con’s responsibility but the exhibitors/guests and the fans as well. It’s easy to praise a show when an exhibitor sells well and it is equally easy to blame the show when the exhibitor does poorly. Now the con adds to that atmosphere, usually with placement and such, but at the end of the day the exhibitor has the power to make the show successful or not.

As an exhibitor/freelancer I know I need to cover my expenses and enough to help cover next year. So generating income at a show is important, yet it is not the end game and when I learned a few things on how change my game, I found my shows getting better and better. I also learned the power of adapting. Conventions are not just about comic books anymore. Regardless of the show you go to, you find an explosion of pop-culture there. This is actually good for creators that have figured that out. It is more opportunities for you to have a good show and up your game.

As I talk other creators, and we do chat, I listen to what works and what does not. I also listen to their attitudes. I find it interesting that there are people out there that always have a miserable show, always complaining about the con, and always seem frustrated about why there table is not moving product. It seems very easy for people to lash out at the show organizers, who gave them booth space or approved them the opportunity to sell and brought people in the door, now do they need to man your booth and sell product as well. That is your responsibility to do that.

Maybe this is where you sit back and ask yourself what I can do as an exhibitor to change and up my game? How do I make it profitable? or maybe the true question is asking yourself how do I make it better for the attendees and continue to build the tribe.

I know there are creators out there, like myself that always have a good show. They might not all be money makers, but their  experiences make the show good and because of how they look at show they become successful.  I’m not here to tell you how to run your booth, I am though going to offer a few pointers on how to improve your experience and maybe help increase your profit at a show.

1. It’s not about you. One of the biggest mistakes creators, artist and exhibitors make is that they believe it is all about them. They are a guest, they paid for their spot or it was given to them. They feel they are above the con organizers, other creators and even more sadly then the fans (the very people that buy your works). They walk around with a chip on their shoulder and feel that they need to be treated in a certain way. If they don’t sell they blame everyone else but themselves and people see that, they hear and read the rants and they eventually stop coming by the table. You are literally sabotaging your own show.

So who is the experience about… well it’s for the fans, the cos-players, the families and anyone that walks through those con doors, that is a potential contact.  These are the people that will keep your career alive. By making the show experience about them and ensuring that they have a fun time  you sow the seeds for new fan bases, new friendships and support for your works.

I have seen several artist and/or exhibitors ridicule fans from their tables, or show no interest in those that walk by because they are talking to their neighbors the whole time.  That actually alienates you.

Yet I have also seen artists – extend a hand, offer a free sketch, talk to people by actually looking at them, and making themselves very available. Their tables are usually packed. They understand the value that it is not about them – but about others. People feel that vibe and they gravitate towards that.

I do free sketches as well. To anyone that asks. It’s a two minute sketch, but in that two minutes we have a great conversation and they bring their friends back. This converts, they walk away with a piece of paper with my website on it and I have a great experience. I have met some of the most incredible people over the years. I’ve been told I am crazy for offering free sketches, but my table is always packed… how crazy am I to do a 2 minute sketch for a total stranger.

Also many times before a show starts, exhibitors usually get in an hour so early to set up, as my crew and I sit and watch, we have seen a few exhibitors chew out security for not letting them in even earlier. My favorite phrase is “do you know who i am? or I am guest?” when they are still denied entrance, they sulk back to other exhibitors and 90% of the time badmouth the show. Which is a shame, because most of the time, the show itself does not control this but convention security.

2. Con’s are changing and you need to adapt…

As more and more movies come out, and as the fantasy, sci-fi, superhero and anime worlds are embraced by more and more people. Cons will grow. Yup they are not what they used to be.  No longer the big sprawling rooms of the comic boxes and artists, but huge mash-ups of creators, artists, publishers, studios, retailers and more. Each fighting for the fan that walks by the booth to stop and hopefully make a purchase. It’s easy to blame the show, to want to go back when the artist or the indy was new and had a stronger voice, yet to me that’s not upping your game. It’s making excuses.  I know several indy’s that are flourishing and growing. It’s not because we were lucky… it’s because we are adapting to the change and taking chances. We are branding and building on our worlds. So how do we do that?

