Extremely simple ways to market your comic without getting into trouble

On social media and work for the big two but not sure how to market your comic while dodging inconsistent rules from your publisher? Work for an indie and not sure how to get the word out, or trying to drum up interest in your web comic? Here's a so simple it's stupid idea for you.
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[@ShadowWingTronix]

I've seen self creators make a Twitter or Tumblr page for a new comic that's just for their character or characters. This gives potential readers extra insight into your cast and invests them in their adventures. It's not something they keep up long due to time but for the first few storylines it works. One creator even had his cast talk to each other on their own Twitter pages.

[@Edsh4rd]

I just took out an ad on Facebook early this morning for my comic that I’m hosting on Tapas. To me it’s common sense to market your work wherever you can and invest a little in the marketing. Maybe it won’t pay off immediately, but I know it helps out in the long run.

[@toddblackwood129]

While I completely agree with everything said here, one other thing I’ve been trying to point out for years is that since around the 90’s comics covers have become a place for pinups instead of hooks. It’s my opinion that whenever possible you need to make the audience wonder. I remember one of the first comics I ever bought (Action Comics #487) had on the cover the Daily Planet globe bursting into a ball of flame that Superman was desperately trying to stop before it hit another building, with Superman exclaiming, ‘I don’t know how this burst into flames but I cant seem to stop it!!’ I bought it because I wanted to know what was gonna happen, although I usually lie and tell them it was because the cover was drawn by Jose Luis Garcia Lopez and I had impeccable taste from an early age. ;) Kidding aside tho, it was an indication that there was an actual story there: how did that happen and will Superman be able to stop it in time to save his friends? Promotion of any kind is great but you’re likely gonna get way more bang for your bucks if you know how to pique an audience’s interest.

[@P.T.S.E.]

A good idea, but I have a way more simple advice: never tell people to not buy your product or it's not for them.

[@ComicsPerch]

Well that's just called entry level common sense.

[@bankotsu2a]

@@ComicsPerch you are talking crazy Perch lol

[@GrandaComics]

I hope you read this... somehow I skipped this video and I'm about a week late to the conversation There is an idea I want to use that I want to use in my own comics (that I will crowdfund late this year BTW), that I think can work as a social media post and as promotion to get more people to pick up your books (or once they pick it up on a store actullay buy it). It's similar to yours, but it will need to basically do and extra comic page for each issue you do; Its not to tell what happened in the last issue, but to tell or what did you (the potential reader) missed last time, but rather to tell what is gonna happen in THIS issue, and what you might miss. BUT here it is how I wanna do it... obviously when solicitations or promotions of each comics comes out there is a small blurb or synopsis of the comics. But what I want to do it in the language of comics, you see that many comics or graphic novels carry that same synopsis in the back cover, so when someone picks the book on a shop they can read what the book is about, and maybe it will have a nice illustration of a cool panel from the book as a design element... but what if when someone sees a cool cover in a shop, picks the book up and when he flips it to read what the book is about, instead of text he finds the synopsis of the event of the comic in the format of a comic page (without any big reveals of spoiler of course), that way he can know how the book looks, and what is it about.... think of it as a teaser trailer for the comic embedded on the book and that can also be used for twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc. What do you think? I have always thought that it was odd to market or get a reader of a comic excited with text instead of using the medium he is gonna consume.

[@DD1982]

People like getting on the train AFTER it's left the station. At least that's what I was told when I took a few marketing classes in college. Ironically, a lot of current Marvel and DC writers don't seem to understand that mentality. They just tell people to not buy their books. Then wonder why.. Surprise.. Nobody bought their books.

[@Will.C.]

Just off the top of my head: 1. Go to a pet store and take pictures of the books cover beside cute stuff (or w/e theme). Or take 100 samples of your art. 2. Turn off all ability to comment on post (people are drama). 3. Set automated system to post 1 picture a day. Like an advent calendar. People will get to the routine of looking at the pictures. Warhammer Community uses this kind of stuff with advent calendars and "Rumour Engine". Communities spend many hours a week looking at zoomed in pictures of models trying to decipher what is going on.

[@TheVanillaQueen]

From a PR perspective, just being genuinely interested and enthusiastic about your book is a good start. From a retailer perspective, having a pull discount on everything in the store is a great way to get people into comics when otherwise they may not have interest. I initially got into comics for that sweet 10% off of all the video game and anime stuff I'd otherwise be getting at my local shop. Of course this requires diversifying your product but still.

