Author: Tim Ludy

Episode 66: Creating a Cosplay Book with Zonbi’s Workshop

Episode 66: Creating a Cosplay Book with Zonbi’s Workshop

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Grace Herbert from Zonbi’s Workshop, cosplayer, YouTuber, and author of “The Cosplay Handbook: A Book of Costume and Prop Making Techniques”. Zonbi shares her experience from nearly 15 years of prop and costume making in over 150 YouTube tutorials. She was also a contestant on SyFy’s Cosplay Melee along with former guests KnowOne’s Designs and Marty LeGrow.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • 3:00 How Zonbi got started in cosplay and YouTube
  • 5:00 Monetizing a cosplay brand
  • 8:00 Writing “The Cosplay Handbook”
  • 10:00 The book publishing process
  • 15:00 Growing the Zonbi YouTube Channel
  • 20:30 Engaging with the cosplay community
  • 22:00 Filming SyFy’s Cosplay Melee
  • 28:00 Promoting Zonbi’s Workshop

Head to Zonbisworkshop.com to learn more and follow Zonbi’s Workshop on YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 65: Publishing D&D Books with Sly Flourish

Episode 65: Publishing D&D Books with Sly Flourish

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Mike Shea aka Sly Flourish, the author and publisher of The Lazy Dungeon Master, Sly Flourish’s Fantastic Adventures, and many other Dungeons and Dragons adventures and resource books. His books, blog and YouTube channel provide resources for Fifth Edition Dungeons and Dragons to help build the better D&D dungeon master.

His newest book, Ruins of the Grendleroot, provides a series of Fifth Edition adventures in an undermountain setting that can be easily added to any established setting or homebrewed world.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

  • 5:00 Getting starting with D&D book publishing
  • 15:00 Scheduling work around a day job
  • 20:00 What goes into Publishing books
  • 33:00 Kickstarting book projects
  • 45:00 Finding your own model for success vs following others
  • 55:00 Managing the stress level of your side hustle

Learn more about Mike at SlyFlourish.com

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 64: Comic Book Kickstarters with George Vega Art

Episode 64: Comic Book Kickstarters with George Vega Art

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is George Vega, illustrator, comic book artist and creator of The World of M. This new comics project was recently funded through Kickstarter and has just released the first issue. World of M is a steampunk, fantasy adventure story set in a world where machines, magic and mayhem are the order of the day.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we discuss George’s journey as an illustrator and artist, working comic conventions, and his strategy for marketing the World of M Kickstarter.

You can read the first 9 pages of World of M and order issue #1 at TheWorldofM.net and be sure to follow George Vega Art on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 63: Performing a Year in Review

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Happy New Year Entreprenerds!

The new year is a great time to look back at your past year, re-evaluate your goals, and set a plan for the next year of your geek business. In this special episode, I walk you through what I do to perform a Year in Review and talk about the specific accomplishments and goals for The Entreprenerd Podcast in the coming year.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode I discuss:

  • The benefits of an annual Year in Review
  • Why you should list out your accomplishments
  • Setting and adjusting goals regularly
  • Scheduling time for things important to you
  • Removing negative habits and influences
  • My progress this year in Podcasting, Blogging, Cosplaying, Comic Conventions and goals for 2020

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 62: Coaching for Geeks

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Robin Bates from Coaching for Geeks, a community and resource for geeks looking to improve their business, health, relationships and all-around life. The Coaching for Geeks Facebook community brings together geeks to offer advice and encouragement as you work towards your geek goals. Robin is a life coach, mentor and host of a number of podcasts, webinars, convention panels and more.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

  • 4:00 How Coaching for Geeks got started
  • 10:00 Creating buyer personas – your ideal customer
  • 13:00 Pitching panels to conventions
  • 17:30 Coaching for Geeks Mentorship Program
  • 22:00 Importance of consistency
  • 26:30 Confidence to go after your goals
  • 35:30 Growing your audience through collaborations and guest appearances
  • 40:30 Future plans for Coaching for Geeks
  • 46:00 Shy kids don’t get sweets

Be sure to join the Coaching for Geeks community on Facebook and check out all the great resources at CoachingforGeeks.com

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 61: Monetizing a YouTube Channel with How to Be a Great GM

Episode 61: Monetizing a YouTube Channel with How to Be a Great GM

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Guy Sclanders, the host of How to Be a Great GM, a YouTube channel focusing on providing GM tips, guides and insights to improve roleplaying sessions as a game master and player character. He is also the Host and Dungeon Master for Wizards of the Coast’s live play Dungeons and Dragons show Descent Into Avernus Blood War and Ghosts of Saltmarsh Call of the Kraken. His second book, The Complete Guide to Nautical Campaigns, just completed its Kickstarter run at 259% funding.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we discuss:

  • 3:00 How long it took to see success with YouTube
  • 9:00 Making YouTube a full-time job
  • 12:00 The Complete Guide to Creating Epic Campaigns and The Complete Guide to Nautical Campaigns books
  • 16:30 Launching a book through Kickstarter
  • 32:00 Evaluating and refocusing their projects
  • 37:00 Importance of doing what you love
  • 43:00 What monetization strategies haven’t worked
  • 56:00 Getting in front of new audiences
  • 1:01:00 Competition in the new YouTube space
  • 1:06:00 Best starting video and audio equipment
  • 1:11:00 Only create things you would buy

Be sure to follow How to Be a Great GM on YouTube and find Guy everywhere else at GreatGameMaster.com

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 60: Breaking Into the Comics Industry with Heather Antos

Episode 60: Breaking Into the Comics Industry with Heather Antos

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Heather Antos, Editor at Valiant and Image. Her past work includes Marvel and Star Wars where she helped create characters such as Gwenpool and Dr. Aphra. She also regularly blogs and teaches other comic book creators how to improve their work, grow their network and launch projects on Kickstarter.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we discuss:

  • 2:15 Getting started in the comics industry
  • 9:30 Importance of building a body of work and putting in the effort
  • 12:00 How to independently produce as a comics editor
  • 15:00 Networking on social media and creating #SignalBoostSunday
  • 18:00 Growing your audience and building connections
  • 22:00 Launching a comic on Kickstarter
  • 25:00 Future plans
  • 26:30 Importance of being your authentic self

You can hear more from Heather on our Fan Expo Boston Panel: Turn Your Geeky Passion Into an Entreprenerd Business

Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter @heatherantos and at heatherantos.com

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 59: Building a Cosplay Prop and Costume Business with Givewave Studios

Episode 59: Building a Cosplay Prop and Costume Business with Givewave Studios

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Castro Yves from Givewave Studios, a prop and costume making studio offering tutorials, patterns, kits and commissions. His work has won cosplay contests and he is the Cosplay Shop Captain at Lowell Makes, a collaborative maker space in Lowell, MA.

You can find Castro in Episode 57: Fan Expo Boston Panel – Turn Your Geeky Passion Into An Entreprenerd Business

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we discuss:

  • 5:00 Getting started in cosplay
  • 10:00 Tips for pricing work
  • 14:00 Lowell Makes studio space
  • 22:00 Marketing and finding new clients
  • 26:00 Offering different product tiers for different budgets and needs
  • 30:00 Creating cosplay tutorials for YouTube
  • 37:30 Future plans for Givewave Studios
  • 41:00 Don’t be discouraged because someone has done something before you

Be sure to follow Givewave Studios on Instagram and YouTube and check out his shop at GivewaveStudios.com If you’re in the Lowell or Boston area, come by Cosplay Fridays every Friday 6pm-2am at Lowell Makes.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 58: Organizing Live D&D Events with The Role Initiative

Episode 58: Organizing Live D&D Events with The Role Initiative

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guests this week are The Role Initiative. Started at PAX East 2016, The Role Initiative is a non-profit that organizes Dungeons and Dragons Adventurers League events for over a dozen conventions and many more game stores.

At PAX Unplugged 2018 they organized over 150 Dungeon Masters and volunteers. TRI also provides their own Convention Created Content adventure modules for a unique experience at each event. They also work with companies like D&DBeyond and Acquisitions Incorporated to improve their content and experiences. I talk with Vice President, Deb Berlin; Director and CCC Coordinator, Eric Boaen; and Operations Coordinator, Garrett Colón.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

  • 5:00 How the team got into D&D and how The Role Initiative got started
  • 11:00 Organizing Adventurer’s League events
  • 13:00 Learning how to handle different styles of gaming conventions
  • 16:30 Coordinating over 100 volunteers
  • 19:30 Tactics for recruiting volunteers
  • 24:00 Staying active in the community
  • 27:00 Producing Convention Created Content D&D adventure modules
  • 33:00 Working with D&D Beyond
  • 35:30 Future plans for The Role Initiative

Be sure to visit TheRoleInitiative.org and follow on Twitter @_RoleInitiative, @DM_GMC, @TheBearlinWall, and @Zandvor.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 57: Fan Expo Boston Panel – Turn Your Geeky Passion Into an Entreprenerd Business

Episode 57: Fan Expo Boston Panel – Turn Your Geeky Passion Into an Entreprenerd Business

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings entreprenerds!

If you missed our panel at Fan Expo Boston last weekend, we have the recording for everyone to get some great info on building their geek brand!

Why was Wayne Enterprises so successful? How did Ollivander make fine wands since 382 BC? If you’ve ever wanted to start a business, blog, podcast or other brand around your nerdy passion, this is the panel for you! Our group of geeky entrepreneurs will share the marketing, social media and branding tips needed to turn your geeky passion into a real business.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

Check out all our Boston Comic Con panelists:

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!