* Always have something new on the table. I exhibit at about 12 to 14 shows a year. At every show there is something new on the table. A book, a print, a puzzle, something. My inventory grows and that is important. Create a reason for people to come back to your table and visit. Fans want to see your stories continue, they bought your books and prints because they were interested in what you were creating. If you don’t have anything new, they will come back for a little bit, but eventually they move on.

* Make your work marketable. This is understanding who you are selling to. I have talked to creators who show me their children’s book, which they sit next to another of their book full of images that are offensive to be people and they wonder why parents won’t buy their children’s book. Even when they explain it’s not like their other books.  If you want to sell to kids or all ages… than make sure your table or booth represents that. Kids are the browsers – parents are the one’s that make the buying choices. I’m not talking censorship… i am talking about learning how to market. Learn what to have on your booth and table and what your audience is.

* Step up your booth presentation. Appearance is everything. A table with a few stapled ashcans or zines, will not have the same success as someone who printed a book semi-professionally. Even print on demand offers opportunities for you to have a good professional looking product. Also make the booth or table inviting, you need to be approachable, which means that you need to become approachable.

* Stop hiding behind your sketchbook or sketch pad. Yes people like seeing you draw but when you hide and do not  interact you are creating exhibitor suicide. Start asking questions when people come by your booth. One of the most influential people I have ever seen, will always shake hands and asks them their names. He makes them feel important. He creates an experience for them.

* BRANDING – and I am not talking about tattoos. I am talking about learning to create an image of you. Something people will always remember about you. What is the experience that you will create for the fan that comes by. Branding does not have to be expensive either. A simple table cloth, a couple of nice banners and a fun experience.  Some people like 19xx, little vampires, Steam Crow have this down to a tee.

* Be your own artist… meaning start selling your own work, rather than superhero head shots. Seriously if you can stand and be apart be different you will do better than the artist that draws like everyone else.

* You can’t hide anymore. Understand that due to the internet, kickstarter and webcomics fans have much more personal interaction with creators. Some creators cannot handle this. You can’t hide behind your publisher like before. So learning a few interactive social skills will go a long way.

* TREAT IT LIKE BUSINESS AND NOT A HOBBY! Indy’s, artist, creators if you want to be successful at a show, treat it like a business because that is what it is. If you treat it like a hobby, you will never be able to put your full attention towards your dreams.

* Broaden you shows Ok this important- In AZ Phoenix alone there are over 30+ shows and events a year this is way too much. Though I would love to go to all of them- I personally only hit 3. I find when you saturate your own neighborhood, you stop growing. You need to travel a little. You need to hit shows you can drive too out of state. Stay with family or friends, cut your expenses as you can, but get out of your hometown at times. Your audience will grow. The first show or two will be tough in new cities but as you return and you return with NEW STUFF your audience grows. This is important.  It allows you to find new clients and sell material that your neighborhood has already seen for the last 5 years.

* THE WINGMAN Take someone to work the show with you. Pay them in food and lodging. It makes travel easier. They sell for you and you can be the artist/creator that you need to be. The wingman takes a lot of stress off you as they help with setup. If they are talker as well it will help with sales. Just remind them they are there to help you. Plus it is great to have a second pair of eyes on your booth.

3. The kids are your future…

One of the saddest things to watch, is creators ignoring kids or people that cannot afford to buy. Parents pick up on this right away. They are literally pushing away their future fans. I remember an experience I had with an artist I admired. I just wanted to thank him for his work. I was a supporter of his books and had bought many of them. He must have been having a bad day… but the negative experience was enough that I stopped buying his works and even stopped visiting his table. His attitude completely turned me off.  These kids might not have money, but they will one day. Treat them well and always be friendly and they will return and eventually they starting collecting your works. You don’t have to give things away… you just show interest in them. Appreciate them and you will influence them.

Since I give away free sketches… I see kids come back to my table each year. I am usually one of the first places they go to. They have thought about an idea all year long. Some of these kids I have been doing sketches for for the last 15 years now have kids of their own and are adding my works to their children’s rooms.

