In today’s episode of Iron Age Marketing, host Nicky P chats with guest Arvid Nelson about his journey from music to comics and ultimately to fantasy writing. Arvid shares his experiences, getting kicked out of a band in college, forming a comic book club, and diving into the world of publishing. He reflects on the highs and lows of creating the comic Rex Mundy, including a crushing rejection from Image Comics that led to a breakdown in an airport, followed by eventual success. Arvid talks about his passion for history, mythology, and world-building, which has shaped his current project, The Band of the Crow. This fantasy novel, rooted in Indo-European linguistics and pre-Christian traditions, has been 20 years in the making, and Arvid’s dedication to the story remains as strong as ever.

Nicky P and Arvid continue by diving into the intricacies of marketing for creative projects and the intersection of art and commerce. Nicky P emphasizes the importance of having a solid system in place highlighting the need for an effective lead magnet to attract and retain the right audience, noting that it’s more beneficial to focus on engaged followers rather than a large, uninterested crowd. Arvid shares insights from his experience with webcomics, specifically discussing the success of “Brother Matthew” as a lead magnet that built a loyal audience for “Rex Mundy.” He reflects on the value of consistent content creation, even when it involves working for free, as it helps keep creators relevant and engaged with their audience. Arvid even recounts a pivotal moment when he discovered his comic had sold out in a New York City store, attributing this success to the free content strategy. The conversation naturally touches on the importance of building a network and audience well before a project is complete. Both Nicky P & Arvid appear to agree that waiting until a project is finished to start marketing is a big issue, as maintaining visibility and regular communication with your audience is crucial. Arvid discusses how brand recognition and high-profile endorsements, such as interest from Johnny Depp’s production company, can significantly boost a project’s success.