#134 - The Tats Make The Man
Monday, May 29th, 2006So glad to have Tim back in the strip. I’d forgotten how long it had been since he was last around. Now, what about Barry and Lewis?
Sometime this week, I’m going to start putting together Hate Song #3. I’ve been thinking about making it much thicker that previous editions, collecting about 50 strips and having collections of stories I’ve written and other such nonsense. The thing is, I don’t know if it’s something that people would be into picking up.
What do you guys think? Would you buy a Hate Song book if it were, say 100 pages (50 or so pages of strips, including guest strips and others, concept, sketches and about 30-35 pages of writing) if it were in the $10 range? Or do you prefer the $3 single issues?
Also, a couple people have asked about having some sort of club or program, where you pay an annual fee and get all the comics, a shirt and other junk that I put out over the year. Does this interest anyone? Or do you prefer to just grab shit as it comes out?
This is market research right up in your business here.
Did I mention that Jamie and I are still looking for table space at the San Diego Comic Con? Can’t you help some honkies out?
May 29th, 2006 at 2:39 am
Ooo, I like the idea of an annual club thingo. That sounds great! Would it be running internationally, or just for America peoples. (I’m hailing from Australia, so thats why I want to know…)
May 29th, 2006 at 3:12 am
For all us people outside of the US, the more expensive books would actually be preferable, as the small books are nearly the same s&h. So put out bigger books in the $10 range and I’ll be more likely to buy them than the smaller $3 books actually…
May 29th, 2006 at 7:31 am
I like the idea of more strips & stuff in the next book.
As for the club, you should figure out what “premiums” you’d offer before you start a sign up. I’d want to see what I’m getting before I buy it.
May 29th, 2006 at 8:47 am
Rich:
Well, the idea for the club is still sort of in its infant stages. There’s no sign up yet, I’m just looking for a little feedback on what people think and what they would expect.
I would probably have a couple/few different levels, but the two that I presently have in mind are:
$50 per year includes:
•3 Hate Song books (value $10 ea)
•1 Hate Song Shirt of your choosing
•Hate Song Army patch
$100 per year includes:
•3 Hate Song books (value $10 ea)
•1 Hate Song Shirt of your choosing
•Hate Song Army patch
•Original comic strip art (your choice or randomly picked)
•8.5×11 sketch
and…?
One of the things that I’m not really interested in doing is withholding any online content. I’d rather just include a lot of extras in the books.
May 29th, 2006 at 11:28 am
I probly wouldn’t get on the club thing, I’m more of a “grab-shit-as-it-comes-out” kinda guy. But the $10 uber edition of Hate Song sounds sweet. so long as content is packed in there tighter than a black cock in 15 year old asian.
May 29th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
Fred,
Could you not produce both? I’m certain there’s a market for both. You may even get some fanboy fuckers ordering the $10 and $3, I know I would.
Now I’m no expert but most webcomic readers in my experience aren’t up to shelling a cool hundred in one shot. Us student types have noodles and shit to buy. I guess if you made it four quaterly payments of $25 it would be easier to digest, but I’m sure you’ll work that out.
Looking forward to book 3.
May 29th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
Well, I may still do both. We’ll see.
As for the “club” $50/$100 deal, it’s not something that will be for everyone, but I have had a few requests. I’m just trying to get a feel for how other people might dig on something like this.
Personally, I’ve never spent $50 on a webcomic, but that’s just me. If people want to spend money on me, I’m not going to stop them.
May 29th, 2006 at 4:42 pm
I’m thinking that the $50 sounds affordable - i can live off ramen noodles for a fornight or so if it meant I’d get hatesong goodies.
Not so sure about the $100. Maybe the quarterly payments would be a good idea in that situation?
May 29th, 2006 at 11:54 pm
I like the idea of the club but unfortunately I wouldn’t be able to join. Moneys extremely tight. The 100 page $10 book sounds good though.
May 30th, 2006 at 4:09 am
I couldn’t really afford to join a club, but I am addicted to shirts. I think I’ll just bide my time and grab shit as it comes.
Great comic today, by the way.
May 30th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
I’d probably sign up for the cheaper yearly thing. You could also package the deal so that the first set of preorders get the previous books as well. Possibly yearly customers could get a discount on merch or maybe a discount on their next yearly membership.
May 30th, 2006 at 8:28 pm
I like the idea of a 100 pager - I have to read a couple books of my choice over the summer and write a paper comparing two of them. Hate Song # 3 + The Count of Monte Cristo = one damn fine report.
July 16th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
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Cool.