Business
Making money with webcomics. Seriously!
Article Casts Light on Sherpa
Submitted by Dedos on August 13, 2004 - 13:00
In a recent article, the journal Editor and Publisher highlights Comic Sherpa as a tool to getting noticed by more people and possibly publishers. The Sherpa is a listing service whereby creators can submit their works for $9.95 a month (or $99.00 a year) for the privilege on being posted alongside an established professional syndication site, uComics.com, beside such classics as Garfield and Calvin and Hobbes.
Scott Kurtz Offers PvP For Free
Submitted by David Wright on August 2, 2004 - 12:45
As an alternative to joining an established print comic syndicate, Scott Kurtz announced a new plan to offer the archives of PvP free to newspapers.
People are buzzing with this announcement, and the ramifications it will entail to the future of newspaper comics and syndication. Read some of the reactions over at ToonTalk from such established cartoonists such as Wiley Miller (of Non Sequitur).
Newspaper Comic Strip Pinch
Submitted by Dedos on July 13, 2004 - 09:02
According to a recent Newsweek article, newspapers are trying to put the squeeze on the funny pages once again. Due to media company consolidation, the companies that publish the newspapers now have enough clout to place demands on the cartoon syndicates, or force them to suffer over $100,000.00 in losses resulting from cancelled business.
Peppercoin Releases Version 2.0
Submitted by Dedos on June 29, 2004 - 10:42
Peppercoin has released the next version of its small (but not quite 'micro') payment system. Peppercoin 2.0 promises smaller per-transaction fees, no required user signup, per-use and subscription models, and easy payment through credit and debit cards.
Goats Launches Fundraiser
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on June 23, 2004 - 10:23
Following on the heels of the successful Something Positive "Help Me Quit My Job" donation drive, the fellows at Goats have launched a similar effort. The full details on positive changes for Goats that would occur depending on the amount of money raised are listed on the site. Jon Rosenberg also provides an explanation for why a fundraising effort is needed now:
The shame of it is that I think we're only a year or so away from being able to do this full-time with a small but reasonable salary. It would be a dream come true, and we're so close I can smell it. There's two of us that need to be paid, so it's taking about twice as long as we'd like, but it is possible. Especially if I can spend less time trying to find freelance work and more of my time working on the strip to get us to that point. Unfortunately I'm not entirely sure I can get over this hump with my credit rating intact. At least, not without your help.
NextComics Shuts Down
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on June 13, 2004 - 12:24
Alexander Danner notes in his blog that Next Comics has shut down operations. In fact, the domain name (nextcomics.com) has expired so the only place to still read the final post from publishers Arni Gunnarsson, Mal Jones, Joe Szilagyi, Mike Sims and John Hirbour is at Danner's blog.
From all reports, Next Comics published at least a few ongoing projects but with fewer and fewer updates throughout 2003. Sadly the publishing staff at Next Comics appears to have made no plans to save the work published on their site and leaves it up to the creators (hopefully the creators had backup copies of work submitted to Next Comics).
Dog Complex Launches Brand New Referral Program
Submitted by 3Dave on June 4, 2004 - 17:22
Dog Complex kicked of a brand new service on Tuesday, June 1st, that rewards readers for telling others about the strip. The idea is simple: A reader registers at the site, is issued a unique URL, passes it on to their friends and family, and gets a point each time someone visits Dog Complex. The top 3 point leaders at the end of the month get prizes, like DVDs, books, strip prints, and more. Not only that, but there are also random prize drawings as well, so that users of the system do not have to feel like they're out of the running just because they don't have a lot of friends.
Something Profitable?
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on June 4, 2004 - 16:21
After R K MilHholland challenged his readers to pay his salary for the year so he could devote himself fulltime to Something Positive, it appears that Milholland's faithful may in fact help him to quit his day job.
MilHholland reported this week that his donation drive was closing in on $20,000.
Lots of Discussion About Making a Living Making Webcomics
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on May 27, 2004 - 14:33
Emily Adamo (editor of webcomic Apple Geeks) wrote an article called "Making Webcomics Your Day Job" for the Apple Geek site. Plastic picked up on it and started an interesting comment thread on this still mostly elusive goal.
Buy Some Original Diesel Sweeties Artwork
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on May 25, 2004 - 17:45
R. Stevens is auctioning off the guest strip he did for Scary Go Round. Click here to bid.
