| I understand why you had trouble finding a
comic book business plan -- so did we. But it is just such a fun business
that we didn't want to give up.
KEY CONSIDERATION
Everyone loves comics. From Peanuts to
superheroes to sob stories, there's a tale for everyone. It's great when you
can walk into a lender, show a cartoon and then begin your presentation.
That is exactly what you can -- and should -- do.
STRONGEST ADVANTAGE
This is a business that you can start part
time. The revolution of the internet makes it possible, if not imperative,
that you sell your goods online. Starting with only a handful of classic
comics, it is very possible to build a thriving business over the internet.
When your business becomes so strong that you are forced to devote full time
to it, rejoice. You've arrived.
STRONGEST DISADVANTAGE
Physical retail locations are expensive.
Even small physical retail locations are expensive. Setting up shop in a
mall, or in a shed in a faraway field, could take a nasty chunk out of your
profits. Comics, even classics and collectibles, just don't sell for that
much. Watch your projections carefully to make sure you can really afford to
open a retail location.
OVERCOMING THE DISADVANTAGE WITH YOUR
COMIC BOOK BUSINESS PLAN
Prove that you have the experience to make
the store successful.
Your track record with an online business is invaluable here. Prove that you
have a client base. Prove that you know how to buy and sell comics.
Prove that you have the marketing
background and skill to make the store successful.
Devote a minimum of 5-8 pages of your
business plan to setting out your marketing plan.
Identify your core buyers.
Identify the number of your core buyers in
your selling area.
Demonstrate your creativity with press
releases and free publicity -- you won't be able to afford much advertising.
Base your projections of valid, provable
statistics.
OTHER PLUSSES FROM YOUR COMIC BOOK
BUSINESS PLAN
This is an area that is extremely visual.
Use the visual impact to influence your lender/investor. Certainly show
comics on your cover, and sprinkle comic images throughout your business
plan.
Because yours is such a visually oriented business, your business plan must
be presented as clean, sharp and professional. Goodness, if you can't create
a good looking business plan, how will ever be able to create a good looking
window display?
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR YOUR
COMIC BOOK BUSINESS PLAN AND YOUR MARKETING PLAN FOR YOUR COMIC BOOK
BUSINESS
For traffic information on your location,
contact the owner/manager of the retail center. Also go to your city or
country planning department where you can get traffic counts and information
on housing and construction in that area.
For statistical information for the
comic book marketing plan you are writing, go to
BizMiner.
At the home page, look in the left column
for an "INDUSTRY SEARCH" box. Enter "comic" in that search box.
You will have a choice of Financial
Analysis Reports and Marketing Research Reports for four different types of
"comic" businesses:
- Comic books, publishing only
- Comic books, publishing and printing
- Comic books (wholesale)
- Comic books (retail)
BizMiner has gathered information from over
1,000 comic book retail stores, and summarizes the finding here. These are
the reports that your lender will be looking at. Make sure your store can
meet the parameters set out in these reports.
For US Census Bureau DEMOGRAPHIC
INFORMATION, look in the left column for "VIEW ALL REPORTS", then Click
on "AREA DEMOGRAPHICS".
ONE STEP BEYOND ...
To make a strong impression on your lender,
present a business plan worthy of your business. The energy and creativity
that you bring to your shop should be reflected in the plan itself.
YOUR LIKELY LENDER/INVESTOR
The
SBA is a
strong lender in the retail field.
YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
The online market is growing by leaps and
bounds -- you will be part of that revolution. The comic book business is an
ideal candidate for an extremely strong website. See
the best web host for
more information on my preferred web host -- this will get you up and
running in no time. For assistance in setting up your website, see
Your SBI Coach.
YOUR COMIC BOOK BUSINESS PLAN
Demonstrating your success online before
approaching a lender for funding for a retail store will increase your odds
dramatically. This is very doable. Enjoy!
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