Advertising your comic through private messages. Yay or nay?

[OpalSpike]

When I get PMs or even wall posts about comics it really puts me off. I got a post advertising a comic on my wall and I didn't even want to click it. I have gotten a PM about a comic, but it was very sincere and kind, asking to help out another friend. (I'd already subscribed to the person in question) I think, under very rare circumstances, it's OKAY to advertise your comics. Not great. It usually just feels desperate. The forums, are a super awesome way to advertise. No need to spam.

[winglesscomic]

the amount of begging done to read one's comic is inversely proportional to anyone's desire to actually read it

[fighterxaos]

Just through a random private message? Like "yo, check out my comic"? I don't think that's ok. Maybe if it was "we have something similar in our comics" but even then I don't see why you'd private message. It's just too spammy.Waste of time in my eyes too, to not only spam but just spam a single person.

[Kamikaze]

Absolutely not. You know how people in parking lots will put pamplets on your car or something? What do most people do with that stuff? It's on the ground. It's thrown away. You're shoving your comic into people's personal space and it's not only uncomfortable, it's rude. When someone does that kind of advertising it's also wasted energy, because at that point the sender is pissing people off so they're going to tell OTHER people about how rude they were to do that.

If you're going to advertise you have to realize that advertising is about establishing relationships with your customer/reader base. Check out Scott Stratten's Unmarketing, or his talks on youtube to learn more.

[Menbung]

One word: No.

I'm pretty sure who's the creator that wrote the PM on your wall, he/she did the same thing to me and to a couple of friends, he/she does it a lot it seems.

I went to that creator's wall and told him/her that what he/she did was considered spam, and that please refrained from doing it, instantly, the creator deleted my post =P.

And yes, the "Oh wow your comic is super awesome, keep doing that amazing job, also, check my comic". That guy has been around some time too, he was doing the same in another site that I was in.

Spammy spam spam spam everywhere.

[shade277]

Spoken like a Jesus!

[insomniascrawl]

I'd say a no on that one. I've never gotten or sent a pm about reading a comic, but I think it would be a definite turn off if I received one. It's a bit aggressive I suppose.

[Amymone]

Oddly, every time I get one of these advertisement PMs it's usually for a series I'm already subscribed to. I get a little sad that they don't realize that I'm already on board. Do people EVER look at their subscribers list?

[Marvin]

Uh, that's weird... I mean, either they have few subscribers so they should know them a bit, or they have too many to follow but then, why would they act that desperate ?

Personnally, to answer your question, I do look at my subscribers list, if only to thank them one by one and to check out their comic if they're a creator... And of course, I tend to visit more the walls of the readers who leave the most comments, because after a while, they kinda feel familliar =D

[Aspie_Gamer]

I say nay. we've plenty of threads here in the forums where you can advertise your creations to your heart's content

[VermillionWorks]

I'll just say that I'm more likely to check out your comic after seeing a regular comment of yours through the forums/my comic's comment section than I am to check it out because you messaged me and went "pleeeaaase check out my comic". As others have already said, I'd probably just ignore that. Even if some go "meh" and are willing to take a look, I'd say most wouldn't. Plus there might be some concern that it's a spambot if you do that, and we naturally avoid spambot links!

Even your icon looking interesting is more likely to lure me in. XD

[BraveHeartTatsumaki]

Nay. I mean, I understand some people want to suceed and have tons of fans inmediately and everyone to read your thing but, it doesn't mean it's correct to spam to others specially when, here we have plenty forum threads to share our stories and talk with everyone, is like ask for more cookies when you have your plate full of them super metaphor by me (?)
Also I prefer have few but people who read them, than tons of people suscribed and like 5 barely reading it.

And also I've seen some like "suscribe to mine and I'll suscribe to yours" why? if you suscribe is because you like the work, not a thing of get numbers.

[Vikiro_Hop]

Yah Nay, I know some people just don't know any better but it is really off putting. Nothing wrong with shameless plugging, but sending a PM is really awkward.

[mg78]

is it alright to advertise your comic to people through private messages?

absolutly NO.
that could be spam.
u have to let people to choose to follow your work, not pursuit them to show it up what u do.

[Kura]

Don't like it.

Also this reminds me of when I first came to tapastic and there was someone that would go to popular comics, go to the list of subscribers and PM everyone on it to read their comic. "Hey, I see you read _______. In that case you should subscribe to and read my comic _______ you'll really like it." What made it even more frustrating was that most of the time the comics were not remotely related to each other in content in any way, so how the **** you expect me to subscribe and read to your comic when it is the opposite of what I enjoy reading?

[zelkats]

I think it all boils down to a classic case of people not knowing better.

There was even a person who posted their random drawing on popular Tapastic creators' walls saying, "This is my first coloured drawing!" or something to the effect and it had no relation to anyone or their comics. I kindly told the person that it's not a good idea and suggested alternatives to help showcase their drawing. The person proceeded to delete their posts and never did it again.

So yeah, maybe instead of ignoring or reporting them, it might be a good idea to tell them that what they're doing ain't coo.

[SpavVy]

I get royally pissed when people do that to me, I tend to not say anything but it is aggravating beyond belief.

[feldiarts]

advertising your comic is like advertising an Channel on Youtube:
Be active inside the Community, write usefull comments, be active on social media.
And maybe ask your friends to share your stuff ^^

[Luminosophy]

Being pushy with your comic is a fast track way to get people to hate it before they even read it.

[Dorian_Grey]

Let me put it this way.
Picture this, you're meeting up with some new people at a restaurant. One person finally shows up, and you've never met them before. You reach out your hand in a friendly gesture for a hand shake and a warm 'hello'. But before you could, they take your hand, gripping it firmly. Yanking your arm they pull you in closer, look directly into your eyes and shout "HEY YOU SHOULD SEE ALL THE CATS I HAVE ON MY PHONE, I LOVE AND TAKE CARE OF CATS!"
I think you'll feel inclined to say "no I don't want to see your cats, even if they are adorable."

Basically nay; shoving things into someones face may not be the best first impression, even if it is a good body of work.