Because we make the experience about them, they in return support us. I am grateful for those opportunities, those simple interactions and the lasting friendships that have been created.

4. Everyone is important that stops by the booth. 

Notice a trend… it’s about putting others first before you. It is amazing how a little kindness, a little interaction will go a long way in making a show successful for an exhibitor. Even the comic stores and retailers could learn from this.

5. Cos-play is actually helping the cons… have a little fun with them

Todd Nauck (Nightcrawler, Teen Titans) taught me this. He loves them and enjoys them… takes photos with them. The cos-players bring the convention to life. They add a little element that is very needed. They are artist in their own right and they have really made my shows a lot more fun. Think about it – the cos-players bring your favorite characters to life and they help create a buzz for the show.

6. Remember it’s still not about you.

When exhibiting just remember you are there not just to create income (that is still important but if it’s the sole reason you are there it can make for a miserable show). If you create an experience for the attendee’s, if you reach out to them, and make them feel important… they will support you. When you make it all about you… when you put yourself above everyone else and start demanding, it just shows how shallow you are and you miss out. To some this might not be important for. It’s a choice they make, yet I have found that by putting others first my show experiences have become incredible.

You would be amazed by what a little kindness can do for your business.

7. Understand the con organizers are people just like you…

The con is not out to get you, I promise.  Those that run the con cannot always take your personal call. THAT IS OK, they have enough to worry about (city policies, attendee/exhibitor safety, high-profile guest, logistics, etc…) your personal phone call to complain why your booth doesn’t have an extra chair, needs to be handled with the people in charge of that. The con has responsibilities to make sure that you have the info and resources you need to exhibit. Yet at the end of the day… you are in-charge of making your booth successful.

Con-organizers try to do just that, organize a show. They try create an infrastructure that is effective for both attendees and exhibitors. Sometimes it does not always work right. But it doesn’t help your cause as an exhibitor when you yell, name drop or treat these volunteers like garbage. In fact it just makes the experience bad all around. You just need to take a deep breath and let them figure it out. They usually do. The kinder you are – the more likely you will get your issue solved and rather quickly.

To badmouth a show right there and not give them a chance to improve during the day doesn’t help the cause.  Now the volunteers need to make sure they have the information available as well. Yet at the end of the day we are all just human beings trying to do our best.

Problems arise – but most problems will not ruin your show. Your personal attitude will ruin a show.

You make the show fun or not…

Honestly you are in-control of how you react at show to the experiences that are thrown your way. You make it fun or not. If you put the attendees first, if you make the show enjoyable for them – they make it enjoyable for you. They best shows have been because of this mentality.

There is so much more to talk about for exhibitors. I’ve only scratched the surface, but the goal is that exhibitors have a successful show, that conventions organize a successful show and that attendees have an incredible time.

So the next con you exhibit at… change your thought process and make the show about them. If you make about the attendees you will almost always have a successful show. Find ways to interact and get out of your comfort zone. Be mindful that you are one of many exhibitors all trying to do the same thing… grow your business. What will make it work for you is how you will be able to stand apart and make the experience incredible for someone else.

Keep creating..

Trav

Now what’s this about Pre-ordering the book

We will be mailing these books right after the kickstarter reward go out. This means you should also get these books before christmas. Also books with the maps are going fast- I have a very limited amount.

Your support for this project has been amazing and very humbling. I am very touched by everyone’s willingness to be a part of my worlds.

Please take a moment and share this adventure. Every bit of sharing helps make this project shine and introduces others into the wonderful world of one’s imagination.

Thank you again and remember to keep creating, keep dreaming and keep believing

trav-

It’s been a long year of shows and I have 3 left before the year runs out. Each show is unique. Some are really well run, some are struggling with finding their identity and some are just plain greedy with the focus of “it’s all about them” (you know who you are). Each show creates a reputation that as artists and venders learn about, helps us decide whether we go back or not.  As I have said before what makes a great show is when the exhibitor/artist and the con both contribute to make it an incredible experience for the community they have their show in. They make it worth while and the attendees, when content, make the show incredible for exhibitors/artists.  Yet it really lays on the shoulders of the con itself and the exhibitors to reach out.

