Category: Podcast

Episode 36: Hogwarts Running Club

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Brian from Hogwarts Running Club, a non-profit which organizes Harry Potter themed virtual races which have raised over $1.9 million since 2014. Random Tuesday, Inc., a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is now the parent organization of HRC, Whovian Running Club for Dr. Who fans and Chilton Running Club for Gilmore Girls fans.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we discuss:

  • 3:00 Hogwarts Running Club Origin Story
  • 9:00 How and why they expanded to include Whovian Running Club and Chilton Running Club
  • 15:00 How Random Tuesday chooses charities to support
  • 19:30 Creating products like race medals and t-shirts and working with third-party vendors
  • 24:30 Working with brand trademarks and licensing
  • 28:00 Connecting to the Harry Potter community and building the HRC Community
  • 39:00 Attending Harry Potter, Dr. Who and comic conventions
  • 45:00 The Harry Potter Legacy and how fandoms expand
  • 53:30 Importance of embracing your passion and geekiness

Here are the links to what we discuss:

Make sure to follow Hogwarts Running Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram;

Whovian Running Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram;

and Chilton Running Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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 35: Nerd Out

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Michelle Jensen from Nerd Out, a resource for finding friends and doing cool stuff in the fandom community. First started in 2015, the Nerd Out Calendar was created when Michelle found it difficult to find information about nerd and comic con related events in her area. It has since grown to include events in dozens of cities and has brought together a community of thousands.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • 3:00 How Nerd Out got started
  • 16:30 Tips for promoting live events
  • 18:30 Building and engaging with the Nerd Out Squad community
  • 23:30 Contests
  • 29:00 Starting the Nerding Out blogs and finding what content works for your brand
  • 31:30 How they are growing Nerd Out
  • 36:00 WonderCon Meetup with Espionage Cosmetics
  • 38:00 Importance of planning and setting goals for your brand
  • 40:00 Getting support from the nerd community – Facebook group

Be sure to check out Nerd Out at NerdOutApp.com and follow them @NerdOutApp on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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 34 – Comic Book Author B.J. Mendelson

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greeting Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is B.J. Mendelson, writer of the new comic book Vengeance, Nevada. B.J. is best known for his cult classic book, Social Media is Bullshit and has also recently released a new book, Privacy: And How We Get It Back. He applies his nearly two decades of experience in the marketing and social media industries to promoting his independent comic book, which is now available on Comixology.

This is a great discussion for independent comic creators and publishers or anyone trying to grow an audience around their creative project, whether it is a book, film, podcast, YouTube channel or other.

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher or YouTube:

In this episode we discuss:

  • 3:00 How B.J. got started in writing and social media
  • 7:00 The campaign for Vengeance, Nevada
  • 12:00 Finding your audience at comic conventions
  • 15:00 Creating an independent comic
  • 23:00 Choosing a slower publishing schedule
  • 26:30 Working with Comixology
  • 30:00 Creating velocity and virality during the launch of your book, show, video, etc.
  • 33:00 Applying social media marketing to comic book publishing
  • 43:00 Simplifying the pitch for your comic book or other creative projects

You can read Vengeance, Nevada on Comixology at VengeanceNevada.com

Also be sure to follow B.J. Mendelson at BJMendelson.com and on Twitter @BJMendelson

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 33: Superhero Strength

Posted on by Tim Ludy

episode 33 Superhero Strength

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is James Buckley from Superhero Strength. James is a bodybuilder, personal trainer and host of the Superhero Strength Podcast which interviews the trainers of movie superheroes like Ben Affleck, Hugh Jackman, Robert Downey Jr. and more. This is a great episode for podcasters, bodybuilders and members of the Comicconfit family.

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, or on YouTube:

In this episode we discuss:

  • 3:00 Superhero Strength origin story
  • 13:30 How to get comfortable podcasting and interviewing
  • 18:00 How to conduct great interviews
  • 20:00 Connecting with people for interviews
  • 23:40 Rise of actor transformations for superhero roles
  • 26:30 How the Superhero Strength Podcast has helped his online coaching business
  • 30:00 Future plans for Superhero Strength
  • 32:00 How the pop culture, cosplay and fitness communities are growing
  • 34:00 Who will be the fittest superhero of 2018
  • 38:00 Importance of being yourself and talking about your passions

Here are the links to everything we discuss:

Be sure to follow Superhero Strength at SuperheroStrength.com.au and on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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 32: Boxes In Action

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greeting Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Chris from Boxes In Action. Founded in 2011 they are the Original Custom Comic Box. You no longer have to store your comic books in flimsy white boxes. Boxes In Action provides display worthy boxes with designs from your favorite comic book characters, created with some amazing artists.

In this episode, Chris talks about how he develops relationships with comic book publishers and artists, how he got his boxes into comic book stores, how comic cons help him meet people, and the importance of hustle and perseverance.

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, or on YouTube:

In this episode we discuss:

  • 4:00 Origin story of Boxes In Action
  • 7:00 Sourcing and creating the first Box prototype
  • 13:00 Working with artists and coming up with box design ideas
  • 18:30 Getting the word out through word-of-mouth and reaching out to influencers
  • 23:30 Getting licensing deals with comic publishers
  • 30:30 Meeting artists, publishers and fans at comic conventions
  • 36:00 Getting distribution and placement in comic book shops
  • 41:00 Future of Boxes In Action
  • 46:00 Why you should persevere through resistance and naysayers

Some links for you:

Be sure to check out Boxes In Action at BoxesInAction.com and follow them on Facebook, 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 31: Quest of the Muscle Nerd

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greeting Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Matthew Young, director of the film Quest of the Muscle Nerd, which chronicles the first ever bodybuilding/cosplay competition. The feature length documentary follows the competitions founder and two competitors through their physical training, costume construction and event preparation, culminating in the first ever Muscle Nerd Competition, held at Dragon Con 2017.

