Hello all! Yeah, it's a little late into Thursday with this update, but it couldn't be helped. Made a mistake and had a bit of a breakdown, but Nick took me out to cheer me up a bit. I lost the high res of this comic and I'm not too happy about it >_< I hate photoshop sometimes… Before I go, vote incentive is a better look at the first panel from the last update. I added a little more to it on the actual page, but I also cropped a lot off the sides.
Anyway, Nick's going to take over the rest of these notes.
Hey all EEN here. Thanks to the generous donations of the CTV community we are just $80 away from our goal and it looks like we'll be able to get through the holidays. After the holidays though we are going to be exploring a few options to try and get CTV to make some money without having to always be in donation mode. We'll probably continue the donation at least for a bit but we'll be able to lower the goal considerably until we are making enough money to do without donations.
First and most importantly we are looking at moving to either Evil Empire or Charby the Vampirate dot com. Why would we do so? Well, it turns out that most higher-end ad companies require you to have your own site so if we want to start making some serious ad money and getting into higher paying ad brackets we really don't have much choice. However Amy is very DD loyal and reluctant to “leave” so we would like to know the fans will support us if we go this road. We'll keep updating DD as a mirror but we'll gradually try and divert traffic over to our new site. If we do move Amy will be redoing some of the earlier pages to try and get CTV ready to eventually be printed and with luck published, so expect to see CTV revamped with new art.
Second we are working on a new comic which will be available in PDF format for 1-2 dollars depending on the page count. The comic is CTV Tales. The first issue which is about 1/3rd done explores the origins of Tony and future issues will cover other characters back story as well as side stories and shorts. It will, at least at first, in black and white and probably come out once every three months. Printed versions will follow if the demand is there for them.
Third and finally we are looking into CTV merchandise. Right now we don't actually make any money off of cafe press. What little mark up we have just goes to keeping the store open and those items are pretty much there just for hard core fans. We are looking to change that. We've been looking at both professional productions such as plushies as well stuff we can do in house. Right now we only have a button maker but we hope in the future to be able to provide CTV stuff for much cheaper than the Cafe Press store is right now and actually turn a profit by making things ourselves.
While we may also do some non-CTV stuff to try and make money but those are our plans for CTV 2010. Your feedback and suggestions would be much appreciated.
AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
THE WORLD IS GONNA EXPLODE!!
RUN, CHILDREN, RUN AS FAST AS UR FAT LITTLE LEGS CAN CARRY U!
amy, ctv and uiu is what drew me to dd and discovering the comics that i currently check for every day with baited breath.
that being said, if u left dd to ur own dot com, it would b at the top of my bookmarks! i have turned a few people on to ctv, and they always complain about having to go thru dd to get their charby fix.
i hope everything works out, and u have support from me, my family, and friends. keep kicking ass!!
I've got no problem following the comic off of Drunk Duck. Not like I found it through there, but rather through my usual, ambling nature.
And I'm a hardcore reader apparently, I've got a hoodie.
I hope that you guys will be more prosperous :) I'll loyally follow CTV where ever it goes, also your ideas for different merchandise are amazing and I would totally buy. Great page.
Great page and I wish you luck with the site move, it's probably better in the long run. Congratulations on the comic also, I look forward to puchasing it when my after-christmas broke period is over.
Good plan, id move to the new site the second it was up and running and if the comic was printed id buy it! (although it would have to be multiple volumes)
If you all decide to make the big switch, I would totally support it. While DD is a nice hub for web comics, it is no place for serious web comic writers who want to make any sort of profit off of their hard work. CTV is an awesome comic and definitely worthy of its own site.
That being said, it is important to realize that it is a combination of things that makes the whole website gig work. You'll need to consider a good hosting service with a good amount of bandwidth and one that will not offset the cost of what you actually make. Also, profit is a mixed bag. You should get some good rate with ad services, but you also don't want to overload the site with too many banners. Also, merch is only as good as long as people will actually purchase what you are selling. The biggest tip I can give is variety. There are all different tastes out there so appealing to as many as possible is a good idea. Finally, consider link exchanges. If you can get a few good comics to recommend you to their readers, you'll be golden.
