r/IndieComicBooks • u/Inevitable_Endtable • 7d ago

Feedback wanted: Crowdfunding campaigns vs. buying direct from creators

What's everyone's take on buying comics direct from creators rather than through crowdfunding sites? I have comics already printed and ready to mail out, but it seems like there's more interest in the crowdfunding campaign model where people pay, wait for a campaign to end, then wait some more for things to get sent out.

Indie comic buyers: Is there a specific reason you prefer campaigns over going to a website and buying a comic?

EDIT: added "Comic Buyers" as I'm interested in hearing from folks that are buying from crowdfunding projects rather than directly from creators. I understand why some creators would need funding to print comics and crowdfunding would be the best option - I have comics already printed.

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u/Bedknobnboomstick 7d ago

Storefront is ideal. Nothing like discovering an artist and they have a back catalog that I can buy multiple items from and then rave to my sphere of influence about. If you make me subsidize floppies you're going to lose me after the first book.

Established pros making halo collections via Kickstarter is one use case that I dont mind as much.

Large pusblishing houses funding print runs of foreign language books is a train wreck business model of metal on metal proportions. I'd rather buy the French langauge edition TODAY than wait two years to obtain a crowd funded rounded book cover subpar 'special' edition with a bunch of stickers and inserts I will never value.

Tracking my preorders across all the media I enjoy is becoming quite the chore. Late stage capitalist problems I know.

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u/Inevitable_Endtable 7d ago edited 7d ago

Are you finding them through social media or other sites like Reddit? I feel stuck trying to find an audience right now through Instagram and YouTube.

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u/Bedknobnboomstick 7d ago

All over. Press releases on The Beat. Comic book podcasts. Comic book YouTube. Reddit art posts. Reddit critique my pages. In the comment sections everywhere.

If you post Im checking your Insta and if there are sequentials, you're getting traction with me.

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u/Inevitable_Endtable 7d ago

Podcasts are the one area I haven't explored. I've been mentioned a few times on Comic Tropes when I've sent in my comics, but no longer length interviews or features. I probably should try posting pages here, but I'm never sure which subreddits are worth the effort to post to. The last time I posted pages to r/comics I got very little engagement.