--- In SkunkworksAMA_at_yahoogroups.com, "danleephoto" <athiril@...>
wrote:
> If a person would not pay for something in the first place, for
> whatever reason, then it's not a lost sale, I'm not here to argue
the
> ratio of new people who havent heard of your work or those who didnt
> buy anything in the first place vs old customer's stopping paying
for
> things.
I'm not considering them as a lost sale, but the other people who
happen across the scanned work. John Q. Public was thinking of
spending X dollars on this folio, but hey, he can get it from an
image board for free. Boom. Lost sale. Like I said, man, I've got
paperwork backing this claim up.
> I've only ever seen one of your comics, so I'm not sure what is the
> format, but perhap you can post parts of them or a low res format on
> your own website just as Second Ed receives them or something? You
can
> undercut scanners before they have a chance to post anything, if you
> make it available directly on your site, people will go there to get
> it, and you will have much more control over promotion.
Actually, I think there are several comics in the "Photos" section
on the group, though they were not uploaded by me. As for a possible
solution to the problem, yeah, I've got a few ideas. I'm just not
sure which one to pick yet.
>
> I think you also should look into creating an attractive package (As
> in physical package), and give your works a more professional
> presentation.
They are cleanly printed on bright white, 28-32 pound laser stock
and sealed in acid-free polybags. Not much else you can do with
that, man.
>
> And I know you may not want to hear this part.. but perhaps you can
> save the hand drawn work for special editions, or at least produce
> extra works completely digitally, using something like painter that
> can be shipped to Second Ed for physical reproduction and sale.
Uh...you do realize I produce 100% of my artwork by hand, right? I
don't use computers in my art. I never have and never will. Call me
old-fashioned, but there are very few artists who are still capable
of pulling off hand-drawn art these days. Most use computers for
speed, efficiency and the ability to correct mistakes. In
traditional media, there is no "undo" button, and I'm rather proud of
the fact I can render drawings which resemble black and white photos
(mainstream artwork). I only recently decided to use some of those
techniques in the anthro artwork, so hopefully, it will increase the
appeal.
I did the "send master copies/files to someone else to print" and
got fucked over hard. I had to threaten legal action and demanded
the retailer cease selling my material. Likewise, I got fucked over
by a comic company (never received money for a large graphic novel, a
stand-alone comic, or any funds from a benefit comic created to help
pay for my eye surgery). The chances of me letting someone else
handle that task are pretty much nil, I'd have to say.
>
> It's not easy, but I think market research and better marketing is
in
> order, if what youre doing now isn't work too well, then continuing
to
> do exactly the same thing isn't going to work.
But here's the catch; the furry stuff has been relegated to "hobby"
status, since I am able to make a good income from my mainstream work
without all the hassles and headaches encountered with dealing with
the internet. I'm an old-fashioned guy. I use modern technology if
I absolutely have to, but I prefer simpler ways. I like carburetors
on my bikes, I like a revolver in my hand, and I like drawing things
with pens and pencils. Maybe I'm a relic, but that's just the way
I'm wired.
Market research sounds like an interesting concept, but how much
time does it take? I do have a fairly busy schedule, although I try
to get online and check the group as much as possible (though it's
not always a sure bet). Any suggestions?
Thanks for the input and advice, though. Change is possible, I
know, but it's hard to squeeze in sometimes when schedules are
tight. Any ideas involving this topic would be welcome!
--JMH
Received on Thu Oct 02 2008 - 22:36:23 CDT