I'm going to have to agree with Jekyll. Going pro is a big deal, but I know I'd follow and support you as much as I can (I'm pretty sure I make less than you two heh... then again, alot of my expenses are paid by the university)
Charby happens to be my #1 webcomic (I could seriously read this all day), but I read alot of other professional and amateur comics as well. Doing this for a living is definitely a big step. You'd have to recognize this as your job and do it on a regular enough basis to update on time and keep the story flowing. I know that some prof webcomics don't actually update often at all, Aaron Diaz updates Dresden Codak maybe once every 2 or so months... but he compensates with huge pages full of artwork and a helluvalot of merchandise.
anyway... I'm beginning to rant.
Yes I'd follow you to charbythevampirate.com (or evilemperornick or whatevs :D )
Yes I'd buy the tony PDF, though I'd be careful when distributing that kind of stuff electronically. It makes it VERY easy for somebody to pirate it (heh bad pirate joke...) at least with print distribution, a would-be naerdowell would have to have a high quality scanner in order to go about his business properly, any shmuck can just upload a pdf torrent to pirate bay.
GAH... ranting again... ok, gunna try to keep the last answers consise.
I don't have very much money right now, and after donating and buying the tony book I'd probably not be able to buy more Charby Swag. Though I'd definitely buy something for my cousin on her birthday and other events (she loves charby!)
--------------------
COMMENTS ABOUT TODAYS STRIP.
awesome! I'mma have to agree Ka Rin, He's probably drinking that coffee to not fall asleep (zombie dreams ain't nice)
as for the rest of the folks, yiska *might* have spied on them in their sleep, but I really don't know if an alp who is trying to be sneaky would purposefully weaken an entire house of "victims". Also, I wouldn't say that Kavonn looks unaffected...
phew... my longest post ever. >.
Squirrel Master at 7:33AM, Dec. 18, 2009
That has to be an evil robot clone. And yes, I would follow CTV anywhere.
KaguyaMegami at 7:17AM, Dec. 18, 2009
Oh my o.o
Mikolai515 at 6:59AM, Dec. 18, 2009
AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! THE WORLD IS GONNA EXPLODE!! RUN, CHILDREN, RUN AS FAST AS UR FAT LITTLE LEGS CAN CARRY U! amy, ctv and uiu is what drew me to dd and discovering the comics that i currently check for every day with baited breath. that being said, if u left dd to ur own dot com, it would b at the top of my bookmarks! i have turned a few people on to ctv, and they always complain about having to go thru dd to get their charby fix. i hope everything works out, and u have support from me, my family, and friends. keep kicking ass!!
Ailorn at 6:43AM, Dec. 18, 2009
I will follow you to any website. Also something still seems wrong with zeno....
Cheesecake for Every at 6:24AM, Dec. 18, 2009
i agree with ZeroVX 2012 has come TOO EARLY! i love that last panel,best Zeno face ever :D
TheTim at 6:08AM, Dec. 18, 2009
That has got to be the scariest thing I have ever read!
ZeroVX at 6:07AM, Dec. 18, 2009
Menu? Not hungry? IT'S THE APOCALYPSE! And a CTV website is definitely something I can get behind.
Omnikar at 6:03AM, Dec. 18, 2009
I've got no problem following the comic off of Drunk Duck. Not like I found it through there, but rather through my usual, ambling nature. And I'm a hardcore reader apparently, I've got a hoodie.
frost at 5:59AM, Dec. 18, 2009
great page, very shocking :P also, you have my support.
meemjar at 5:07AM, Dec. 18, 2009
Amy, do what I'm doing. Put Charby up on www.indyplanet.com its no guarentee, but it might work. I know I'd buy it! :)
RedCast15 at 5:01AM, Dec. 18, 2009
That background reminds me of acid. I would buy a cool shirt but I'm broke :(
Stellar at 4:51AM, Dec. 18, 2009
I'd follow CTV off DD =D Preferably to charbythevampirate.com I'd also be into merch that makes you money. Especially plushies! and graphic novels ^_^
Wazaga at 4:51AM, Dec. 18, 2009
Menu not hungry??? IT'S A SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE!!!!
