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Now Here's Some IM meets Comic Book Art skill!

by EvolBaby
20 replies
https://www.facebook.com/steverudethedude?sk=wall

Steve "The Dude" Rude is a very popular artist in comics. He's using Facebook and the web in a way I had told guys about 15 years ago. However we didn't have Facebook then. Mind you, here he's using his Facebook fan site to give away artwork in raffle format. He has over 5,000 likes on this page and because there's no way he could possibly sell sketches to everyone of his fans in one lifetime, he's seen how to use it to not only generate capital but to keep his fans happy.

In this route he has fans send in $5 for a raffle to get an original piece of his artwork. As the number of participants increases, the better the artwork product he ships. If a 1,000 fans toss in $5 a month a piece he's scored $5k for something that takes him minutes to do.

This is part of the ancillary end of comics. Offshoots to the benefits of the growing fan bases that we cartoonists/artists can get nowadays thanks to the web and Facebook.

Giving goodies out like Steve is doing here is something that is both innovative and effective. With this year's San Diego Comic Con a bigger event than ever and with comic book movies ruling at the box office, this niche is just getting to where it needs to be.

I've been away from comics for several years but just snagged some great assignments and will be putting out my old comics soon redesigned. You can bet I'm going to use Facebook like this!
#art #book #comic #meets #skill
  • Profile picture of the author paul wolfe
    Interesting business model - thanks for sharing it!
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    • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
      Originally Posted by paul wolfe View Post

      Interesting business model - thanks for sharing it!
      You're welcome!

      Being a popular artist is how that model runs best. He's got a built in fan base already from his years as a comics creator so he's turned it into an online marketable model. I've found several studios and investors have been asking us artists to do this sort of thing especially for charities. If time allows it's a cool way to generate capital.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ian McConnell
    Great business model, because if done properly it could potentially double or triple the sale price of his art... and the raffle winner gets a sensational deal. Any artist could easily implement this very quickly. What about the legalities of running a raffle though?

    Thanks for sharing.

    Cheers
    Ian McConnell
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    Ian, the business model only works if:

    A.) The artist already has a fan base

    B.) There's a track record for the appreciation of the artist's works.

    Most artists out here unfortunately suck. Most people can't afford the artwork we create. Oil and watercolor paintings are out as they sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Comic book original art can sell high if in demand. Most original comic art is sold at auction or to collectors. Most of it doesn't go for much but now thanks to Ebay many top comics artists do sell at a good clip.

    The legalities depend on the model, state where you live etc.. This is a web based system. Much like Crowd Funding. There are probably all sorts of combinations that can be used but it all boils down to quality of work and fan base.
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  • Profile picture of the author laustinseo
    wow that's a great technique, although some people may get frustrated with not winning, but besides that i imaging it works quite well
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    • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
      Originally Posted by laustinseo View Post

      wow that's a great technique, although some people may get frustrated with not winning, but besides that i imaging it works quite well
      The only thing that keeps that model going and customers coming back is the chance to get some original art.

      Original art is like gold to the second power. It always goes up in value. Even if the artist doesn't have tons of fans now, there's no telling what will happen ten, twenty, a hundred years from now. That's an investment for your family's future.

      Just over 100 years ago the men like VanGogh, Picasso and others were thought to be hacks who would never go anywhere. I believe Van Gogh only sold one painting or none at all and today he's considered the most prized of all.

      Today, if you're a comics artist, exposure isn't a problem because of the internet. However, once you get that exposure you have to make the right moves. The majority of artists have no business sense, marketing sense. I'd like to change all that but don't have the time to lay it all out for these guys.

      I've got a lot of high profile comic books I'm drawing and writing soon and that's a long term association. That will pump untold numbers of attention and having studied here on WF I now know what to do with that attention and traffic! I can't wait!
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  • Profile picture of the author laustinseo
    Yeah I understand that receiving individual art from a famous artist is worth alot of money, however I am just raising the point that if i was one of the entrants, and i lost a few times, i would be tempted to stop out of frustration. In essence what the artist is doing is the lottery.
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  • Profile picture of the author hotboy18
    Giving away great artwork from a famous artist is awesome and having a big fan base to like you work is the better half of this business model. This is a great promotional strategy and sales will increase will all the hard effort put in.
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    See, nowadays with digital technology an artist can print and sell lithos/giclees online. Even low cost autographed prints. Some guys take a cover they did and autograph it and sell them at conventions for like $30 a piece. However they sell 1,000 of them, sometimes in one weekend. With online, you can sell them from home.

