Feb 05
Good morning,
Well here it is! #500! This week’s strips were a metaphor for how Rick’s webcomic experience has been – more specifically mine. The last two years have been an egotistical roller coaster ride with more downs than ups, but overall a fantastic experience. With that in mind, if you’re interested, I’ll explain…
I broke out in March of 2008 with a vision of conquering the comics world – just like Rick’s press conference in Monday’s strip.
I quickly realized that the artwork was not what I was envisioning in my head. Plus attracting an audience was much harder than I had imagined. While I continued to develop the comic, my unrealistic dreams of owning the comics world overnight justifiably crashed. Just like Rick in Tuesday’s comic. The first responder is symbolic of the various people who have offered encouragement and inspiration to keep going.
With my experience in advertising and marketing, I was hopeful that I would find a way to break through the webcomic industry’s struggles to find a workable business plan. Ultimately, I spent money advertising and I’m confident that with the banners I put together it was enough to gather a lot of interest – and click thrus – with 25 thousand pageviews in June of 2009. The problem was that despite improvements I made in the artwork, the strength of the writing didn’t keep pace. People were coming to the site, but not coming back. In Wednesday’s webcomic, Rick loses his sponsors – that were never really sponsors – much like my mindset of making a big splash was causing me to lose opportunities at building sensible revenue streams.
So now, I’ve kind of rebooted the comic. What was once going to be about Rick and his life in a cartoon world, we learned it was more interesting to work with shorter storylines, and build less of a barrier of entry into learning about Rick and enjoying the comic. Concentrating on the writing and developing the new story theme of Rick being Super Stickman and not knowing it has slowed the growth – just like Rick’s experience in yesterday’s strip. The valuable thing to take away here is that he finished the race. Leading to today’s finale – Rick has all pistons firing…
Number 500 symbolizes everything I’ve learned over the last two years. Despite how fast I think I’m going, how much I’m pushing the comic to grow, I’m still just driving a wagon until I invest the time and foster the growth.
Still here? Wanna head out with me while I look to make another 500 comics? One thing is for sure. I’m taking the first 500 and using them as a positive learning experience. I’ve had a lot of fun hanging with Rick, I’ve met some great people, made some new friends and learned that people you’ve never met can help pick you up and help you through some of your most trying times. I’m thankful for all of that and I appreciate the time it takes for people to include Rick into their lives.
That’s all for me today. Hope we’ll see you Monday for #501 – it’s gonna be GREAT!!
Thanks for dropping by!
Ken
Congrats on 500! Woo! Hoo!
Thank you sir!
#500 is awesome!! I love the metaphors that took place this week, thanks for sharing those with us in your post today. I love the way this played out, I had a back of my mind thought that’s what this might be leading towards but wasn’t sure, sort of like Calvin’s Space Ranger antics that usually had him sitting in a wagon or a box. I was purusing the archives yesterday and man this strip has come a long ways. Congratulations on #500 and l’m looking forward to the next 500 that lie ahead.
As always you do a great job on this strip, with the artwork and the story, I’ve been enjoying Rick for quite a while now, and this is one strip I will enjoy until the wheels run off of it like Rick’s wagon.
Don’t forget there’s a 2PM CST Tator Tot Eating Contest in the Twitter Quad for all the die hard Rick fans. Congrats on #500 Ken, I take my hat off to ya.
Thank you, thank you Todd. I figure you’ve been around for more than 300 of them so I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather celebrate with!
As always – thanks for your feedback!!
Congratulations on 500 it’s awesome
Thanks Anthony! Appreciate it and hope to see you back!!
Woooooaaa! 500 for the Stick Man!
Congratulations Ken! That is a very nice milestone!
Now we have to “stick” around for #1000!
I’ll be celebrating with 500 beers – I’ll let you know if I run into any Drunken Fools!
congrats on 500! best comic strip i’ve ever read! lol @ rick’s face in the last one.
Thanks Andy! How much do I owe you for the compliment?? Haha!
500 bitches! Its bigger than indy and NASCAR together. And BTW its only half as old as Drab is
Daaang Raul. What’s up with that?
LOL, god this strip sums up my life. Proof that my imagination, much like Calvin’s, is soooo much better than my real life.
Congrats on 500, a major achievement! Your dedication is inspirational, I hope to get Z&F there eventually too… just wish I had more time to pump out 3-5 a week instead of a measly 2. Curse that stupid day job and it’s reliable paychecks!
P.S. Nice job on the Taladega Nights parody, heh
Thanks Dawn! I think. Wait. Did you Freudian slip Calvin in for Rick? Hahaha!
Five strips a week is taxing and I hear you about the day job and reliable, but ooooh so nice paychecks!
Woohoo #500! I’ll be there in a few years, maybe… Quite impressive.
I’m sure you will Dan – your comic is great!
Very funny end to the racing career story arc, Ken! Congratulations on making 500 episodes of Rick the Stick, that’s a huge milestone worth celebrating. Whoo!
Thanks Rob! Much appreciated!
Keep it up! You’re quite good! Q
Thanks Q – appreciate the feedback – ESPECIALLY since it’s positive! HAHA!
500 I might get to one day. 25,000 page views in a month…probably not. haha
Great accomplishment on both accounts though.
Thanks! Much appreciated Bearman!
FINALLY AT THE BIG 5-0-0! And it’s pretty awesome! I love all the angles and sound effects. Can’t wait for 1000!
Thank you Steph – and thanks for coming around! I really appreciate your posts!
My pleasure!
I think that is the best 1 u every made also i like how u keep it going i cant wait intill mondays 1 see u later
Kyle – thanks brothaman! Hope everything’s good up there! Your avatar Cletus always cracks me up!
From all of us at NickandDooie.com congratulations on 500!