Brad and Dave discuss using rewards and add-ons in a Kickstarter campaign. Then, they tackle the problem of whether your dialogue should feature proper English or your character's "natural" speech.

Today's show

• Kickstarter mistake — confusing rewards with add-ons
• Check out Dave's Kickstarter at Newdrivebook.com
• Should you write in proper English?
• UPDATE: Reuben Awards — two live ComicLab shows on Thursday, Aug. 22
• How to start at the very beginning

Summary

In this conversation, Brad and Dave discuss their experiences with building Lego sets and building a gaming PC. They also talk about the importance of structuring Kickstarter rewards and add-ons, and the psychology behind offering choices to backers. They emphasize the need to make a profit on add-ons and to account for them in the Kickstarter goal. They also mention the upcoming live shows at the National Cartoonist Society Reuben Awards and discuss the possibility of future speaking engagements. In this part of the conversation, Brad and Dave discuss the balance between writing in proper English and writing dialogue that sounds natural. They emphasize the importance of considering the audience and the potential reach of the comic. They also discuss the use of slang and specific language choices, highlighting the need to make slight modifications to appeal to a wider audience. They stress the importance of using punctuation properly, especially in comedy, where timing is crucial. They also provide advice for aspiring comic creators, encouraging them to start making comics and to seek opportunities for publication, even if it means facing potential embarrassment.

Takeaways

• Building LEGO sets and a gaming PC can be challenging and require attention to detail.
• When structuring Kickstarter rewards, it's important to offer a variety of options and price tiers to appeal to different backers.
• Add-ons can be a profitable addition to a Kickstarter campaign, but it's crucial to ensure they are priced to make a profit.
• Digital rewards can be a significant source of income for a Kickstarter campaign and have the advantage of no shipping costs.
• Live shows and speaking engagements can be exciting opportunities for cartoonists to connect with their audience and expand their reach. When deciding on the language and dialogue choices for your comic, consider the audience and potential reach of your comic.
• Making slight modifications to appeal to a wider audience can help you reach more readers.
• Proper punctuation is crucial, especially in comedy, as it affects timing and delivery.
• Start making comics and learn from your mistakes. Seek opportunities for publication to improve your craft.
• Embrace the potential for embarrassment as a learning experience and a way to improve your skills.

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Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.