    This is offline industry moving to online and the majority of the participants having no online marketing skills. Even when you sit there and tell them so they fart around. Believe me, I tried! That's why it's good to see Rude taking the high ground on it.
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    When Kindle and other ebook readers get better graphics, you'll see comics explode in sick levels! Our companies are working on that and preparing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    It's a great idea!

    A cautionary note for any marketers thinking of trying this:

    Most jurisdictions have strict rules regarding raffles, so be sure to check into them before jumping on this method. It's also a good idea to make sure your printed rules meet all of the legal requirements as well.

    It's still a great idea, but be sure you're doing it right.

    All the best,
    Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      It's a great idea!

      A cautionary note for any marketers thinking of trying this:

      Most jurisdictions have strict rules regarding raffles, so be sure to check into them before jumping on this method. It's also a good idea to make sure your printed rules meet all of the legal requirements as well.

      It's still a great idea, but be sure you're doing it right.

      All the best,
      Michael
      Right on! As I had mentioned earlier the same. Because it's online biz, rules may be different and you want all your T's crossed and i's dotted.
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    Just check out his other art products from prints to fine art in his products menu and you'll see how a pro sells his artwork. He's got every base covered. So fans who couldn't afford a $5,000 painting or a $200 print can at least try the raffle.

    His list of products and prices should be making him a ton of loot.

    Fans know that the $5 they donate for the raffle will get them a piece of art they can turn around and sell for hundreds. Like hitting the lottery literally. Only $5 a month at a better shot of winning than if they did play the lottery? A good shot at an investment says I.
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    In addition with his art selling model above using a raffle, Steve has his Ebay store where he sells sketches and prints and original artwork:

    Official Steve Rude the Dude Store items - Get great deals on Sketches, Nudes items on eBay Stores!

    Whoever is managing his marketing is doing a great job it appears. I myself will be adding some original art up on my Ebay store. People constantly ask me for original art but can't afford it. As I build up my Facebook presence and new fan base I should do quite well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    I haven't researched the law in every state but I'm willing
    to bet that if you took the time to do so you'd find that running
    a raffle is illegal in every state unless you are a legitimate
    non-profit organization with a permit to run the raffle.

    THIS IS NOT LIKELY A VIABLE BUSINESS MODEL.
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    • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
      Originally Posted by Tsnyder View Post

      I haven't researched the law in every state but I'm willing
      to bet that if you took the time to do so you'd find that running
      a raffle is illegal in every state unless you are a legitimate
      non-profit organization with a permit to run the raffle.

      THIS IS NOT LIKELY A VIABLE BUSINESS MODEL.
      Raffle FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions about Charity Raffles

      That's a good website to get info on raffles. What constitutes as a raffle, rules, regulations etc.. Each state of the union is different and raffles regarding online should be checked too. Steve's a high profile artist and I'm sure he's crossed all his Ts and dotted all his i's.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kierkegaard
    Something similiar - in terms of a gamble - has been operated in Art galleries. 100 Artists will each be given a blank postcard and asked to create something on the card. Each card has a number on the back.

    Customers, can purchase any card they like for something like £20.

    The thing is that they can only see the number. That is, the card is displayed facing the wall. They have no way of knowing what they'll get (and more importantly who they'll get).

    You could get lucky and get a piece of orginal art you really like for just £20.
    You could get really lucky and get a piece of original art by a big name artist for £20.
    You could get lucky and get a piece of original art by an up and coming artist who goes on to be the next big thing.

    It's not a 'business idea' but a fun way to gamble with art.
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    I'm betting Steve has some loophole or there is some protection somehow. Am waiting to hear from him.
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