With that being said. Let’s talk about Long Beach. This is a show that is growing. It is figuring things out. They really try to focus on the artists, by placing artist alley in the center of the hall as well as trying to get place artist exhibitors around them and then the shops on the outskirt. They value the artist and many times I was checked up on to make sure I was doing well (much appreciated).

Yet if you are a vender and you are looking at trying to make huge amounts of money at the show, than you are at this show for the wrong reason. Exhibitors with high travel expenses and overhead might want to wait another year or two and let the show grow and develop some more. In fact this show feels more like a celebration to an audience that has never experienced a show, which is a good thing. I find that they are being introduced to an incredibly fun world of pop culture and comics.  I met a lot of people, who told me this was their first time. They said they had a good time and didn’t what to expect. They are more cautious with their funds though – as cons get bigger and bigger this is something that exhibitors need to take into account the curiosity factor of attendees, who do not know what to expect. Yet they were gracious, polite and had a great time. Which means they will most likely come back.

There are though a few things that need to be improved upon… There were a few deadzones, this happens where the layout stops flow or pushes movement in odd directions. Also it was mentioned many times about how hard it was to find people and they got lost with the numbering system. Something that many cons struggle with.

I think they need to do away with kid centered panels. I was on one and it was just 4 people (two were related to me) we still had a great time. There are many other ways to involve kids, but panels are not one of them. Phoenix has a great way of  creating kid specific areas. In fact my wife mentioned that LBCC had the right idea with their section but they just were not there yet. Most cons don’t cater to a kids section, with things to do. Phoenix in fact is one of the few shows that actually nails it on head and makes that area really wonderful. So I would suggest to have a dedicated team and volunteers to make that area fun ( a happy kid area, makes parents a lot more content which in turn translates to more interaction with exhibitors and artists).  I was though really excited to see my coloring pages put to good use, and will be happy to donate more images to this show in the future for them.

Load in and load out was smooth for us, except for the opening. There needs to be an exhibitor table with badges down by the loading area. A lot of shows do this and it makes it so much easier for exhibitors and artist checking and being able to unload. We got there early enough and I have a crew so they waited, while I took the long walk back and forth to get the badges.  By the time I got down there the back log was growing which put a strain on a lot of exhibitors when they opened the floor at 9. (I wasn’t thrilled about that either. I wish they would have waited til 9:45 or 10. The rollups were still up and it made for a very unprofessional look to those attendees that came in at 9 am while people were still trying to set up.

Honestly this show is still growing. Yet what makes them unique, compared to some shows (including the one that shall not be named) is that they are willing to listen and adjust. They are trying to make the show fun and balance out the attendee/exhibitor/con experience. I had a great time, I loved taking pictures with cosplayers (the mario/lugie guys were awesome), and getting to socialize with a several creators that I do not usually get to.

It’s a very laid back show and sometimes, laid back shows are needed. As they get the word out and maybe spend a little more on advertising to get other communities near by (buena park, huntington beach, laguna, redondo etc) interested and excited about coming to your show, I think you will have a winner. A show to be really proud of.

This is a show with promise, they just need to work out a few bugs, and build up the audience for the exhibitors more.  The show had a nice vibe to it. I want to see this show succeed. I will be back and I will do their spring show, because I enjoy the effort and the humility that the organizers bring to the table. They honestly feel like they are trying to put a good show together for both the long beach community and the creator community (who need to be a little more gracious at times as well.)  It would do some other shows good to look at their own egos and maybe focus on building a great show for their community rather than brag about numbers and how great they are. Shows become great by how they are received and what others say about them and not what they say about themselves.

Here’s looking forward to the spring event.

trav-

]]> https://www.beanleafpress.com/this-months-art-giveaway-on-patreon/ Thu, 18 Sep 2014 17:39:19 +0000 http://www.beanleafpress.com/?p=8035

This is this months art give away.

The collector, the evil – red rock troll that captures our hero the bean.

