Is Kickstarter the best way to launch my product? Will health problems ruin my career? Are pricey printers worth it? Jake Parker, Will Terry, and guest host Anthony Wheeler share their perspectives in today’s episode.

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SHOW LINKS

Anthony Wheeler: website, Twitch, Instagram
Episode 134 with Anthony Wheeler
Red Shift Renegades by Jake Parker
Kepler’s Intergalactic Guide to Spaceships by Jake Parker
Canon PRO-1000 Professional Printer
The Complete Kickstarter Playbook by Will Terry
What They Don’t Teach in Art School by Will Terry
How to Think When You Draw by Lorenzo Etherington

KEY TAKEAWAYS

What do you do, who do you serve, and how do you work? The answers to these three questions can direct you to the best professional (or non-professional) artistic route for you.
Life comes in seasons; sometimes you need to give your art and business 110%, while other times you need to focus on health, family, or your personal life. Be patient with yourself and flexible through every season.

QUESTIONS

Micah asks, “Do you outsource printing, or do you make prints on-demand at home?”

Will outsources his printing to professionals; it saves him time, money, and the hassle of home printers. Jake finds printing at home most convenient unless he needs a large batch of prints. Anthony believes if you’re going to print from home, you need to invest in a high-end printer (he loves his Canon PRO-1000), as well as nice paper and inks from the manufacturer. However, if you print in high volumes or can’t afford fancy gear, outsourcing is a great option. Don’t underestimate the quality you can get for cheap at chains like FedEx or Kinkos, especially for small print runs when you’re first starting.

Loni asks, “What are the benefits of using Kickstarter versus doing preorders on your website, especially if you have a social media following and drive a lot of the traffic yourself?”

Here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of Kickstarter:

Pros:
- If you fund within twenty-four hours, the algorithm gives you increased visibility, bringing in more sales
- Great for big launches if you want to pull in people outside your audience
- Kickstarter launches feel like special events; with add-ons, tiers, comment sections, and ease of sharing, people are eager to join the party
- Good for products with a high up-front cost

Cons:
- Time-consuming
- It’s still best to bring your own audience to jumpstart funding
- The main demographic is young men; if your product falls outside that market, it will be harder to fund

If your product is very specific to your brand, or if you don’t have time to manage a Kickstarter, launching independently can be a great way to go. If you have a more generalized product and want to give it the chance to go big, Kickstarter might be worth a shot.

Asya asks, “I am terrified of success! Once you’ve entered a contract, what happens if you can’t complete the job? I’m worried that I might disappoint people because I have physical and mental health problems and get overwhelmed easily.”

Physical and mental health issues are no joke! Allow yourself to grow one project at a time to see where your limits lie. If you don’t deliver on time for a publisher, that will work against you; as much as they may love your art, they want to work with someone reliable. Bite off only as much as you can chew.

Don’t be afraid to redefine success. Do you need to be a full-time illustrator, or would you be happier making art just for yourself or your fanbase? There is no shame in creating for a smaller audience or as a hobby if it’s better for your health.

LINKS

Svslearn.com

Jake Parker: mrjakeparker.com. Instagram: @jakeparker, Youtube: JakeParker44

Will Terry: willterry.com. Instagram: @willterryart, Youtube: WillTerryArt

Lee White: leewhiteillustration.com. Instagram: @leewhiteillo

Daniel Tu: danieltu.co.

Lily Camille Howell: lilycamille.com

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If you want to be a part of the discussion and have your voice heard, join us at forum.svslearn.com.