[@mynardomacaraig2697]

Most of these recommendations are something that the comic book companies should be doing. At least the big ones should have a staffer assigned to do that. It can be difficult and even unfair for a creator to do that. They may not necessarily have the skills to do that. I know that the recommendations sound simple but they aren't that easy either.

[@vjm3]

If I follow someone on Kickstarter, 99% of the comic creators always send out email updates of their content. One series has been in development for nearly a year, but they still manage to come out with monthly updates that make the series seem interesting and cool. It doesn't take an incredible amount of effort....it does take SOME effort.

[@ferrarriohh]

I've noticed recently great IG posts by artists i like & follow, promoting their current books/covers. It's actually very VERY effective.

[@Antigone-yp6ht]

Thanks for the idea.

[@jkarguth]

This would be good to do for preorder times too.

[@InfamyOrDeath-__-]

Perch the creators at the big 2 don’t need your help with selling their comics, they’ve got this down. They come straight out & tell people not to buy their books if you don’t like their politics, they’ll block you on social media if someone asks them reasonably questions that they don’t like. Then they’ll go on unhinged rants that alienate 50% of their customers. So yea, they’ve already got this nailed down.

[@johnm.withersiv4352]

That is a small thing, but it could work. Bonus: it can't hurt. It's easier than trying to force a publisher to change up distribution or buy you spinner racks or book mobiles. I like something cool and easy. I think it would work better for the big publishers than independently published folks. I can't decide if it will work for my upcoming comic...but it can't hurt! Might as well try. I was already considering something of the kind.

[@tedbragg74]

So simple and SO EASY! This works for a whole lot of things, too!

[@StoryboardsbyStuffPOP]

I agree. Monthly is a pretty infrequent release schedule (I’m traditionally used to weekly manga), and it’s hard to remember all that happened to stay excited about everything happening. . Also, my bet’s on AWA for your guerilla marketing campaign.

[@davidvega7773]

im intersted in this subject...i am currently developing my own graphic series...my first time ever!!

[@Bolbi145]

The Perch has spoken

[@PeterPalmiotti]

Good tip.

[@Will.C.]

Suggestions for candidates for random free marketing. Make European comics the next Manga: Europe Comics (partnership), "Thorgal" "Raven" "IRA DEI" ect.

[@VerneditheSnail]

This is some cool and fun advice! Thank you, Mr. Perch!

[@AL-ws5yi]

You know Peter Simeti has open mic Mondays. He allows anyone to come on to promote whatever they want. But I guess he’s problematic.

[@CryogenicGamer]

Hey perch could you give some more comic Kickstarter/indiegogo advice.

[@CryogenicGamer]

Classic perch intro :3

[@ferrarriohh]

Critical Drinker voice: "Nah, I'll just argue politics for 4-5 hrs and be dismissive of potential customers in the thread of a popular drama post, it'll be fine."

[@TSPH1992]

"Go away now"

[@richmcgee434]

Yeah, that'd work. Heck, do it for your one-shot and invent all sorts of nonsense that "happened" in the prequel story that doesn't exist. Maybe it'll stir demand for you to actually do the fool thing. Bonus points if your one-shot is clearly marked as issue 2 - or 35, or whatever. Absurdist marketing is surprisingly effective.

[@barrybend7189]

How to advertise better put it in more stores other than just comic shops.

[@theinvisibleskulk4563]

Do people ever complain this spoils the story for readers who've missed it?

[@forrfuun8470]

I would by add. Keep your twitter visually clean. I meam don't put milion retwets with random things focus on your work. People fallow you not for retweets of funny cats. With Perch idea this will make nice for eye account with important information flashed out. Personally I would want to follow my favorites artist and writer but I don't. Too many random sh... that I don't care about. (and I don't mean politic this is another topic) I want to know what they draw and write and when I can get this. Good idea would be have 2 account. One to promote and official stuff, second private.

[@theinvisibleskulk4563]

I don't know if this is a related problem but I really don't like when really great anime-style artists retweet the work of much worse artists far more than they post their own work.

[@uiron5755]

Or you could just interview with perch and explain where you're coming from on your books

[@hardsellcomixreviews7514]

Honestly I thought this was going to be a salty video but it wasn’t shockingly

[@stormcrow1970]

This is actually a really good idea. So I can pretty much guarantee that no creator is going to do it.

[@hardsellcomixreviews7514]

Pick Idw they need all the help they can get

[@chwatism2598]

I don't know. Kinda sounds like audience manipulation to me...