One lucky person at the $20 level or higher will get this piece. If you want to be in the running- Just change your reward level and you will have an opportunity. Remember you can cap your pledge! I am not offended or hurt either if you cap your pledge. That is understandable. You can set your pledge for only one update and still be eligible to win the art.

Thanks again for your support- You guys are making it possible for the bean to one day be released in Full Color.

Keep Creating trav

Salt Lake City’s 2nd Annual Comic Con has come and gone.   As I decompress and enjoy a quiet moment eating macaroni salad and hanging out with my family, who really just want to sit next me, I find myself thinking about our incredible adventure. There were a lot of things that were enjoyable about the show, but there are also many things that need to be addressed and fixed to make this show … an incredible show.

After 13 years of exhibiting at shows (about 10 to 12) a year, I have seen shows that have been an incredible adventure, shows that have been so-so, and some that well, they join the ranks of the show that will not be named.

So what makes a show a success? Well if you read what some shows say about themselves it’s all about the numbers? Or what a celeb might say- yet – that’s not really true. If you really want to get a vibe of show, talk to the exhibitors. Look at the vendor list. Who has table space? What many cons do not realize is that vendors talk and wield a lot of influence to other vendors. Yet we will talk about that in a moment.

Understanding that what makes a show successful is truly the overall experience that a vendor has, that an attendee has, and that the organizers of the con have. If one or two are out of balance it creates a show that will struggle until it finds balance.  Also what makes a show successful is how they bill themselves. Many shows on the west coast want to be San Diego Comic Con. That’s what they want to be, they want huge inflated attendance numbers, lots of celebs (which is ok) and to be billed as the best show in the west. I think that they are missing the point of what a con is and how to make a con grow to be a fantastic show that allows all 3 aspects (vendor, attendee, and con runners) to have an enjoyable aspect. In fact my first suggestion is to focus not on being San Diego, or competing against SDCC, or anything to do with SDCC or another con, and focus on being the most incredible experience for your community. They you will create a truly incredible show.

Phoenix, Emerald City, and Tucson understand this principal. Their shows are geared to their community, they talk with each other, they talk to their vendors and they make sure the experience for the attendee is as smooth as possible.  Their shows are not about them, but about creating an experience and though they are not perfect, they are succeeding.

So let’s break down the show. Remember – I am not dogging the show, I am just talking about observations, things that can be approved on and things that worked well. I am actually talking to exhibitors. They want to know, because there is a vibe about SLCC, if it will be worth their time. I have always hoped for another show in the Midwest. I think Salt Lake is perfect for it actually.

There are a lot of great people there. They were kind, many were shell shocked (first con experience) and they seemed to enjoy themselves for the most part. Having a very strong show in the fall, would be ideal for artist and exhibitors. Especially an art heavy show (with good art). There several smaller shows, but not one that helps cover some of the slowest times for artists. SLCC has that possibility.  If we could get one or two more – that would be awesome and there are some shows out there that are working on it. So what happened – what was good and what… well needs to be addressed.

the Good-

The people. I love the people. When I go a show, I enjoy the interaction. I understand that I am there for them – not for me. My whole goal is to make sure the attendees that visit my booth have an incredible experience. Because of that- that benefits us.

Like I said the people were awesome.

Artist alley was in the front- I actually liked that. It’s the first thing people see as they walk in –

kabobs – ok call me silly- but at $3 a kabob, it was quick and easy meal that didn’t break the bank.

The con organizers offering free passes to those that couldn’t get in Thursday. Thursday was a rough day it seemed for everyone. The line management was out of control. It was quite frustrating, yet the organizers figured it out and Friday and sat went very smooth.

A lot of people there, many for the first time, and many looked very overwhelmed.

Loading in and out- for us was awesome. Easiest load in and load out experience ever.

The cosplay was fantastic. I must say that is what I love about the shows… It’s like Halloween for three days, but the costumes are soooo much better.

Having the tax people there to get you the right forms! Huge plus for us out-of-state vendors. Made it very nice.

the Bad

I really want this con to be successful – but there were some issues that really need to be addressed. They actually in the long run, can be pretty disastrous if they are not looked into.  This is not to make the show look bad- I had a good time, but there were other vendors (veteran vendors) that had a miserable time.

