How do you measure success ? What make you happy?

[wesley01x9]

What do you all consider the best indicator for success: The number of views, subscribers, comments, or likes.

For me the number of readers of my last Episode is an indicator of how many people actually read the whole story and were engaged.

Also the number of Subs is a good indicator of people who want to see future Episodes.

Read 01X9 | Tapas Web Community

[Aeneas1]

It depends. I wasn't too concerned about the number of subscribers at first -- when I came here, I was more concerned with the number of views I got. Nowadays, I think that both are important because I wish to sell merchandise for my work in the future, and I'm convinced that Nixvir will not be popular enough yet to warrant that. Comments, of course, are a sign that people CARE about your story, and likes are nice I suppose.

[Lensing]

Reaching goals that I set for myself and growth as an artist
+ "surprising things that happen on the way"

I don´t care about numbers, except when it comes to €€€ / $$$

On may 15, 2015 I set myself the goal to draw every day for 10 years
and relearn how to draw from scratch. I just looked at old sketchbooks
from 2015 and 2016 (really embarassing) and felt a wave of happyness
that I pulled it through.

"Suprising things that happen on the way" are for example getting a teacher
job after winning a comic contest. My goal was to win the contest, I did
win it, then I got a newspaper interview and then got asked to teach.
I didn´t care about being in the newspaper and people recoginising me
in my local supermarket but I cared about the teacher job.

[EncryptedWriting]

Would it be dumb to say that my word count makes me happy?

I feel like it sounds a bit childish, but looking at my word count makes me so giddy. Almost like a kid on Christmas. It makes me step back and say "wow I really have done all this.' Not just that, but I like looking back from my most recent chapters to the ones are the start and simply admire.

Is my writing perfect? No. Is it even good? Maybe?? Overall, I think getting that validation from others is important, but I find that getting to see how far I've come in my word count is truly awesome. Not just that, but I enjoy seeing the page counter for the word document I am writing on. Not to mention the amount of chapters I have completed (30)!

Overall, I would love success and fame. However, I want to finish this novel first.

[moontokkym]

Success is finishing the chapter and wanting to start the next one.

[Leyelle]

My siblings make me happy, just talking and laughing with them, sometimes talking to my dad too. But I measure success by how much my stories affect people, if they are moved to comment on it and say how it makes them feel, and also when I get published. Then I know my writing has an effect on people. But fortunately I don't write with success in mind (it is rare and far between) but because I'm passionate about the things I'm writing.

Read Damsel in the Red Dress :: Damsel in the Red Dress | Tapas Community

[enderdragon]

I care more about engagement than other statistics. High sub counts are cool, but what makes me even happier is seeing people leave comments on my pages and engage with the story. I care about making a positive impact on people, it's not just about numbers.

[yaziroburrows]

for me, views are enough. Subs are great because it helps more people find my story, but I'm just glad people read what I write. I am always down for engagement, (feedback is great!) but I also tend to lurk and just like, read and move on, so I can't really judge others for not commenting.
I am trying to get better at commenting tho!

[LWriter]

Success to me now is writing for yourself, because it makes you happy, not caring if anyone reads it or not, if it becomes a hit or not. At your own pace even if it’s a chapter a year. The moment you embrace that peace, that’s when you won…in my opinion lol

[remiquise]

I don't think of the "success" you speak of when I make my stories. I mean that in the truest way possible. I suggest you don't get trapped in the numbers pit.

this is my most "successful" comic:

It made me miserable to write and draw. I hate it and when I do "claim" it in conversations, such as this one, I do so with utterly disgust. I did this one because I knew people liked it. Because I was chasing numbers. Sure, one might call it a success, but it is nothing but a failure to me.

Here are the numbers for my current comic:

Ya wonna know which I am more proud of? Which I feel is more of an accomplishment to tell and produce? What one makes me more happy?

To really hammer it home;

I feel so much more success from finishing chapters for these flops then I ever did for that god forsaken first example.

My feeling of success and happiness comes from creating what it is I want. Seeing myself improve. But I've always been like that, I've full on deleted a pretty popular blog in the past (popular enough to get gifted fanart and fanfiction, archive accounts, ect ect.) because if I am not creating for me, what's the point?

[emedeme]

I won't lie—when I first started, I was super concerned about readers and views—and I still am! You want people to care for your characters and your stories and share the same passion for them that you have yourself. Readers and big exposure also lead to job opportunities and money, but I've learned to take it easy and try to enjoy the ride.

To me, at the moment, the feeling of success comes from the fact that I am able to draw my comic. I've had a lot of health issues in the past and I even underwent surgery a few years ago on my drawing hand. At some point, I feared I wouldn't be able to draw anymore and I also battled with depression and anxiety. But now I have an ongoing comicthat I love drawing and writing (first time working on a script myself, too) and it brings me so much joy, it's a great refuge once I'm done with my dayjob and adult responsibilities.

And knowing other people, or at least a handful of friends read it weekly and care about my "kids" also makes me incredibly happy :__)

Read The Time Wars | Tapas Web Community

[CarltonIsaac]

What do you all consider the best indicator for success:

[EncryptedWriting]

lmao no this is real

[Tursastheeternal]

Online: comments. I like hearing straight from the reader that they appreciate my work
Offline: People buying printed comics from me at conventions and me getting to sign them.

[Shanny8]

I don´t care about numbers, except when it comes to €€€ / $$$

THIS. While numbers dont necessarily equal popularity(coz a lot of the subscribes can become dead accounts) or $$$, a lot of active subscribes can help- especially if they donate ink(which can be transferred into $$$).

I guess success for me is an embodiment of that- having enough subscribers/fans/readers/audience that I can make decent coin off my work and that people are genuinely interested in it- to the point where I'm not stressing about if my work is any good. I dont have to be making money hand over fist or insanely popular, but just enough.

What makes me happy, personally? Not having to stress...about ANYTHING. Most of my life has been an uphill struggle, so when I do get those moments when I don't have to stress- I treasure them and want more of it.

[skullforceagents]

I’m 36 and I’m still trying to figure that out. Being married to my amazing wife certainly helps!

[thepenmonster]

Make it rain! Whoooo!

[Steffie_Musings]

People enjoy reading your webcomic. Doesn't matter how many subscriptions/views I have. Only really concerned because some sites make it hard to be seen, unless you have a certain amount.

Read Nebula Beings | Tapas Web Community

[wolflu66]

I have to admit, although I try to keep a normal mindset, I still worry about views, subscriptions, and likes.

Success for me might still be earning enough income through drawing to make a living.

Next would be having true appreciators who genuinely like my work.

[thepenmonster]

What do you all consider the best indicator for success: