Monday, June 30, 2008

How I campaigned for Zuda.

At the beginning of the month, I employed the most obvious campaign techniques.

I posted a pleading letter on Deviant Art and on Myspace.

Emails were sent to everyone I know. Family and friends called, texted, emailed, blogged, and posted info about the competition on Facebook and Myspace, etc.

Fliers were printed and distributed at all my local comic-shops.

For the first week, Dual seemed to be well received, but Cursed Planet had received thousands of more views than Zuda’s other June titles.

On June 6, Ron made a post on the Zuda blog, drawing my attention to the fact that Wizard Universe had posted an interview with Caanan Grall. In the interview Caanan explained how he had used Project Wonderful to place advertisements on existing web-comics and comic-related sites. I did not notice this post or read the article until June 8.

I began to place ads using Project Wonderful, and I was amazed by how quickly Dual’s views increased.

Dual’s various ad designs are posted on this blog. Most of the ads were placed using:
https://www.projectwonderful.com/welcome.php
on these sites at varying times of the month.
http://www.sorethumbsonline.com/
http://talcomic.com/
http://www.secretworldchronicle.com/
http://www.abandoncomic.com/
http://www.thezombiehunters.com/
http://www.pvponline.com/
http://www.honeysyn.net/
http://www.thebastardswordsman.com/
http://www.flipsidecomics.com/
http://www.exiern.com/
http://www.uesutan.com/
http://yafgc.shipsinker.com/
http://www.starslip.com/
http://clanofthecats.com/
http://www.menagea3.net/
http://www.fanboys-online.com/
http://www.questionablecontent.net/
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/StanYan/revvvelations/series.php
http://www.heroicpub.com/default.php
http://zapinspace.com/
http://nn4b.com/
http://road-to-eden.com/
http://sodiumeyes.com/
http://www.secretsocietywars.com/
http://www.blanklabelcomics.com/
http://www.blastwavecomic.com/
http://drmcninja.com/
http://sorcery101.net/
http://www.postnukecomic.com/
http://www.gunbaby.com/
http://www.thebookofbiff.com/
http://truckbearingkibble.com/
http://www.jump-leads.com/
http://www.graphicsmash.com/comics/brathalla.php
http://www.domainoftheinfinite.com/
http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/
http://flakypastry.runningwithpencils.com/
http://www.dungeond.com/
http://requiem.seraph-inn.com/
http://www.legacycomic.com/
http://www.robandelliot.cycomics.com/
http://www.crossworlds.ws/
http://www.afblues.com/
http://www.drunkduck.com/Star_Crossed_Destiny/
http://www.seedsoftime.net/
http://www.sluggy.com/
http://www.comicspace.com/network/
http://www.yoshsaga.com/
http://rampagenetwork.com/
http://www.evil-comic.com/
http://www.hikousenenterprises.com/
http://joshreads.com/
http://www.multiplexcomic.com/
http://www.skyfallmanga.com/
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/optimumwound/
http://www.thenoobcomic.com
http://www.sinfest.net/
http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php
http://nfccomic.com/blog.html
http://www.sage-comics.com/
http://www.drunkduck.com/Starship_Moonhawk/index.php
http://www.octavirate.com/
http://www.gunnerkrigg.com
http://aliendice.com/
http://www.blueskycomic.com/
http://www.fabricari.com/
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/dirktiede/ps/series.php
http://www.od.spiteshow.com/
http://www.pinkyta.com/
http://www.fallingdownproductions.com/

I also placed an ad here:
http://www.thewebcomiclist.com/

On June 21, a friend approached me with the idea of campaigning at local libraries, bookstores, coffee shops, internet cafes, and any places that might house internet users. So, friends and family began campaigning at these sorts of locations, armed with fliers. I was told this face-to-face method was very effective.

My brother, the infamous Jason, owns businesses across the United States. I approached him to ask for help with campaigning for Dual. He used his business contacts to organize a network of volunteers to spread the word about Dual and Zuda. As a result, the comic fans came out of the woodwork. I have been flooded with a plethora of emails and phone calls from his associates, asking me about where the story is headed, what comics I read, what I thought of Iron Man, and if I will be attending Comic-Con.

I do not have time to relate every story, but many people have contacted me, excited to tell me that they read Bayou or High Moon or some other Zuda title and that they loved it. I am sure many of the folks who participated in the competition will forget about Zuda in the days to come. But I also know our collective campaigning has exposed many fans to this exciting new media.

5 comments:

Robert Berry said...

Mike, that's brilliant campaigning, man. The face-to-face is a huge issue that is difficult to factor into the equation on internet marketing. by going to libraries, bookstores and cafes with fliers in hand, or having friends in other cities do that, you hit a real new approach.

ProjectWonderful is a really effective format for do-it-yourself advertisers. Do all of the sites you list below come through ProjectWonderful?

Would you be interested in giving us some kind of idea of your ad budget? I'm just starting to become familiar with ProjectWonderful myself, and I know it's fairly economical, but you mention flyers as well. I think maybe other webcomickers might like to have an idea of an effective budget cost.

Thanks again for laying this out and i look forward to upcoming installments.
-Rob

Neal said...

Weeeeeeell done. Thanks so much for the insight, and it was a real pleasure going up against you guys. That sounds ass kissey, but true enough. Kudos again!

Neal

Unknown said...

Excellent marketing. (Not sure if I have the energy too pull it off.)

Steve Steiner said...

very insightful!

michael said...

Rob
All but the last site on the list were through Project Wonderful.

I printed my own full color quarter-page fliers.

-Mike