The hall layout was weird- It was a shape of an L- Now that’s not the fault of the organizers. Most conventions have no control over the hall space they are given at their local convention hall. What Organizers do have control over is the layout. There were many dead zones created with the layout. Huge dead-zones. Long walkways don’t work with t-bone sections. It messes with flow.

Phoenix and Emerald solved this problem and if more cons looked at their layout to improve theirs it would completely change their shows for the better. They grid it. Every booth is a corner at those shows. Salt Lake struggles here and the layout was odd and confusing. It did not help that there was a wrestling match going on in the middle of the hall. If that had been a little more off to the side it would have allowed for a lot easier flow between the two sides of the hall.

Lack of respect towards premium booths by the show. One vendor paid for two corner spots (a huge chunk of change) and they were made to believe that they would have good visibility and an aisle. They did until the organizers placed and Air Force tractor trailer right in front of their booth. Creating only a 5 foot walk and completely blocking off there booth to the public, effectively shutting them down at the show. No-one could find them and they do some most incredible work. There were other vendors blocked out by other things as well. The wrestling made it hard for the vendors in front of it trying to talk over the announcer and the noise. It wasn’t a good experience. (We were not in that group either).

A lot of vendors were not media, comic, publishers, or artist… this is a problem, when insurance people and non-comic con vendors fill your show. The show becomes a bazaar and it’s not what the fans came to see. They can buy insurance somewhere else… the con floor space needs to be about comics, and media… especially if the show bills it’s self as a comic con. Best Buy? Really?

Several empty booths. This is not a good sign either. They need to sweeten the deal to publishers and creators… they are a lot cheaper than actors :).

Beer- ok this is touchy one… I don’t care if people drink, but open containers on the floor of a hall are a recipe for disaster. I have only been to 3 shows that have had alcohol on the floor.  New Mexico, APE and, I’m a little surprised… Salt Lake. The reason I don’t like booze on the floor is this- while in New Mexico someone dropped a 44 oz in front of the booth and the area smelled like stale beer for the rest of the day. At SLCC someone dropped an open beer all over a $400 original painting at my friends booth and the just walked off, leaving them with a ruined painting and out $400. That’s why I’m not a fan of drinking on the floor.

Panel information, aps and information in general. I understand they wanted to get people to use their app to find panels, but people just don’t. I was on two awesome panels. The problem was when trying to find my panels, we went to the guide to find them. PLEASE PRINT IN THE PROGRAM NEXT TO THE PANEL THE PANEL ROOMS AND THE TIMES AND DATES WHERE PANELS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE!!!!!! It made it really hard to get to our spots on time.

When I went to exhibitor information for important information- (twice) they shrugged and said they had no idea.

Security at the end. San Diego has this down to a t- Salt lake I would suggest to take notes. They clear the hall with their security. They start in the back and work their way to the front one aisle at a time. It’s the best way to do it. Asking people to politely leave, doesn’t work.

DJ’s next to vendor booths. They make it hard if not impossible for the vendor to interact. I know of several vendors that struggled here.

Lack of exhibitor information… this was frustrating-

the Weird Ok there are always a few things that I find weird.

Wrestling… I don’t know, a few cons have done it but I find them more as a distraction.

The overhead system asking for a licensed dentist in the house… Must have been due to the wrestling?

The overhead system asking for all lost children to go to the information desk… there seemed to be a lot of lost children.

Overall Feelings…

I enjoyed the experience at the show. My show was better than many of the vendors. This show is experience serious growing pains. Yet I believe the organizers want it to work. I saw that with the line issues on Thursday. They were on the ball. They tried really hard to make it up to the attendees. I applaud them for that.  They also seemed to want it to be fun for everyone.

I hope they reach out to exhibitors more especially the exhibitors that had the Air Force Trailer parked in front of their booth. They need to make that one right.

