Free Comic Book Day is a promotional day in May for the comic book industry. It is a day where anyone can visit a comic books shop and pick up free comic books. At many comic books stores, there are also other events, signings, and gatherings. It is a great way to show case the comic book hobby. However, in a lot of ways, the entire industry falls short. But, it has much to say about our life as well.
I would argue that Free Comic Book Day is the biggest promotion that the entire comic book industry participates in. It is great fun for all who are apart. So why are they putting out “cheap” freebies to the masses. Too many times, I have seen terrible comics given out—to cut costs, the publishers give away lower quality materials and sometimes old reprints. Is the impression that the industry really wants to give to the world? Free Comic Book Day is more than just a giveaway day–it is an opportunity to showcase what is good about comic books, to attract readers and to foster a positive image. The publishers should give much more thought to their free offerings. It is interesting to note that most, if not all, Free Comic Book Day giveaways are not collectible–maybe that’s because they are not worth anything.
We all have opportunities to showcase our best to the world, in many different areas of life. Most of this time, we are not being paid, nor are we even remotely involved in our business. But, at the same time we are marketing ourselves. If we live terribly and cheap outside of the office; what makes others believe that when we are paid, that we will live up to higher expectations?
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This is a fresh rewrite of a post titled “Test Marketing” from January 2008
Photo from Unsplash.com