45 Why do the twins admire Igrath so much?
Indi and Digo grew up in a large family, which would avidly watch Fallguard matches, and of which one brother was a Toll Wars veteran, who served with Igrath. This made the Fallguard champion turned war hero turned Guard Captain Igrath somewhat of a household name- but he was always a distant and unattainable hero.
Indigo was teenaged when a devastating scandal rocked Anduruna. Igrath was accused of murdering his own wife, and became fugitive #1. But conspiracy theories flourished on the illicit online chats, and around dark street corners- theories that fascinated the girls, both validating their hero and affirming their suspicions of authority figures.
While others eventually succumbed to the repetition of the news broadcasts and decided to believe Igrath was an evil liar, Indi and Digo stubbornly clung to their convictions. That not only was Igrath a hero, but a martyr.
Plot Vault encompasses the details, but when their career finally brought them into contact with Igrath, it was literally meeting a childhood hero. He was everything they had built him up in their mind to be, with one addition- he was also vulnerable. Blinded and alone. They took it upon themselves to rebuild their icon, and never settle for anything less.
35 Are there any strong lvl 6 powers that left a mark in the andurunan history?
Probably many that I haven't made up yet- and one for certain in the year 1201. The details are currently Plot Vault.
33 Do Indi and Digo have identical voices, or do they sound different from one another?
They have a slightly differing cadence and inflection to their speaking patterns, but the voices can be identical. They're also expert at mimicking the other, when trying to ensure their counterpart gets the blame for something, or teasing anyone who thinks they have 'em figured out.
28 Does Namah scream like a real gecko?
Not really, but she does scream. If she heard a gecko scream, that would probably become a goal for her pretty fast.
27 What are the characters birthdays?
We haven't previously set exact dates, but we'll make up a few for the non-Plot-Vault mains:
Lilith- Martius 3, 1212
Namah- Novemberis 6, 1213
Bast- Apru 5, 1211
Igrath- Januarius 8, 1180
Scinter- Maius 12, 1181
Tinsel- Februarius 7, 1193
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Friday, July 13, 2018
Guest Blog: How to Create an Amazing Brand on a Micro Budget
Many thanks to Ashley for reaching out and offering to share a guest blog with us, despite my e-mail reply lag. Enjoy her article!
Startup companies have it rough in terms of competing with already well-established
conglomerates in their industries. That’s what makes branding such an effective tool; it
conglomerates in their industries. That’s what makes branding such an effective tool; it
separates you from the competition and gives your business an identity.
However, there’s a common misconception that proper branding requires tons of overhead.
However, there’s a common misconception that proper branding requires tons of overhead.
The truth is, you don’t need a big budget to craft a successful brand. In fact, the critical
aspects that go into creating your image don’t require money at all! Whether you’re just
starting your business or are looking to reshape its identity, follow these six tips for success.
aspects that go into creating your image don’t require money at all! Whether you’re just
starting your business or are looking to reshape its identity, follow these six tips for success.
How to Create an Amazing Brand on a Micro Budget in Six Steps
- Know Your Customer Base
- Choose Your Words Wisely
- Tell Your Story
- Utilize the Right Content
- Invest in Some Swag
- Enlist Influencers
1.Know Your Customer Base
The word “niche” gets thrown around a lot, but it’s a lot more important than you might think.
Understanding your target audience and keeping the focus on them is a vital aspect to any
businesses success these days. You need to know what they want, what they think, and
how they like to spend their money.
Understanding your target audience and keeping the focus on them is a vital aspect to any
businesses success these days. You need to know what they want, what they think, and
how they like to spend their money.
Then, all you have to do is give them what they want. Shape your brand identity around them,
in the look and operations of your online business. You’ll give be able to build an instant
connection between your customer base and your brand, which is something that big
corporations just can’t achieve.
in the look and operations of your online business. You’ll give be able to build an instant
connection between your customer base and your brand, which is something that big
corporations just can’t achieve.