The main this is just the focus is a little off. Stop trying to be SDCC, stop focusing on numbers at the moment (focus a little on them) but don’t make that the priority, don’t be a comikaze (ugh), just focus on being a great show for your community. If you do that – if you make the vendors feel important as well, and organize the floor better so that it generates flow and not dead zone or blockages, you will have an incredible show.

I did enjoy myself. Like I said- I don’t expect a 2 year show to be like a 40 or 13 year show. There is a reason those shows are doing what they are doing. They figured out the balance of exhibitor, attendee and con…

Would I do the show again? Yeah, I would do it. I know what to expect and like I said I really really want to love and see this show be successful. It has a lot of potential and I look forward to what tweaks they will make.

Keep creating –

Keep adventuring and here’s to stronger show in the future.

trav-

Hello my friends- there is a lot going on right now. It has been 10 weeks since I found myself completely on my own as a professional illustrator. I have found that this has really been a test of faith, a test of skill, and a test of discipline.  To see what I am involved with and working on. I have several shows that will finish off the year, I might add one or two if I find the right ones. I am also running an incredible patreon campaign to color the bean comic. It is truly an epic undertaking and the support is growing.

Also my commissions are in full gear. I am always open to helping others follow their dreams. I want people to dream big, to see their dreams become reality and to enjoy the grand adventure. If I can help them create their books, design their characters and worlds, or just do art for them, than I too am accomplishing things.

Well keep creating and dreaming big.

This is the big week- SDCC- There is a lot going on and I will be a little scarce, but updates both in color and b/w will still happen.  If you happen to be there- stop by the booth and get a free sketch.

Also keep creating

trav

Yet in a time when Indy comics are getting harder and harder to produce and get out there. Mind you that diamond is no longer really friendly to the small guys, there must still be an outlet for those of us that have  fantastic tales to tell.

Yet too often too many incredibly good webcomics fall by the wayside, because their creators cannot keep up with the pace or demands that they set up for themselves. Which is a shame. You see more webcomics are truly a labor of love.

The other problem one faces is having to weed through all the crap to find the really strong ones. With the power of the web, a story can reach a huge audience, but we forget that we are competing with many other artists trying to do the same thing. So how can you make your webcomic survive and how can you as a struggling illustrator manage to make a little income at the same time? Well let’s break it down….

1. DEADLINES AND RELIABILITY- I cannot stress this one enough. Set realistic deadlines. Bean updates once a week, every monday and then two color updates tuesday and thursday (I have embarked on the biggest project of my life coloring Bean from page 1). My readers know that there will be a new part of the story on those days, they expect it and so I must honor that. If I kept changing the days without telling people… people loose interest. IF I MISS DAYS WITHOUT AND EXPLANATION PEOPLE STOP READING! See too many comic artist start missing deadlines for what ever reason and push the updates further back. You want to upset your readers, don’t be reliable. If you want your readership to grow, update when you say you will. There are many programs out there that will let you automate this process so you can be several weeks in advance.

2. WORK WITHIN YOUR LIMITS. Honestly, if you can produce 5 colored pages a week and that’s all you had to do, then updating 5 days a week is fine. Yet most artists are pretty slammed so 5 colored pages a week can be quite overwhelming. Work within what is realistic. My main goal is to finish my tale in b/w first and then go back and color it (or find someone else to color it for me so I can do another tale). I realized I can produce several pages a week- between 8 to 10 at times in b/w, yet I cannot do this consistently. I have other obligations and I LOVE being married and I LOVE being a dad. So I must juggle a bit. So I found that making sure I update twice a week was very workable and now I have an 80 page buffer just ready to be uploaded. Which brings me to the next point.

3.CREATE A BUFFER! They(newspapers comics) say you should have 6 weeks of strips in the hopper. I am a strong believer of that. Do not try to update the same week you do that perfect page you are working on, you will only set you up for failure.

4.QUALITY OVER QUANTITY! There are no print deadlines with webcomics except the ones you make for yourself, yet keep them! So take your time, make it look good. If we can prove that there are incredibly well written and drawn stories out there, more and more will flock to find them. Yet that takes a little faith in an industry that pay artist very little. That’s why I like a twice a week update. It allows me to take time to create a good story with out feeling rushed as well as lets me cover my other freelance jobs at the same time.

