Anyone else feel more and more invisible on here?

[blackopsracing321]

I wasn't planning on posting in this thread cause frankly I feel Tapas doesn't owe anyone (other than premium and EXTREMELY popular series) subs or views, although I do understand the feeling of shouting into a void.
But the idea that Webtoons is doing ANYTHING different than Tapas to promote non-premium creators is grossly untrue. In fact WT does nothing to promote new series/creators. They just have a larger reader base, and that reader base is why people get more subs/views on that site. Let me explain why.
At this point it's common knowledge that WT reader prefer, if not demand, longer updates. And most creators on there (myself included) do their best to appease the readers by giving them longer updates. Since these creators (again myself included) have to work other jobs, take care of family or just do anything other than just create webcomics, they have to post less frequently. For instance, instead of posting 3 single page updates 3 times a week, they'll post one 3 page update once a week. This leads into how WT's Discover section works.
Now the Discover section is the equivalent to Tapas fresh section, were as soon as you post your update appears there (with everyone else who updated at the same time). This is were the only real benefit of post on WT lays. Since people are posting less frequently a week, your post stays up longer in the Discover/fresh section, generating more views/subs. And that's the only reason people get more subs/views on WT (well that and the larger user base).
Webtoons is not promoting smaller creators. All of the comics in their "popular" section are featured series (the ones WT pays the creators to make) and the only way to find a small name series is by searching for the series name or finding it in the Discover section. This is where Tapas beats WT, because yeah you get pushed out of the fresh section pretty quickly, thanks to Tapas' algorithm you have an opportunity to appear in both the popular and trending sections, giving you another chance to be seen.
Anyway sorry for the kinda off topic rant, but hopefully it shed some light on things.

Also as to get back on topic, learning the business side of webcomic would help a lot in terms of visibility. Just do some googe searching and you'll find new ways to promote (some you haven't even thought of). At least that worked for me.

[scythe]

I don't want to just complain, because that doesn't help with anything, but yeah, looking back at my stats, it's pretty dire on this site.

I'm not saying that's Tapastic's fault, I believe in free, competitive market principles, and there are plenty of things if given the chance I'd do differently.

Despite having done this for a couple of years, my story is still in its early stages, and I can only manage to update twice a month, so I have to keep that in mind. I'm also very spotty with promoting myself on social media. I could be doing a lot more on that front. But on the bright side, I think my art is well above average, and my story/writing is pretty good too, even if it's admittedly a bit overly cerebral for a good chunk of the general webcomic reading audience.

I started posting on this site in January 2015, and after about half a year, I think I managed to get about 500 subscribers and was amassing at least a couple thousand views per update. Likes, comments and new subscribers were a regular thing.

Fast forward to now and all that has slowed down to barely a trickle. Shouting into a void pretty much sums up what it feels like. I'll get a new subscriber every now and then, but because I lose them just as quickly, the net result is a lot like treading water, and I don't think I've pushed the number up much at all this whole year.

This feeling of invisibility is only exasperated when I sub to really cool comics with similar sub count to mine, and see they've only been posting here for a few month. More importantly though, there seems to be a buzz around their comics, with likes and comments, that I used to have with my own comic, but has since evaporated.

Again, I'm not here to complain, but to ask if there are any steps that can be taken. I'm seriously considering just deleting my account and starting over. I don't want to have to do that coz it seems a bit like unjustly punishing those subscribers I already have, but if it really is true that newer comics get better visibility thanks to views/subscriber count, is it worth taking the shot? At least I'd have a chance of appearing on the New and Noteworthy selection, yeah?

I don't know what to do.

[jdthomaswriter]

From my SEO/Digital Marketing background, there is no magic formula for you to be seen, receive more views, receive more subs/follows, etc. It simply comes down to simple points:

1) Quality, not quantity, is key to any visual medium. The individual who has quality content despite only having one book published will receive a job over the individual who has fifty books published with less-than-quality content.

2) In the field of visual mediums, both story and visual aspects need to become one unit. Where quality is lacking, the rest will follow suit rather quickly.