The film aims to tell the story of what it is to be a nerd and how the competitors and event coordinator overcome personal struggles to achieve goals and become something more. You can view the first trailer for Quest of the Muscle Nerd below.

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, or on YouTube:

In this discussion, Matt and I talk about:

  • 4:00 Working with Dragon Con
  • 5:00 Why nerdom and fitness aren’t mutually exclusive – avoiding reverse discrimination
  • 8:30 Defining what a nerd is
  • 14:30 How cosplay and bodybuilding serve as backdrops for a more personal story
  • 19:30 Logistics and challenges of filming a live competition at Dragon Con
  • 25:00 How the Muscle Nerd competition fits in at Dragon Con
  • 30:00 Planning the 2018 documentary
  • 33:15 Process of editing the documentary
  • 36:00 Promoting Quest of the Muscle Nerd and generating interest through the teaser trailer
  • 41:22 Stories in the nerd community
  • 42:30 Advice for first time filmmakers

You can view the trailer for Quest of the Muscle Nerd below and be sure to check out more about the film at QuestoftheMuscleNerd.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

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 30: Late to the Party

Posted on by Tim Ludy

episode 30: late to the party

Greetings EntrepreNerds!

My guests this week are Robert and Vanessa from Late to the Party, a fellowship of movie fans that came together through time and space to get in on the online “party” through reaction videos, discussions, reviews and vlogs.

After creating reaction videos for the Collider Movie Trivia Schmoedown they became part of the competition and have competed multiple times. They recently won the Biggest Upset of 2017 in the 2017 Movie Trivia Schmoedown Awards.

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, or YouTube…that’s right, this podcast is also special because it is the first episode available on YouTube!

In this episode we discuss:

  • 4:20 How Late to the Party got started
  • 14:20 Tips for video lighting, filming and editing
  • 16:20 Tips for cameras and video editing software
  • 20:05 How their channel content has evolved
  • 21:20 Getting over the awkwardness of taking videos and pictures in public and at conventions
  • 27:50 Focusing their videos around the things they love the most
  • 31:20 Joining the Movie Trivia Schmoedown
  • 32:35 Being an active fan
  • 39:20 Social Networking
  • 43:20 Finding the right social networks for your audience
  • 53:20 Future plans for Late to the Party
  • 102:50 Being genuine

All the linky goodness:

Be sure to follow Late to the Party on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Stardust and everywhere else social medias are sold.

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 29: The Nerdy Basement

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Ozzmoesis from The Nerdy Basement, an excellent source of comic book and pop culture news through their Instagram and Podcast. The podcast is produced bi-weekly with Ozzmoesis and his co-hosts Tony and Fez and you can find nearly hourly updates on their social media channels for all the latest nerdy news.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • 7:15 How he keeps up with posting content frequently and consistently
  • 10:45 Being the first source of news for people
  • 12:00 Responding to Instagram’s algorithm
  • 15:45 Season 2 of The Nerdy Basement Podcast
  • 19:00 Finding time for podcast recording in busy schedules
  • 12:00 How the podcast evolved over time and expanded to new audiences
  • 24:30 Experiences promoting at conventions and 2018 convention plans
  • 29:15 Best ways to promote Nerdy Basement
  • 31:45 Future plans
  • 34:15 Why Patience and Consistency are key to building your geek brand

Be sure to follow The Nerdy Basement on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube and subscribe to The Nerdy Basement Podcast on iTunes or Soundcloud.

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 28: Kazplay

Posted on by Tim Ludy

kazplay cosplay

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Laura aka Kazul from Kazplay. She is an amazing cosplayer focusing on beasts and creatures. Her Hogger cosplay was recently the Blizzcon 2017 Costume Contest Winner. She details all of her creations in helpful video and picture tutorials.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • 7:30 How Kazul chooses new projects
  • 8:20 Competing in cosplay competitions like Blizzcon and tips for first timers
  • 12:30 Turning Kazplay Into a Business
  • 17:45 Creating Cosplay Project Hashtags and Promoting Kazplay on Social
  • 23:30 Creating Quality Youtube Videos
  • 29:00 Running Cosplay Panels
  • 36:30 Monetizing Kazplay through products and patterns
  • 44:05 One piece of advice for someone just starting out

Here are the links to everything we talked about:

Be sure to check out Kazplay on Youtube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for cosplay tutorials and information about upcoming conventions and view the items she has for sale on her Etsy.

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 27: Grey Matter Art

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Episode 27 Grey Matter ArtGreetings Entreprenerds!

My guests this week are Mike and Jared, co-founders of Grey Matter Art. Founded in New York in 2013, Grey Matter Art is a limited edition, studio licensed film and entertainment poster company with many new and exciting projects on the horizon. By working with amazing artists, securing the rights from some of the top studios and bringing in input from their fans they have released some incredible pieces and built a very successful business around their passion.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Building relationships with artists
  • Gaining licenses with studios
  • Vending at New York Comic Con
  • Creating Comic Con Exclusives
  • Collecting input from fans for new ideas

Here are the links to everything we discuss:

Be sure to check out all of the pieces for sale at GreyMatterArt.com and follow them on social on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. If you’re reading this in time, check out their Black Friday Mystery Tube sale for a great deal on some really cool signed posters.

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!