Other updates though are important- I love having a separate art gallery to let my imagination go wild. It gives people something to enjoy why they wait.

5.KEEP YOUR STORY FOCUSED- I recommend to start with an ending and then work your way to that point. It’s all about direction. Epics are fine when they have a focus to get to. Side stories are fine as well but be careful that you do not loose focus. Webcomics that loose focus, loose readers. (more on story creation in another posts).

6.WHY PAY SITES DON’T WORK AND THE POWER OF THE HARD COPY (for the reader): By posting our webcomics online for free, it allows a fan base to built. People from all over the world can enjoy your stuff… and yes they get it for free, so where is the money aspect of it. If you use a site that charges admission for your work, it drives fans away and you end up making very little and risk a much smaller fan base (I have a few friends, who are very talented that ran into this trap). I say utilize the hard copy. Small print run, keep it clean and professional and sell it online and at conventions. If your fans love your story, they will love the hard copy even more.

You still need to eat and 95% webcomics are done in the evenings late at night as a labor of love. People do not realize how much time is put into a dream to make it a reality, and how many of us struggle to make ends meet and still produce an incredible story.

SO HERE IS THE REALITY CHECK! A lot of people will just read the story online. You will also notice that many people promise to buy your books, family and friends etc… but when it comes down to it those numbers are really small. Yet the person that finds your webcomic and takes the time to comment, return daily, etc will be the one that will buy the hard copy. It is the truth.  Yet you can still create income as indy… It’s just learning what options are out there.

The bean was written to be a printed story. It fits this pattern to the letter. I dedicate each book to be 152 pages of the story that is online, plus extras – maps, notes etc….. I have 3 books done and I am now in the process of finishing book 4. I make sure the cover is nice and strong and that it is something my fans would want and enjoy. It is a tribute to them, because the Bean will not always be up here.  Each book has been funded by Kickstarter- and now the coloring is being funded through patreon. These sites and are personal stores allow people to help keep our webcomic stories up and free to the masses.

As when search comics I am the same way, if I find a web comic that I really enjoy, I will pick up the hard cover.

7. MAKE YOUR SITE FUNCTIONAL-and use a good tracking software to see hits etc. Unique hits are more important that regular hits. A unique hit number is a more accurate representation of how many people are reading your comic. So if your website gets 500000 hits and has only 12 unique hit, that means only about 12 people and one might be your mom, are reading your comic. So focus on getting the unique hits up.

8. GETTING YOUR NAME OUT THERE- This is a weird one. Trends change all the time. You will find, even if your story is picked up for print, that you still have to push the advertising yourself. You will have to make contacts, you will have to come out of your shell and start meeting people. Start submitting your links, make deals with other webcomics you like (mind you some creators are really picky what they will showcase, for me it is quality and age appropriate material) to host one another links. Find time to promote someone else, you might be surprised to see the favor returned. This game though is always changing… Social media is changing and Facebook is not as creator friendly as it used to be.

you can link to the bean with this image

9. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE- I am a dad, I know what I want my kids to see online, so I make sure my work follows in that vein. I also know my audience loves reading fantasy and likes certain things, so I make sure I please my audience, while not loosing the integrity of my original vision. Basically do not sell your dream short for a few hits. If you keep true to your vision your audience will find you.

10. HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT? This is my biggest thing. Do not tell me how bad you want it. Show me. Put the time in to your work.  What are you willing to sacrifice to make that dream work. I love video games, I rarely play them because I would rather tell my story. Family is first, my dream is second, because my dream would be nothing if I destroyed my family in the process.  Yet I still sacrifice to make the dream happen, I love entertaining and when they go to bed, I sit up and draw. When it fails (which bean did 3 times before now) do you get back up and rework to make it work? Only you know  SO honestly how bad do you want it?

These are just 10 simple things that have made my world a reality. I have had so much fun creating this and I know if others are inspired to do the same, the world of webcomics would be as strong as print. Fans would come and that labor love would pay off.

So keep creating, keep dreaming and keep drawing.

trav