Comment Etiquette

[Rhombik]

I've noticed some of the less well-known creators I've commented on don't reply ever. I'm not particularly fussed (though of course it's nice to hear back from people when you put yourself out there) but I am little curious. What is good comment etiquette?

[Chopythes]

If the author/creator is really busy, they might not always have the time to reply.

I barely get any comments myself, but I try to answer all. But they can also be like me, not really knowing what to say and therefore don't reply?

But tbh, I think at least one reply on each episode would be a good etiquette?
There's no point in answering all, but at least a handful if you've got the time.

I want to say that it's really important that a Creator interact with their readers, at least by a little. It doesn't have to be much, but some.
Whenever I see a creator not responding to their commenters, I get a bit discouraged to post any.
I've also seen people get discouraged WHEN the creator replies, so IDK xD

[Kayke]

I try to always answer reader questions (only ignoring them if they're rude or inappropriate). Other than that I'll answer "thank you" if someone is being complimentary or with a joke if someone else starts a joke I can come up with a come back to.

Some comments don't really need text replies in my opinion if they're just commenting briefly on the events in the episode, but even those I try to give a like so the comment-er knows I saw it.

If someone comments on a bunch of pages at once while binge reading, I'll answer any questions they have if they ask anything but usually just give them one "Thank you for reading and commenting" on their last comment rather than responding multiple times on different pages.

[sarrowsmith10]

I don't respond to ALL the comments on my pages, but I am very chatty, so I respond to a fair number. I also don't comment on pages if I see the creator NEVER responds to any comments. Feels too much like talking to a wall. I don't want my readers to feel like that.

[Sanz]

I try to reply to the comments or at least acknowledge I read them with the upvote or heart thingy

[Michelle]

I do my best to reply to all commenters, but if it's something like "Nice" "Cool" "Oooo what's next", I tend to just give a like. I only wish that there was a notice sent so readers saw that I liked their post, because I don't want them to feel ignored.

If you want a response from the artist, sometimes it's as simple as asking a question :> but try and ask something about the comic that wasn't already blatantly answered. I also like when readers pose plot theories, or make a joke; of course, use your best judgement when making jokes about the comic, you don't want to be insensitive.

Some creators just never reply to comments though, and that's more a bad reflection on them than it is the commenters.

[zetina]

i feel with @Kayke's approach the most.

personally, i truly am at a loss sometimes on how to respond just cuz all i have in my head are feelings instead of actual thoughts i could put into words other than "thank you". which gets repetitive and boring quick. i have replied to some much later than others just cuz i'd been scrolling by and thought of something haha

[candaceandco]

I make it a point to answer the comments I receive on Tapastic, and so far they have all been friendly and/or helpful comments. I've gotten a few vicious comments on other sites, of which I don't bother to respond to. So my own personal rule on comments is that if I receive positive feedback, I respond with gratitude. If someone offers constructive criticism, I also respond with gratitude, and a mention that I will take these suggestions into consideration. But if someone simply wants to pick a fight, that person doesn't exists, and I certainly can't reply to comments from someone who doesn't exist now, can I?

[emkay]

I think about this constantly tbh. Like, if it's a compliment I'll say thank you, but if it's a witty comment or something I have no verbal response for, I just use the 'like' feature and hope they see it. Same thing when I get responses to my compliments -- I just 'like' the thank you response instead of wasting their time by saying 'no problem'.

[LoboSong_Hitaka5Ever]

I usually try to reply to everything but when I forget to do so and I think about it later, I feel funny replying to something old, even if I apologize for the long wait. If people ask me a question, then I will almost always answer (unless its spoiler related) I think for a lot of popular creators that they don't take the time to thank every single person because that's a task and a half. That's when they can use the announcement section on their page to do a mass "thank you to all!" response

So yeah, I think answering questions should be common, unless its spoiler related like I already mentioned, but a "thanks!" to every compliment is just unrealistic

[LordVincent]

I go on a reply streak occasionally, when I have time. I also reply to all private messages on Tapas and Patreon.

There was a time when I would reply to every single comment but now it's just not manageable anymore. If I did, I would be stuck replying all day and have no time to make content or run my business.

Also what happened when I replied to everyone was that I had to try and find a way to be nice even to people I felt were bordering on creepy or extremely attention-demanding, and the thing is those never stop replying. They devour your time and energy and you get all too invested in their emotions n shit and then they manipulate you, or guilt you, or start confessing crushes to you, trying to convince you to date them, or just all of the above all at once. Someone like that who came into my life at a vulnerable time straight up wrecked me gradually over the course of several months.

I do read most comments on recent updates and I love engaging with my audience, but I've had to cut down a lot on the latter to keep it genuine and avoid getting dragged into shit. I still reply, and it keeps surprising people that they get replies from a creator because apparently that's uncommon. But I do it more rarely than I used to.

Everytime I talk too much to people, someone ends up thinking they'll have a shot at getting into my pants. I just wanna draw my comics and pick my own friends. And if anyone looks at that and calls me a douchebag creator for wanting something so basic, then I guess I'll let them have that.

[VermillionWorks]

I try to respond as often as I can to comments, especially at my main site and my Tapas mirror. Sometimes I usually attempt to be funny (when possible, sometimes nothing works but a 'thanks' or a smiley face XP) since readers seem to get a kick out of that. =P

Though I totally get why some creators prefer not to comment a lot, whether it's because it's too difficult or because they feel uncomfortable with it. There can be more pressure there than people realize, but once in a while does let people know you care.

Someone like that who came into my life at a vulnerable time straight up wrecked me gradually over the course of several months.

I...haven't had anything go this bad yet, but thanks for sharing so I can be a little more wary. o__o Usually though if it seems like they're trying to go into a chat in the comments and I really don't wanna, I'll just stop responding. So far, that's worked for me. XP

Though I know emails/IMs can be a bit more of a gamble. >.>;

[Testaccount]

On all my sites, I try to respond to comments. Sometimes, though, responding to all the comments takes way too much time. So sadly, I can't get back to everyone. However, on Tapas, I don't have too many readers yet, so it's easy for me to respond to comments here.

[LordVincent]

I...haven't had anything go this bad yet, but thanks for sharing so I can be a little more wary. o__o Usually though if it seems like they're trying to go into a chat in the comments and I really don't wanna, I'll just stop responding.

Yeah the gradually stop responding is what I do too these days when someone just demands like BFF-levels of attention and I just don't feel i click with them in that way.

Some things I've learnt:

• Don't play friends with someone or let them have your skype or anything just because they guilt you. Not even if they say they'll kill themselves. Direct them to a suicide hotline. You're a random person online, it's not your responsibility to keep this person happy, and in the long run your attempts to help will only turn sour.
• Never ever ever ever EVER date a fan. Befriending one works tho, at least one of my friends started out as a fan.
• Either ignore people asking for dates, or give them a clear no. Don't try to walk around the topic, don't try to joke it away to avoid being mean to them. They take that as a challenge. Also if you give them a clear no you can expect them to turn bitchmode on you.
• Avoid getting too personal in the comments. It will be used against you, or make toxic people feel like they can invite themselves into your private space. It can even catch the interest of stalkers.
• Think twice about anything you post in any official/open space online under your artist name/main username. Every single thing will be used against you by that one douche who really hates you.

Most people are great! But some people really fucking suck, and we gotta protect ourselves against them.

[Rhombik]

Thanks for all the feedback! I feel like I have a clearer idea about it in my head.

Personally, I try to reply to questions and interesting comments but I hear what you're saying about it being impossible to reply to everything.