Comic Books, Community & Creator Income: The Mike Koslik Story | Behind Closed Books | EP 103
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When you’ve known someone for 15+ years, you get to skip the small talk and get straight into what actually matters.
Today, Mike Koslik joins me for a real conversation about what it actually takes to build something on the internet. He is the creator of Comic Book Corner 2.0, a long-time head tennis pro, and someone who has built an online community brick by brick.
It’s not a highlight reel—it’s the part most people never talk about: the work, the trade-offs, and the choices that compound over time.
Key Discussion Points
00:00 – Mike Koslik joins the show
02:10 – How two friends of 15+ years ended up in totally connected worlds
05:42 – Building a YouTube channel in a niche you think no one cares about
09:30 – Community, live streams, and why people show up
13:55 – The real economics of YouTube: ads, memberships, super chats
21:20 – Short-form vs. long-form: how creators actually get paid
25:08 – Behind the curtain: filming, editing, schedule, burnout
31:44 – The tax + financial side creators ignore
39:12 – Comics as assets, speculation, and the crash after COVID
45:50 – Consistency, imposter syndrome, and starting before you're “ready”
51:30 – How tennis and teaching shaped Mike Koslik’s communication style
57:10 – Growing up, identity, and the experiences that shape who you become
01:05:20 – What Mike would tell anyone who wants to start creating
01:10:48 – Closing thoughts
Before you head out, help this conversation reach the people who need it:
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#BehindClosedBooks #MikeKoslik #ComicBookCorner #YouTubeGrowth #ContentCreatorLife #OnlineBusiness #CreativeEntrepreneur #CommunityBuilding #SmallBusinessOwners #AuthenticConversations #Podcast #CreatorEconomy
4 episodes