2. Choose Your Words Wisely
Large business have the funds to craft multi-faceted branding strategies, but your business
can be just as effective by taking advantage of key messaging. Ideally, you’ll want to craft
one key message that communicates everything potential customers need to know about
your brand, and have all your other communication complement that core message.
can be just as effective by taking advantage of key messaging. Ideally, you’ll want to craft
one key message that communicates everything potential customers need to know about
your brand, and have all your other communication complement that core message.
Take the time to consider what it is your business does for customers. Are you eco-friendly,
or sourcing your materials sustainably? Does your personality shine through in your creations?
What sets your product or service apart from similar ones? Most importantly, how do you want
your brand to communicate with your audience?
or sourcing your materials sustainably? Does your personality shine through in your creations?
What sets your product or service apart from similar ones? Most importantly, how do you want
your brand to communicate with your audience?
Don’t overdo it. Providing your audience with too much information at once can overwhelm them.
Keep things as short as possible while relaying key information, and spread out details into
individual social media posts and newsletters. Take the time to ensure that your social media
posts and product descriptions all match your tone.
Keep things as short as possible while relaying key information, and spread out details into
individual social media posts and newsletters. Take the time to ensure that your social media
posts and product descriptions all match your tone.
3. Tell Your Story
The color and design of your logo might be important, but the story behind it is what attracts your
customer base. Think about why you want to start this business in the first place, then try to
incorporate that into your logo through messaging, colors and any other way possible. Your story
tells customers something important about your business, giving personality to your brand and
helping clientele identify with it.
customer base. Think about why you want to start this business in the first place, then try to
incorporate that into your logo through messaging, colors and any other way possible. Your story
tells customers something important about your business, giving personality to your brand and
helping clientele identify with it.
Don’t be afraid to have an “About Us” page or simple blog on your website that spells it out for
your customer base. This can be intimidating, but if you think of it as a way to hone in in your
message, it will actually be very simple to write this copy. This step can give context to your brand,
and increase buyers’ trust in your online store.
your customer base. This can be intimidating, but if you think of it as a way to hone in in your
message, it will actually be very simple to write this copy. This step can give context to your brand,
and increase buyers’ trust in your online store.
4. Utilize the Right Content
Whether in video form or blog posts, content marketing is king. Sharing relevant content with your
audience builds a stronger brand while encouraging users to connect with your business. It sets
you up as an authority in your niche, providing value to potential customers at the same time as
it draws traffic to your site and gets eyes on your product.
audience builds a stronger brand while encouraging users to connect with your business. It sets
you up as an authority in your niche, providing value to potential customers at the same time as
it draws traffic to your site and gets eyes on your product.
If you’re short on ideas, consider a guide to how your products work, or a few videos that help
explain your mission and purpose. Keep the focus on education and entertainment for the greatest
success here. Be personable, concise, and think about how you can relate or connect with your
audience.
explain your mission and purpose. Keep the focus on education and entertainment for the greatest
success here. Be personable, concise, and think about how you can relate or connect with your
audience.
5. Invest in Some Swag
Branded products are an inexpensive way to give people what they want: cool stuff! Who doesn’t
want a t-shirt, coffee mug, or stickers with cool imagery? Promotional items for your business can
really help spread the word, but also solidify a more personal relationship with customers and your
brand. If you’re starting an online clothing store, this can be a perfect chance to show off your styles
and build some buzz around your brand.
want a t-shirt, coffee mug, or stickers with cool imagery? Promotional items for your business can
really help spread the word, but also solidify a more personal relationship with customers and your
brand. If you’re starting an online clothing store, this can be a perfect chance to show off your styles
and build some buzz around your brand.
Don’t be afraid to have fun and get creative with your branding here. You’ll want to create something
that you can share with customers and collaborators, that they will want to use often, and that will
spark conversation about your online business.
that you can share with customers and collaborators, that they will want to use often, and that will
spark conversation about your online business.
6. Enlist Influencers
Influencer marketing is right up there with content marketing in importance. It allows your business
to collaborate with someone who already has a well-established audience to give your promotions
a boost. There will always be a small group of influencers within your niche that understand your
audience, and they can help you create valuable content that reaches a broader range of people.
to collaborate with someone who already has a well-established audience to give your promotions
a boost. There will always be a small group of influencers within your niche that understand your
audience, and they can help you create valuable content that reaches a broader range of people.
It’s worth trying, especially at the start. You might even find another eCommerce business just
getting started, that would be willing to promote your products so long as you promote theirs.
This requires minimal effort, yet effectively increases your network and potential revenue.
getting started, that would be willing to promote your products so long as you promote theirs.
This requires minimal effort, yet effectively increases your network and potential revenue.
You don’t need a hefty budget to create an amazing, identifiable, and trustworthy brand image.
Remember to keep the focus on connecting with your audience, and you can’t go wrong.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, and refer back to these tips anytime to help get your
creative juices flowing.
Remember to keep the focus on connecting with your audience, and you can’t go wrong.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, and refer back to these tips anytime to help get your
creative juices flowing.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Q&A 9
35 What kind of ships does Anduruna have? Sailing or are they all spring powered? What's the largest they get? How far do they travel out?
I haven't developed much in the way of specific ships yet- Grunn's old ship is what we've seen the most of, and has an old spring-powered wheel system, in addition to sail rigging. Some boats have spring powered props or water wheels, some use windmills to wind their springs, some use good old fashioned oars, and some would use pure sails. Some, like Grunn's whaling ship, use a mix. We're going to see more ships in more detail before too much longer.
31 Where do you guys get your inspiration for all the different stripper outfits and clothing?
Stripper clothing is easy, just subtract and you're done! A lot of the more saucy outfits come from Whip's inspiration bin. I like to make up variations on coats and other 'normal' clothing as well. We've had a couple readers create real-world wardrobe accessories based on commissioned art.
33 How did the orphans feel about Paige, and how did they react to her death?
Paige was generally liked, and the orphans are feeling disconcerted about her death: http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com/GNSaga.php?pg=352
http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com/GNSaga.php?pg=391
Their reactions are tempered by the fact that Randy is directly manipulating their impression of what happened, and instructing them what to think about it. Plus they have no reason to believe they're immune from a similar fate. Dealing with their own problems means ostentatious displays of grief are somewhat of a luxury.
32 We've seen the houses in Anduruna but with how diverse DKs are, i was wondering if there were some aquatic habitations, underground ones or
There are some underground habitations in Anduruna, especially in the mining areas and the foundations of the larger towers. Some congested areas of the city built up and down at the same time.
Underwater dwellings are possible elsewhere, but don't factor in to the general civic infrastructure of Anduruna.
23 How tall are or the characters in feet?
An old ref sheet provides the answer! https://www.deviantart.com/dreamkeepers/art/Volume-1-Scale-Sheet-143207864
Newer references may have shifted the relative proportions of characters somewhat, but I think we can peg Tinsel at right around 6 feet for a solid reference point.
I haven't developed much in the way of specific ships yet- Grunn's old ship is what we've seen the most of, and has an old spring-powered wheel system, in addition to sail rigging. Some boats have spring powered props or water wheels, some use windmills to wind their springs, some use good old fashioned oars, and some would use pure sails. Some, like Grunn's whaling ship, use a mix. We're going to see more ships in more detail before too much longer.
31 Where do you guys get your inspiration for all the different stripper outfits and clothing?
Stripper clothing is easy, just subtract and you're done! A lot of the more saucy outfits come from Whip's inspiration bin. I like to make up variations on coats and other 'normal' clothing as well. We've had a couple readers create real-world wardrobe accessories based on commissioned art.
33 How did the orphans feel about Paige, and how did they react to her death?
Paige was generally liked, and the orphans are feeling disconcerted about her death: http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com/GNSaga.php?pg=352
http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com/GNSaga.php?pg=391
Their reactions are tempered by the fact that Randy is directly manipulating their impression of what happened, and instructing them what to think about it. Plus they have no reason to believe they're immune from a similar fate. Dealing with their own problems means ostentatious displays of grief are somewhat of a luxury.
32 We've seen the houses in Anduruna but with how diverse DKs are, i was wondering if there were some aquatic habitations, underground ones or
There are some underground habitations in Anduruna, especially in the mining areas and the foundations of the larger towers. Some congested areas of the city built up and down at the same time.
Underwater dwellings are possible elsewhere, but don't factor in to the general civic infrastructure of Anduruna.
23 How tall are or the characters in feet?
An old ref sheet provides the answer! https://www.deviantart.com/dreamkeepers/art/Volume-1-Scale-Sheet-143207864
Newer references may have shifted the relative proportions of characters somewhat, but I think we can peg Tinsel at right around 6 feet for a solid reference point.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Anthrocon Wow!
A magnificent weekend, and I noticed something unexpected.
But firstly, thank you to everyone who came to visit us! From veteran comic creators to familiar readers and new faces, everyone was kind and engaging and made the weekend incredible.
Also thanks to Geo for manning the table with us, helping promote his Wayward Astronomer novel. Our table sold out of every copy we brought.
I thought raising commission prices would slow things down on that front, but NOPE. I had a pile of fun ideas to work on, and just wrapped up our take-homes yesterday.
We also sold through every Plush Whip that we brought to the table, Prelude Collections, Vivid Sketchbooks- and that brings me to the new phenomenon I noticed.
New stoppers.
Readers who are into comics typically stop and check out our table- which is why we've grown. But we were getting new stoppers this Anthrocon.
Some people aren't initially into comics as much. They would be strolling past- but their gaze would freeze on the Dreamkeepers Wayward Astronomer novel, and they'd dial in. Or they'd look past the novel, past the comics- but notice the Skirmish prototype game box, and be pulled in.
Speaking of which, some of the veteran readers & mods demoed Skirmish in the game room, and I hear it attracted a great deal of interest.
So my overall realization was that Dreamkeepers really is growing into something greater than the sum of its parts. What began as a simple webcomic is emerging as a fully fledged franchise, with a concept robust enough to viably expand to new mediums. And that expansion is having a snowball effect.
I'm looking forward to mailing Skirmish to our backers later this month, looking forward to continuing Volume 5 work, and looking forward to seeing where Vivid takes us all next!
But firstly, thank you to everyone who came to visit us! From veteran comic creators to familiar readers and new faces, everyone was kind and engaging and made the weekend incredible.
Also thanks to Geo for manning the table with us, helping promote his Wayward Astronomer novel. Our table sold out of every copy we brought.
I thought raising commission prices would slow things down on that front, but NOPE. I had a pile of fun ideas to work on, and just wrapped up our take-homes yesterday.
We also sold through every Plush Whip that we brought to the table, Prelude Collections, Vivid Sketchbooks- and that brings me to the new phenomenon I noticed.
New stoppers.
Readers who are into comics typically stop and check out our table- which is why we've grown. But we were getting new stoppers this Anthrocon.
Some people aren't initially into comics as much. They would be strolling past- but their gaze would freeze on the Dreamkeepers Wayward Astronomer novel, and they'd dial in. Or they'd look past the novel, past the comics- but notice the Skirmish prototype game box, and be pulled in.
Speaking of which, some of the veteran readers & mods demoed Skirmish in the game room, and I hear it attracted a great deal of interest.
So my overall realization was that Dreamkeepers really is growing into something greater than the sum of its parts. What began as a simple webcomic is emerging as a fully fledged franchise, with a concept robust enough to viably expand to new mediums. And that expansion is having a snowball effect.
I'm looking forward to mailing Skirmish to our backers later this month, looking forward to continuing Volume 5 work, and looking forward to seeing where Vivid takes us all next!
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