Comments on: Comics Marketing: The Return Of That Retailer http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/comics-marketing-the-return-of-that-retailer/2008/08/19/ Kevin Church writes things. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:31:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: me http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/comics-marketing-the-return-of-that-retailer/2008/08/19/comment-page-1/#comment-1038 me Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:40:51 +0000 http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/?p=4092#comment-1038 I found the website for the comics retailer/hobbyist being dissected here. He uses the word 'civilian' there as well. I guess he must be involved with the military or he just really likes Sgt. Rock. I found the website for the comics retailer/hobbyist being dissected here. He uses the word ‘civilian’ there as well. I guess he must be involved with the military or he just really likes Sgt. Rock.

]]> By: Kevin Church http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/comics-marketing-the-return-of-that-retailer/2008/08/19/comment-page-1/#comment-1010 Kevin Church Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:21:47 +0000 http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/?p=4092#comment-1010 Maybe I'm using this retailer as an example of what not to do without actually caring about <EM>his business</EM> one damn bit? I work in marketing. I think about retail all the time. I think about the message that our industry distributes internally and externally. When I see something like this, I feel like it should be pointed out. That's why I posted it on my blog. Maybe I’m using this retailer as an example of what not to do without actually caring about his business one damn bit? I work in marketing. I think about retail all the time. I think about the message that our industry distributes internally and externally. When I see something like this, I feel like it should be pointed out. That’s why I posted it on my blog.

]]> By: Fortnight http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/comics-marketing-the-return-of-that-retailer/2008/08/19/comment-page-1/#comment-1009 Fortnight Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:14:11 +0000 http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/?p=4092#comment-1009 It's his business. He can run it how he sees fit and suffer the consequences of his own decisions. He's responsible for those decisions, and I don't think he would deny that responsibility. So...what's the problem? He doesn't do things the way other people do them? Fine, but he's still in business. If he's operated this way for a while and still done well enough for himself, and if he's satisfied, then who cares? It’s his business. He can run it how he sees fit and suffer the consequences of his own decisions. He’s responsible for those decisions, and I don’t think he would deny that responsibility.

So…what’s the problem? He doesn’t do things the way other people do them? Fine, but he’s still in business. If he’s operated this way for a while and still done well enough for himself, and if he’s satisfied, then who cares?

]]> By: Steven http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/comics-marketing-the-return-of-that-retailer/2008/08/19/comment-page-1/#comment-1003 Steven Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:55:44 +0000 http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/?p=4092#comment-1003 "why this phenomenon exists in the comics industry." It's not just the comics industry. As the above clip shows, it happens in the music industry, and also in the books industry, restaurants, art galleries, theater companies... anywhere people try to make their hobby their business, but still treat it as a hobby. And as long as they're happy "doing what they love" while barely making margins, or even losing a little money each year, then they can get away with atrocious business practices for years (and then don't understand why they lose all their business to the "big corporate chains" that do crazy things like stock what their customers like and make profits). It's not just on the retail end either. Plenty of small publishers (that I have worked for) are just guys with money who thought "wouldn't it be fun to run a newspaper?" without actually caring about making books that people want to buy. It's a shitty way to run an industry. “why this phenomenon exists in the comics industry.”

It’s not just the comics industry. As the above clip shows, it happens in the music industry, and also in the books industry, restaurants, art galleries, theater companies… anywhere people try to make their hobby their business, but still treat it as a hobby. And as long as they’re happy “doing what they love” while barely making margins, or even losing a little money each year, then they can get away with atrocious business practices for years (and then don’t understand why they lose all their business to the “big corporate chains” that do crazy things like stock what their customers like and make profits).

It’s not just on the retail end either. Plenty of small publishers (that I have worked for) are just guys with money who thought “wouldn’t it be fun to run a newspaper?” without actually caring about making books that people want to buy. It’s a shitty way to run an industry.

]]> By: Kevin Church http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/comics-marketing-the-return-of-that-retailer/2008/08/19/comment-page-1/#comment-995 Kevin Church Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:50:35 +0000 http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/?p=4092#comment-995 As Evan Dorkin said, nobody ever thought "Hey, I've got a lot of shoes! I'm going to open up a shoe store!" Comics needs more retailers and fewer hobbyists. As Evan Dorkin said, nobody ever thought “Hey, I’ve got a lot of shoes! I’m going to open up a shoe store!” Comics needs more retailers and fewer hobbyists.

]]> By: J http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/comics-marketing-the-return-of-that-retailer/2008/08/19/comment-page-1/#comment-994 J Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:35:33 +0000 http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/?p=4092#comment-994 I guess I'm just trying to figure out/rationalize why this phenomenon exists in the comics industry. As a comics fan, I like to hear people's opinions about the books that I buy and it's nice when someone's thoughts justify my reasons for not buying a book. Comics shops are often more like a place where we come in to exercise our egos, to be judgemental, to display our supreme knowledge of continuity. I think a lot of comics consumers want that kind of environment while others find it embarassing to be a part of. We should call them Comics Clubs instead of Comics Shops. I guess I’m just trying to figure out/rationalize why this phenomenon exists in the comics industry. As a comics fan, I like to hear people’s opinions about the books that I buy and it’s nice when someone’s thoughts justify my reasons for not buying a book. Comics shops are often more like a place where we come in to exercise our egos, to be judgemental, to display our supreme knowledge of continuity. I think a lot of comics consumers want that kind of environment while others find it embarassing to be a part of. We should call them Comics Clubs instead of Comics Shops.