3) Whether developing a webcomic or any other visual medium alone or as a team, you're all still considered "freelancers" or "unknown" individuals. Why should anyone care about your webcomic if they don't know who you are? What is the point of your webcomic? What is its message? What is the webcomic niche you're performing for? And after you answered all those questions, you're going to be asked again, and again, and again, why should anyone care about your work.

4) Say you posted a few quality pages so far: the story and art work in harmony with each other but now where do you go? From here, it's all about answering those questions from before. This is what is called "Networking" and "Marketing" your content. Keep this in mind, and this is very important, you may have quality content but it's not a guarantee nor is there a magic formula that will automatically work to your benefit.

5) Networking/Marketing Contd: You've posted quality content but that will not get you anywhere. It's now time to apply some elbow grease and dig in for the long haul here. Social Media is a wonderful strategy when networking/marketing your content. Posting to sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Related Forums, etc... with a direct link to your work and why they should care about your content is key to success. BUT!! You're also competing with thousands of others in the same possible niche or genre. Failing to have a Link to these posts or not having a link to your content on any social media platform or Forum will result in lack of eyeballs on said content, never mind the subs.

6) Search Engines are NOT your friend!! Let me repeat that: Search Engines are NOT your friend!! I say this because if you do not have any SEO (Search Engine Optimization) plugins on a dedicated site or know how to effectively use SEO/Digital Marketing, NO ONE will find your site, much less your content. It is best to connect the LINK to your content on any Social Media Platform(s) you may happen to be using.

7) Networking/Marketing is the same as Advertising content. Take the time in learning how to best utilize copywriting skills to advertise your visual medium to the world. This may sound like a lot of work to any small-time freelancer or creator, but how can you expect to thrive in the visual medium industry if you don't put in hard work? Again, you are competing against thousands of others out there but it's not impossible.

8) Complaining will get you nowhere. It looks very bad on you as a creator and no one will take you seriously.

9) Lastly, if you have a posting schedule, stick to it. No one likes a creator or creative team whom frequently goes dark without a word to the subscribers. Posting quality content on a regular basis, keeping fans updated, etc... are just two of the many tools you can use from your tool bag of success.

Let's Recap!

• Create quality/on-time content
• Network/Market the hell out of your content
• NO COMPLAINING!

Three simple rules here but it still does not guarantee you success. Most successful creators today still work a full-time job on top of creating full-time content, even if they have thousands upon thousands of fans.

[orchidesyl]

But the idea that Webtoons is doing ANYTHING different than Tapas to promote non-premium creators is grossly untrue. In fact WT does nothing to promote new series/creators. They just have a larger reader base, and that reader base is why people get more subs/views on that site. Let me explain why. At this point it's common knowledge that WT reader prefer, if not demand, longer updates. And most creators on there (myself included) do their best to appease the readers by giving them longer updates. Since these creators (again myself included) have to work other jobs, take care of family or just do anything other than just create webcomics, they have to post less frequently. For instance, instead of posting 3 single page updates 3 times a week, they'll post one 3 page update once a week. This leads into how WT's Discover section works.

Honestly, I never said Webtoons will grossly promote smaller stuff, and I must say. (^ u ^; )
The timing thing is wrong. I share an update like a month and a half after the net, sometimes much later. I used to do it faster, but results were worse.

I started posting on this site in January 2015, and after about half a year, I think I managed to get about 500 subscribers and was amassing at least a couple thousand views per update. Likes, comments and new subscribers were a regular thing.

I started posting back in March 2015, and made a good amount of updates (until I rebooted by comic), but even so, nothing feels as if it's really happened.Like, the readers arent genuinely interested. I'm saying that with WT, things feel more genuine. I think its because its less of a business.

[purrlpankras]

I always say 90% of your time goes on promoting your comic, the other 10% on making the comic.
This will hopefully build your fanbase bit by bit.

To be honest, it's just chance that people suddenly get popular. It's very rare.

