Kick Starting it How to build a successful Kickstarter from Scratch

In this episode of Be Awesome Together, Tyra and Charles are joined by Dennis Robinson — creator of the Lycan: Solomon’s Odyssey graphic novel series and co-host of the Botched podcast. What starts as a chaotic and funny open quickly shifts into a rich, informative conversation focused on how to effectively run a Kickstarter campaign — especially as a comic creator or independent media producer.Key Highlights:Dennis shares how he launched and funded four successful Kickstarter campaigns, including lessons learned, shipping nightmares, and marketing strategies.He breaks down the pros and cons of platforms like Kickstarter vs. BackerKit vs. Mailchimp, and emphasizes building a fanbase, being transparent, and starting with a finished product.Tyra and Charles discuss newsletter tools, AI-assisted editing with DaVinci Resolve, and community-building with humor and honesty.The group talks about enamel pins, jersey merch, budgeting strategies, and the hidden costs of crowdfunding (like international VAT taxes and rising postage).We also get insight into Dennis’s convention hustle, with 25+ shows a year, and how he uses storytelling, spreadsheets, and even dog pictures to build loyalty and drive engagement.Bonus: Charles dies in almost every Lycan book — and pays for the privilege.Closing Thoughts:This episode is a goldmine for indie creators curious about Kickstarter and running a passion project as a sustainable business. It’s packed with real talk, relatable failures, and smart strategies from people doing the work.These notes are supported by AI.