Chitoriae at 4:43AM, Dec. 18, 2009
I hope that you guys will be more prosperous :) I'll loyally follow CTV where ever it goes, also your ideas for different merchandise are amazing and I would totally buy. Great page.
Dracain at 4:20AM, Dec. 18, 2009
Great page and I wish you luck with the site move, it's probably better in the long run. Congratulations on the comic also, I look forward to puchasing it when my after-christmas broke period is over.
Midnight Hisakata at 4:05AM, Dec. 18, 2009
O.O!?!!?!!?!?! What!? MENU ISN'T HUNGRY?! RUN FOR COVER! HIDE THE CHILDREN! THE EARTH IS FALLING APART!
Skup at 3:56AM, Dec. 18, 2009
Woah woah woah.... Menu's not hungry!? What? The gang MUST NOT be feeling well.
Wic at 3:41AM, Dec. 18, 2009
Oh crap, it's the H1N1! Or more likely Zeno is the cause since he's unaffected and have some creepy things invading his head.
Evilgrunt at 3:28AM, Dec. 18, 2009
Good plan, id move to the new site the second it was up and running and if the comic was printed id buy it! (although it would have to be multiple volumes)
Evilgrunt at 3:19AM, Dec. 18, 2009
OMG! a sign of the apocalypse!
zorro362 at 2:32AM, Dec. 18, 2009
and behold the first sign of ragnarok
Starku at 1:17AM, Dec. 18, 2009
If you all decide to make the big switch, I would totally support it. While DD is a nice hub for web comics, it is no place for serious web comic writers who want to make any sort of profit off of their hard work. CTV is an awesome comic and definitely worthy of its own site. That being said, it is important to realize that it is a combination of things that makes the whole website gig work. You'll need to consider a good hosting service with a good amount of bandwidth and one that will not offset the cost of what you actually make. Also, profit is a mixed bag. You should get some good rate with ad services, but you also don't want to overload the site with too many banners. Also, merch is only as good as long as people will actually purchase what you are selling. The biggest tip I can give is variety. There are all different tastes out there so appealing to as many as possible is a good idea. Finally, consider link exchanges. If you can get a few good comics to recommend you to their readers, you'll be golden.
ergotoxin at 1:14AM, Dec. 18, 2009
Rofl psychedelic effect in the last panel! Last few pages were really awesome!
Vovk at 1:12AM, Dec. 18, 2009
I'm going to have to agree with Jekyll. Going pro is a big deal, but I know I'd follow and support you as much as I can (I'm pretty sure I make less than you two heh... then again, alot of my expenses are paid by the university) Charby happens to be my #1 webcomic (I could seriously read this all day), but I read alot of other professional and amateur comics as well. Doing this for a living is definitely a big step. You'd have to recognize this as your job and do it on a regular enough basis to update on time and keep the story flowing. I know that some prof webcomics don't actually update often at all, Aaron Diaz updates Dresden Codak maybe once every 2 or so months... but he compensates with huge pages full of artwork and a helluvalot of merchandise. anyway... I'm beginning to rant. Yes I'd follow you to charbythevampirate.com (or evilemperornick or whatevs :D ) Yes I'd buy the tony PDF, though I'd be careful when distributing that kind of stuff electronically. It makes it VERY easy for somebody to pirate it (heh bad pirate joke...) at least with print distribution, a would-be naerdowell would have to have a high quality scanner in order to go about his business properly, any shmuck can just upload a pdf torrent to pirate bay. GAH... ranting again... ok, gunna try to keep the last answers consise. I don't have very much money right now, and after donating and buying the tony book I'd probably not be able to buy more Charby Swag. Though I'd definitely buy something for my cousin on her birthday and other events (she loves charby!) -------------------- COMMENTS ABOUT TODAYS STRIP. awesome! I'mma have to agree Ka Rin, He's probably drinking that coffee to not fall asleep (zombie dreams ain't nice) as for the rest of the folks, yiska *might* have spied on them in their sleep, but I really don't know if an alp who is trying to be sneaky would purposefully weaken an entire house of "victims". Also, I wouldn't say that Kavonn looks unaffected... phew... my longest post ever. >.
Saphyron at 12:07AM, Dec. 18, 2009
that is just shocking O_O *boom*