[orchidesyl]

And as a HS student making time to share art and comics, I appreciate you giving the time to share out things you've learned from your profession, but I want to give my two cents on this based on experience.

Create quality/on-time content
Network/Market the hell out of your content
NO COMPLAINING!

A.) I've seen , and is currently seeing, content that people share that is not quality, and is truly lacking in a lot, but many find it to be wonderful. For example, let's say Musician A (not o name anyone to start any fights) doesn't know a lot of the fundamentals of music, or even knows how to properly sing/play an instrument, but is really popular. Musician B is the opposite, they know how to song/play, but they aren't receiving the recognition they deserve. Both of them start off the same way too? What's the difference between them? The content!
You'll find people like short comics nowadays cause thy're easier to share, take less time to look at, and are easy to take, repost, etc. People don't commit to story-based comics as much as thy used to. This doesn't mean you should change your content creators; connect with people who share common interests.
With the addition of that, being consistent isn't a guarantee. Of course everyone wants to be consistent to some degree, but sickness, schedule changes, and sudden short/long term tragedies happen, and for me, they unfortunately happen. I found that some people find it annoying to give updates like that, so as thoughtful as it is, others may get annoyed of you....

B.) Of course, I share wish with family, friends, followers, and extended friends as well. Sorry if i's about to get personal, but others most of the time act like they're interested, but forget about you when you don't bring it up, but when you do, they get annoyed, or just try to bribe you to do stuff for them, because they only want to use you for business, not growth. For the people who do read it though, they would want to change it for the worse. I'm not saying they aren't good people among the majority, it's typically small for me. The best thing to do is to be thankful for them, cause they are supporting you, and it's genuine.

C.) Duh, who expect that to get them anywhere? Think of this as venting. By venting, you're relieving pressure off yourself and others, and by doing so, you feel fresh and more able to climb over obstacles that's been troubling you. Additionally, you know you've had a problem others had, and by knowing, you feel less strange, less selfish, and comforted, because you know you'e not alone, and you're going through a normal thing.

[Rhombik]

C.) Duh, who expect that to get them anywhere? Think of this as venting. By venting, you're relieving pressure off yourself and others, and by doing so, you feel fresh and more able to climb over obstacles that's been troubling you. Additionally, you know you've had a problem others had, and by knowing, you feel less strange, less selfish, and comforted, because you know you'e not alone, and you're going through a normal thing.

I think their point is that it can make you look bad. You can't control whether people see it as complaining or venting.

I can see the problem with this advice is that it sounds accusatory but I think it's intended in the best way. The thread is about how to deal with invisibility and peoples' feedback is that you've got to protect your online image.

[blackopsracing321]

How is my statement about the general update rates on WT wrong? If anything you following statement only proves my point, that people post updates less frequently over there as compared to Tapas. (Not trying to pick a fight or anything, just confused by your conflicting reply).
Also my original post wasn't directed at you or your original post (I was typing it as you made your post so I didn't read it prior), but at the general idea that WT is going out of their way to help the little guy.

[orchidesyl]

That's strange-- I thought you said the opposite.
My bad then--

[orchidesyl]

I think their point is that it can make you look bad. You can't control whether people see it as complaining or venting.

That means anything could be taken the wrong way, which is bad. Venting ("complaining") shouldn't be viewed the wring way, because that might give off worse results.

[Momomori]

yea i do sometimes, mostly cus i feel more distanced with some of my tap friends lately, and my sub count has only been going down lately which can be discouraging but the best i can do is ignore it and press on.

[jdthomaswriter]

I don't know man. I've been in this industry, and personal friends with a great number of other professional creators, for ten plus years now. You're an HS student and there is a lot of naivety coming from you. And that's okay. However, what I've mentioned is the reality of the industry/niche. There are no two-ways around it except for accepting what is and doing your best and hoping for the best results possible.

Research, quality content, consistent updates, and proper networking/marketing will help you along the way. Again, there are no two-ways around it. And since you're asking "what's the difference between them"? There is plenty of difference. As I've mentioned before, it's about your audience/niche you create the content for. It's a question of why should anyone care for your content.

