SEQUENTIAL SMARTS #9: Getting Viral
With this post, I’m can safely say I’m caught up. Good thing too as the tenth and final installment of SEQUENTIAL SMARTS goes live on Newsarama.com today.
Keep your eyes open for it…
I want to give you my comic-cooties.
Really, I do. If I can infect you with the goodness that is my comics, then you will go out and infect others, telling them about my great works of graphic literature. It’s pretty easy too. All I need is a good comic coupled with ready-made story (bestowed unto you via good marketing) and VOILA! You have the bug.
It is not as dirty as it sounds. In fact, people love finding new things that they can tell their friends about. See, we humans are a selfish species and when we come across something new, unique, hilarious or just plain cool, we get to connect that something to ourselves, giving us a kind of social currency. Being the bearer of this great new thing is both a little ego-booster for ourselves, and a useful favor to those we know because we are informing them of something that we believe he or she will enjoy.
It’s commonly known as viral marketing or word-of-mouth marketing, and as comic entrepreneurs, you and I are not looking for a cure… we are cooking up a contagion….
December 7th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
Hurr. My most ardent evangalist, I tried being their friend… things were great for 5 years and then they went nuts and stalked me. Fortunately it all stayed online, but I notice you mention “marketing yoursef” (as a person). Can’t that result in BAD things happening?
December 7th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
fyi I know who you are.
Yes, I think bad things can happen as a result. I’ve had my fair share of scary ‘fans’ but I don’t let that hold me back. Nor should you. Limiting our success because of fear is just silly when you think about it. Crossing paths with a jerk/stalker/lifeless-fuck can happen anytime, anywhere. Trying to avoid that kind of thing by giving up something that could actually benefit us just doesn’t make sense.
And that pretty much says, “No, don’t worry about it”. So, to at least give you some worthwhile advice, I simply suggest not letting people get too close. Show your dominance in all things regarding you and like puppies they usually acknowledge your superiority. If you sense someone is getting to pushy, just start ignoring them – this ALWAYS works for me. All they really want is your attention anyway.
Your Messiah has spoken.