Asking other creators to like, comment, and sub isn't the way to go

[Panpan]

Advice from one creator to another.

I've been getting DMs on my Tapas wall asking me to like, sub, and comment on their novel series.

Do not do this.

This isn't how you build an audience, friends. It's hard to continue getting a reader base organically this way, as many sub4sub or like4like become "dead subs", and it will hurt your algorithm in the long run.

This has been apparent in the contest, as well.

Trust me, do not DM other people to do that, as there were a lot of complaints in the last romance novel contest of people asking. It's up to others if they want to support a work or not.

[JoshRaed]

Sub for sub got me 30 subscribers on a comic where a page would have four views after a week.

[Panpan]

Which is fine and all, just think about this long term, too.
It's common for sub4sub to sub to works but never engage. It's a risk.

My main message is...dont DM people asking for engagement. If its done too much, its seen as spam.

[piedpendragon743]

I agree, I think it's better to have less real fans than those who just boost the numbers by obligations of an agreed transaction. If my work is good-- it will eventually get around by word of mouth through your true fans. That is progress.

[Panpan]

I get excited seeing I have a DM...only its a promotional message asking me to engage in the work

[orchidesyl]

That's really disappointing and imo feels one sided at times. I don't mind a thank you note (I do it myself), but I do so privately. Profile pages aren't just for people to post each others page, but for people to post on their own pages, which would murk their profile. I feel many people are seeking what Tapas is doing for their own stories for themselves and not realizing that indie creators are designated as "community" for a reason.

[MelancholicOtaku]

I have to agree, I want the person to subscribe because they enjoy reading my story , just like I’ll subscribe if I truly want to continue reading said story.