[somber]

I think the hardest part about being a content creator is not comparing yourself to others. A lot of people here are young and young folk like instant results (I was young once, so please don't yell at me for saying this).

I can feel for everyone in this thread. It's so hard to leverage your own success when others are doing seemingly very well in terms of views/subs/whatever. I can tell you, these 'quick rides', are not quick. They are usually people with a high following elsewhere or they work extremely hard to deliver content, improve their art, engage, market themselves... Maybe like 1% will get popular due to sheer luck, but again, you just can't compare yourself to them. It just brings you down and it's not a realistic way to gauge your own success.

It's hard to believe, but to someone, you are not invisible. Though they might not sub and may not comment, but there is someone out there that thinks your stuff is great and visits it often. But most importantly, you should be making the comic for yourself. I know people here want to make money with their work or just get validation that their stuff is great because of views/subs, but if you feel like you're making your comic for 'no one', not even yourself, then you should stop. If you're not making the comic for you, then why bother? If you don't like your own work, it's going to get tiring very fast and burn you out because your mindset isn't in the right place.

Be patient and keep posting. Others will notice and are already noticing.

[scythe]

It's true that there's no such thing as an overnight success, and I think it's a good practise not to compare yourself with others.

However, going off my experience, when I compare where I am today with regards to views and interactions, it's night and day from what was happening during my first year on the site. The drop off has been brutal (probably ~10-15% of where it was).

Again, I have no idea if the change has anything to do with Tapastic at all, or if it's purely the result of my own failings mixed with an increase in competition, but either way, I'm not sure how long I'd be able to continue like this if Tapastic were the only place I was uploading to.

[somber]

This is also a good point. Measuring your own success based on your past results is really what OP and others /should/ be doing... but just overall in the thread, to others that spoke up, they complain about not being popular and the popularity section in general. My main point was not to look at the popular comic - because it's not really an accurate measure of exposure to oneself.

I think people also overlook the fact of just how overly saturated the online art/novel/creative world. Back in the day when I first started an amateur comic (like 8 years ago), SmackJeeves was like the go-to for amateur comics. Now if you Google 'webcomic hosts', there are a good 20 sites that host comics for free. It was the same with DeviantArt. It's not Tapas - it's just the internet culture has boomed so much in the last 10 years.

[Rhombik]

That means anything could be taken the wrong way, which is bad. Venting ("complaining") shouldn't be viewed the wring way, because that might give off worse results.

Sure, everything can be taken the wrong way but especially negative stuff.

I'm not sure you can ask viewers not to take venting / complaining the wrong way. Their opinion of an artist is going to be pretty automatic. Most people are too lazy to look deeper.

If I need to vent, I go to an outside party. For example, I don't complain about work to colleagues, I go to another friend. It means my work colleagues' opinion of me is safe, I get a more neutral perspective and we're much less likely to get carried away.

[MoonSquid]

Me me meee! XD but comparing myself to the success of others isn't really helpful. I see how great and creative their stories and arts are, and how hard they work to advertise. I'm just a slug on a leaf, really. It's my own fault I suck so bad XD

[Silerna]

I believe less known creator are never in the spotlight on Tapas. You always see the Same trending comics on the frontpage. I'm pretty satisfied with the views I get within a month since I do advertising everywhere. I've got around 30 subs for years now. Not going up or down.
But Yes it's hard to get by with the (premium) creator who get so easy views and subs.

I wish Tapas would pay more attention to new and unknown creator who provide Just as good content as populair ones. Even less talented people deserve credit. Not everyone can draw amazingly but bring out a amazing story and content as Well.

[Rhombik]

Oh no I think it totally relates because people are worried about invisibility and I think what we're trying to say is that they should be careful about these kinds of threads because it might be unhelpful in promoting their comics.

Sorry if I put words in your mouth.

[AwezumArt]

I feel ya, I've been here a year and still have under 100 subs. T_T. As long as your doing it for the joy of it, then it will be ok