This episode features Cristian Straub of Walt’s Comic Shop. 

https://waltscomicshop.com/

New Comic Industry Insider episodes every Thursday!

Catch the live show every Tuesday at 2PM EST for the bonus pre-show banter! 

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Producer: Stephanie Gerk @stephgerk 

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Comic Industry Insiders: where our goal is to get to know the people behind the scenes in the comic book industry and uncover the secrets that will help you understand and grow your own business or career in comics. Every episode, join host Atom! Freeman as he sits down with industry guests to unravel those secrets.

CHAPTERS

02:50 The Rise of Walt's Comic Shop

06:04 The Value of Community and Learning

09:06 Transitioning from Filmmaking to Retail

11:56 Growth and Challenges in the Comic Industry

14:48 The Impact of COVID-19 on Retail

18:00 Finding Success Through Persistence

24:04 Thriving During COVID: A Personal Journey

30:02 The Rise of Generation Shelfie

38:34 Retailer Variants: A New Business Model

46:17 Brick and Mortar vs. Online: A Retailer's Perspective

51:03 Social Media Strategies for Retailers

52:22 Building Connections with Customers

53:50 The Power of Print Media

56:41 The Value of Collecting Comics

59:51 Leveraging Technology for Sales

01:03:38 Partnering with Influencers for Growth

01:07:18 Navigating Challenges in Retail

01:12:04 Optimism in the Comics Industry

01:15:28 Supporting Creators and Community Engagement