I've spent the week preparing material for an unsolicited presentation to the owner of the comic shop here in Fairbanks. I'm going in tomorrow at 6pm during gaming when the owner is sure to be there. I don't know the guy but I have a friend who does, and he's offered to come along and provide the introductions.

I've decided on a hefty sum of $4.99. That's one Rockstar and two Mountain Dews, hell, that's 20 packets of Ramen! Far too much I know, but don't worry! I won't run out and spend it on Rockstar and Ramen (though I might really want to) I will instead put every dime into the purchase of a tablet, printing costs for more runs, and hopefully a trip to the Comic Con. Another buddy has already offered to cover the plane tickets (though maybe he's hoping I' forgotten.) So those of you going to Comic Con '09, hopefully I'll see you there :)

I'll be selling to the comic shop for $4.15. that's a 17% margin. Anyone know what they would make if they were ordering from a big distributor like diamond? I still have time to change my figures if I'm being unreasonable, or not reasonable enough. I'd like to have some barter room. Thoughts?

I'm also offering them add space on the back cover. 1/3 page for $200, which is what the other 2/3s have sold for, so I think that's a decent price, though it too might be a bit low. Also I'll design the ad for them for $50, which is dirt cheap by normal desktop publishing standards. That much I know.

So- wish me luck. I'm nervous as hell.

Oh yeah BTW- I'm leaving work early to run over to the comic shop, and then rushing like hell to a "Halloween Carnival" at my daughter's elementary school which will have already started by the time I get there. Already the comic is affecting my home life :(

Good luck, dude. Advertising like that is pretty hard.

...

Geez, I just remembered that I have to try and get my comic into the schools newspaper.

Crap.

Wow mate. Five bucks may be a bit much honestly but you know what, you'll never know if you don't go for it and ya gotta start somewhere. Just be open to bartering with the guy and I'm sure it'll turn out in your favor. What do you pay for publishing? I think that more or less should determine final pricing. I'd say four bucks would be perfect range for negotiations but if five is what you want then do it. And good luck mate, don't think you'll need it though. Just don't forget the little people when ya hit big. =D

ShinGen
What do you pay for publishing?

It's gonna cost me $2.51 per issue, but the 1st run is 20% off, so it'll only be $2.01. I thought about asking $3.99 but I had alot of people tell me I could ask more. It's still negotiable though...

Well how many pages is she gonna be? I think five is respectable but only to a certain point. Anything under 20-25 should be priced accordingly or else they'll just laugh at you. (My friend went through the same thing with a place called "Comic Cult" so he kinda told me how to go about it)

ShinGen
Well how many pages is she gonna be?

32-36.

Oh that's good. Then I'd say 4.50 to 5 is perfect price range. Just make sure to negotiate with him. I know it sounds cliche' but don't take no for an answer. Make sure you come in with a portfolio of your best work and enough comics to stock, get him alone when he's not busy and point out your entire business plan and how you can benefit his organization. Show him you're a team player. Basically treat it like an interview because in essence that's what it is. You're being interviewed for your business. Just walk in with a good attitude and don't walk out until you strike a deal that suits both parties and everything should go swimmingly.

Good luck! I've seen your art, and I like it a lot.

Good luck. Buy that candy.

Good luck mon!

Good luck!!

Good luck, buddy! Don't take no for an answer!

I do have a fall back position in case they say "no." I figure I can print the issues my self and just buy shelf space from them (with a percentage) if it comes to it. Better than nothing, and all they stand to loose is one spot on the shelf. I'm not gonna mention it until I've heard "no" more than once though.

I thought your meeting was at 6!

Nothing but good thoughts for you here! Best wishes on the endeavor!

I wanna read it, NAO!

all the luck in the world to you.

Priest_Revan
Geez, I just remembered that I have to try and get my comic into the schools newspaper.

I have mine in my school's newspaper D:

Sidwarrious
I thought your meeting was at 6!

It is. It's 5:23 here. I'm really nervous.

Oh snaps. I think we're same time zone. West Coast? Either way I think your meeting is either in process or just finishing up so let us all know how it turned out asap! I'm dying to know mate.

Best of wishes! let us know how it turns out!

ShinGen
Oh snaps. I think we're same time zone. West Coast?

Alaska.

The owner wasn't in :( I talked to the 2nd in command though, and left him the material and price sheet for the owner to read. I'm headed back in the morning to see what he thought, that is if the suspense doesn't kill me first...

Oh, cool. Well don't worry I'm sure it'll turn out fine mate. ^_^ And even if something doesn't go as planned there's plenty of online alternatives. =) But I don't think you'll need 'em, your stuff is excellent so I think it'll go just fine.

Best laid plans hunh?

So I talked to the owner and he told me that he doesn't sell local comics :(


















...but I got him to look at it and he changed his mind right away :p He's gonna give me a spot next to the register with a sign that says "Local Artist" and he even recommended pitching it to Diamond. I think it needs way more polish before I'd even consider something that big, but I think it's dooable. Thanks for your support guys. It means alot to me :)

Are huzzahs in order?

Sidwarrious
Are huzzahs in order?

I'd say a huzzah or two might not be uncalled for :)

paranoid snippage.

Nice! Congrats!
All it takes is a little taste f success to get the ball rolling!

But if you eat too many of the magic mushrooms your tongue gets all swoll'd up like a cows tongue! How come? Cuz it comes from a cow's dung.

Good luck with that. I guess?

Congrats, this calls for a beer! Actually most things do for me. But this time I mean it damn it! Woo HOO!

Um sorry I referenced your what you snipped?

Sidwarrious
Um sorry I referenced your what you snipped?

's okay. I just forget that these things are illegal sometimes. Other times I just don't care and say it anyway, and every once and a while I change my mind :p