About Posting Schedules to Readers

[XiuLyn_12]

I know that people normally upload their story episodes once a week.

Even if the story proves engaging or interesting to you, would it affect your interest in continuing reading if the author only publishes twice a month?

I noticed that you couldn't include/explain much in short episodes (my previous work was 20 panels/episode), so I increased it to 40 panels.
But because I work alone, I can't work quickly enough to post once a week.
I'm doing my best to post at least three times per month, but I'm curious how posting schedules affect reader engagement.

[BoomerZ]

As long as your audience knows what you are doing and you keep them informed it shouldn't be a problem. People don't like random updates.

[AmysGames]

I might be an outlier here, but—I genuinely do not pay attention to the update schedules of most of the comics I follow. I check in on Tapas frequently, so I just see the notification icon and go "oh nice, one of the comics from my library updated." So I don't know that it's necessarily true to say that people don't like random updates.

In any case, there's really no need to force yourself into weekly updates if you don't think you can do it. Twice a month sounds about on-par with some of the other comics I follow.

[igneriss]

If I liked the story, I would still read it even if it was updated randomly every couple months. I never know schedules for series I read anyway, I just read when I get the notification. The only time upload schedule affects my reading is when the story is just starting out and I'm not sure if I like it or not- then the very long breaks might make me forget about whatever was going on in the story and lose interest. HOWEVER twice a month is not that infrequent so it would be fine

[moontokkym]

Generally it's better to be more regular in posting if you can, but it's more important that the story be good
I post on Saturday at 3PM Paris time every week, once, when the time zone changed it went up at 2PM instead. No one noticed because most people don't know it goes up on Saturday, nevermind what time. They just see the notification and read it or don't.

If you explain you're going to be less frequent but meatier uploads, most people will understand, it's more that it could be harder to find new readers as you're less often boosted to the top of "Fresh".

[XiuLyn_12]

@BoomerZ
Right, I'll keep that in mind. Thank you!

@AmysGames

Twice a month sounds about on-par with some of the other comics I follow.

Thank you for letting me know!
I do the same with you (casually check my notifications if there's any new update). But sometimes there's a comic you like very much to the point you look forward to their next update. By then, would it bother you if they don't upload every week?

@igneriss

If I liked the story, I would still read it even if it was updated randomly every couple months.

Thank you for telling me this!

The only time upload schedule affects my reading is when the story is just starting out and I'm not sure if I like it or not- then the very long breaks might make me forget about whatever was going on in the story and lose interest.

This is my fear currently because I happen to just start a comic!
I feel like the main story doesn't start until episode 3 and I'm worried people would start losing interest due to my upload schedule.

[XiuLyn_12]

If you explain you're going to be less frequent but meatier uploads, most people will understand,

Noted! I'll make sure to update my readers regarding my upload schedules!

Generally it's better to be more regular in posting if you can, but it's more important that the story be good

I do hope there won't be many engagement issues if I post twice or three times a month.

[moontokkym]

You know posting weekly is only 4 to occasionally 5 times a month right? If you post 2 or 3 times a month it won't change that much. I only post once every 1-2 months on webtoon (because I post the 5-10 pages I posted weekly on Tapas at once) and people still pop up and read.

[AmysGames]

Thank you for letting me know!
I do the same with you (casually check my notifications if there's any new update). But sometimes there's a comic you like very much to the point you look forward to their next update. By then, would it bother you if they don't upload every week?

Not at all—some of my favorite comics update less frequently than once a week, and the minor amount of impatience waiting for an update is offset by the excitement when it does update. I'd even say I'm more willing to wait for it if it's a comic I really like, haha.

I feel like the main story doesn't start until episode 3 and I'm worried people would start losing interest due to my upload schedule.

It looks like you've already started posting it, but one thing you can do in this case is to post the first three episodes at once! That's what I did since my comic also doesn't really start until episode 3, lol.

[ZombieOwl]

I'll echo what people are saying and also confirm based on personal experience; consistency is most important.
I also (when not on hiatus) update twice a month and about 30-40 panels each. It's a pretty comfortable workload for me, and my readers are really nice; I've never been badgered about updates or anything (but I'm small for webtoons, so that's probably why lol)

In fact, you may be pleasantly surprised with sharing update schedules; avid readers will be like "Oh, it's Wednesday, time to go check!", who knows? maybe you'll get a good boost in views

[XiuLyn_12]

@moontokkym

If you post 2 or 3 times a month it won't change that much.

Right, I suppose it's not a crazy difference. I'll do my best to stay consistent!

@AmysGames

I'd even say I'm more willing to wait for it if it's a comic I really like, haha.

That's a relief to hear!
And about posting the 3 episodes at once, it might be too late for me. Plus if I do, I won't be able to catch up with future episodes. (I should've prepared more thoroughly ) Thank you for answering my curious questions!

@ZombieOwl

I also (when not on hiatus) update twice a month and about 30-40 panels each.

With your update schedule and the number of panels/episodes, are you still chased by deadlines sometimes? Maybe I'm a people pleaser, so I'm trying to push myself to produce an episode every 10 days.

In fact, you may be pleasantly surprised with sharing update schedules; avid readers will be like "Oh, it's Wednesday, time to go check!", who knows? maybe you'll get a good boost in views

Consistency is definitely the strongest suggestion regarding this matter!
I'll keep that in mind and notify my readers!