]]> By: Kevin Church http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/comics-marketing-the-return-of-that-retailer/2008/08/19/comment-page-1/#comment-993 Kevin Church Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:07:02 +0000 http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/?p=4092#comment-993 J, you're overcomplicating things. He's using his retail newsletter as his personal whine-box to the customer base, not as a marketing tool. J, you’re overcomplicating things. He’s using his retail newsletter as his personal whine-box to the customer base, not as a marketing tool.

]]> By: J http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/comics-marketing-the-return-of-that-retailer/2008/08/19/comment-page-1/#comment-992 J Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:03:37 +0000 http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/?p=4092#comment-992 While I tend to think that this guy has not found the best forum for his thoughts about the books he sells, I do think that comics criticism has become a key component of the comics shop experience. It seems like a dumbass move to tell people not to buy something that you are trying to sell, but perhaps it also simultaneously invites folks to your store to decide for themselves if the criticism is valid, to debate the merits of the criticism itself. People get excited when someone tells them that their favorite character's books suck and this guy may be setting up his shop as a place where you can come in and have these debates about various comics nonsense. I don't read the spider-book in question but now I'm curious as to why this guy would implore me not to give him money for it, so I may have to take a walk by the shop and flip through it. If anything, he's succeeded in getting me into the store, and I might end up seeing something that I would actually like to buy while I'm there, like Youngblood or this month's copy of Wizard. While I tend to think that this guy has not found the best forum for his thoughts about the books he sells, I do think that comics criticism has become a key component of the comics shop experience. It seems like a dumbass move to tell people not to buy something that you are trying to sell, but perhaps it also simultaneously invites folks to your store to decide for themselves if the criticism is valid, to debate the merits of the criticism itself. People get excited when someone tells them that their favorite character’s books suck and this guy may be setting up his shop as a place where you can come in and have these debates about various comics nonsense. I don’t read the spider-book in question but now I’m curious as to why this guy would implore me not to give him money for it, so I may have to take a walk by the shop and flip through it. If anything, he’s succeeded in getting me into the store, and I might end up seeing something that I would actually like to buy while I’m there, like Youngblood or this month’s copy of Wizard.

]]> By: Filth Flarn Filth http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/comics-marketing-the-return-of-that-retailer/2008/08/19/comment-page-1/#comment-991 Filth Flarn Filth Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:57:47 +0000 http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/?p=4092#comment-991 This seemingly idiotic retailer must have a reason for this. Beside the spelling, which I couldn't give a high-pitched fart about, he must know what he's doing. I mean, he's in the business. He has a shop. He sells books. He has a newsletter. He cannot be a noob who was just given a comic shop yesterday. I would love to join in on the finger pointing and flagrant insulting grade school style, because I agree that he his doing a disservice to himself, but I can't without all the facts. Since I will never in my life listen to Death Cab For Cutie on purpose, even if I was offered money and dinner, could one of you figure out and tell me where this guy's shop is located? I'll call and ask him WTF is he doing. Then, I can report back here. Then we can make fun of whatever his answers will be. This seemingly idiotic retailer must have a reason for this. Beside the spelling, which I couldn’t give a high-pitched fart about, he must know what he’s doing.

I mean, he’s in the business. He has a shop. He sells books. He has a newsletter. He cannot be a noob who was just given a comic shop yesterday.

I would love to join in on the finger pointing and flagrant insulting grade school style, because I agree that he his doing a disservice to himself, but I can’t without all the facts.

Since I will never in my life listen to Death Cab For Cutie on purpose, even if I was offered money and dinner, could one of you figure out and tell me where this guy’s shop is located?

I’ll call and ask him WTF is he doing. Then, I can report back here. Then we can make fun of whatever his answers will be.

]]> By: Kevin Church http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/comics-marketing-the-return-of-that-retailer/2008/08/19/comment-page-1/#comment-990 Kevin Church Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:51:52 +0000 http://www.beaucoupkevin.com/blog/?p=4092#comment-990 <BLOCKQUOTE>Yeah, fuck people who express their opinions! They should all be lined up and shot, hung from the lampposts, each and every last one of them. And of course anyone who misspells and word or makes a typo is a complete and total idiot, because intelligent people could never possibly do such a thing. Seriously, though, you’re all dicks, and you should be ashamed of yourselves.</BLOCKQUOTE>*choke*

Yeah, fuck people who express their opinions! They should all be lined up and shot, hung from the lampposts, each and every last one of them. And of course anyone who misspells and word or makes a typo is a complete and total idiot, because intelligent people could never possibly do such a thing. Seriously, though, you’re all dicks, and you should be ashamed of yourselves.

*choke*

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