How do you stay motivated with barely any readers?

[feuersichel]

You first need to know, why are you posting your comic. The "why am I doing this? And for who?" is important to set your expectations straight. I knew beforehand that I wanted to do it so I can learn how to do comics. I think every artist loves some attention and it is a struggle, when you compare your stuff to others. Best is, to avoid this whenever possilbe. It's no measurement on how "good" your story is. I've seen comic with WAY better quality than mine but have less readers than I have. In such moments I imagine all my readers in a room. Even 20 People reading your comic is quite a full room

For the problem on how long it takes: I am working on my story since 6 or 7 years now. Including breaks, redraws and "I just don't feel it right now" etc. Out of all the problems I have in my life, making new pages is my most favourite problem

[MelancholicOtaku]

I remember that I’m writing for myself. Yeah sure having the next big thing would be absolutely but there’s a low probability of that happening. I write because I find it fun,not gain massive attention but because I love reading and wanted to create my own world.

Also my readers are amazing people. I want to continue on this journey not just for myself but for the readers who deserve to see the ending.

[miuthecat]

You don't, still, most readers are fake (they either want sub back or want their comic link on your listing), it motivates more having 1 real reader than 10000 fake....
It'll depend if you believe in the quality and uniqueness of you comic, if you can enjoy making your comic without readers, then, maybe....one day, someone will notice your passion, still, it's easier said than done

[Elliart7]

I guess from a pragmatic view I DO eventually want to make money from my comic in indirect ways. For example, no one’s gonna pay me to draw the comic itself, but with enough of a following I can do things like open a patreon, sell merch, etc. A good question is do you think a publishing company would be interested in helping you get hard copies on shelves without an already existing reader base? THAT would be a great motivator, knowing that I’m also preparing a print copy.

[cm855844]

Hi there! I completely understand your problem. When I started my webcomic, Outcasts, I had NO readers for a while until the first few readers got hooked and decided to stick around. I'm not gonna lie, though; during that period of time with little engagement and was lucky to have ANY readers at all, I'd be lying if I told you it was hard to stay motivated and even pick up my drawing stylus.

My suggestion: From what I've experienced and what I've heard from fellow webcomic makers, here's my advice: Make the comic you like and like to create. You like fantasy? Make a fantasy webcomic! You like characters finding themselves? Have your main character go on a self-discovery arc!

The bottom line is this: It's going to take a while for your webcomic to get out there. If you only rely on extrinsic motivation (in this case, reader engagement and people subbing to your webcomic), you're more likely drop the webcomic and its story entirely. Your love and passion for making your webcomic will drive you forward more than anything. Keep going and don't give up! I believe in you!

Keep creating & never give up,
Cookcakez357

[Lensing]

I know hundreds of publications which had no onine following and came out as traditional comic books

[cm855844]

I hope that this post speaks to you and lets you know that you have people in your corner who are cheering you on!

[ZAPPI]

For me patience is everything. No webcomic is ever gonna become an overnight sensation (Unless you're already a very well established artist) It may take many months or even years to get a decent following, hell I'm damn lucky to even have a few readers who check in regularly on my updates.

From what I've seen so far from other comics, weather on webtoon or tapas, every comic will likely get at least 1 consistent reader, no matter how bad the art may be, and for me honestly, that's all you need for a comic to be a valid piece of art. Just a single person who appreciates the art. If the reader leaves a comment and says something nice about the comic, USE THAT! Use that for your drive to keep you moving, and soon enough more and more readers will eventually come, as your art and writing skills improve.

Just be patient and never stop drawing! (But also don't burn yourself out and take a break when you need to)

Also have you tried posting your comic on multiple sites?

[Cheekybee07]

honestly one or two readers who consistently stay in touch with keep me motivated

Read The Socially Awkward Twin Sister | Tapas Web Community

[NGChloe]

I know I'm playing a long game. No one grows millions of followers overnight, so I treasure every small growth I gain. i was anxious at first, but those anxieties past as I kept going.

[kyupol]

Because I'm doing it for something greater than myself. That's what keeps me going like an energizer bunny

[giamarvelousunime]

I get motivated thanks to reading other trendy and romantic novels. Good morning/afternoon/evening! If you are searching for something to read and see, check our graphic novel! Please consider subscribing and giving a like. We also have our own youtube channel where there will be the animated series of this graphic novel, so subscribe please! Its called Unime Studio, thank you for checking. If you comment for a shoutout in the graphic novel, you will be called in a shoutout in the channel! This novel will have realistic and raw situations that happen in real life in actuality!
Here´s the link:

Read Before Man Mistakes | Tapas Web Community

Youtube channel:

♥꧁𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕞𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕦𝕕𝕚𝕠꧂♥

Wattpad:
https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/386418614-before-man-mistakes
webtoon:

Before Man Mistakes

[Elliart7]

This is the most encouraging thing in this whole thread (no offense to anyone else, all this advice is still great)

[Krysteena]

Its hard but I just keep posting think of it this way solo leveling doesn't have that many people if you count 1 mil compared to how may people know him and how famous he is now.

[EncryptedWriting]

Yknow, it's the idea that I'm doing this for me. I know there will be a niche, and I'm hoping one day to find it. Staying positive is important for me, and I believe one day, when I get over this hill, that I'll be able to find my folks.

[Heidifisk]

I think it also important to remember, that unless your story really hits it big within like... the first 5-10 updates it's probably just not going to be super popular.

Sometimes a story just has limited growth, (Unless you are 100% will to do things like sub for sub or get lucky and have a big online reviewer look at it)

At that point you just have to accept that you are making it for yourself and for your few readers that really enjoy it.

There is nothing wrong with that, and having satisfaction of finishing a project can be worth a lot.

[moontokkym]

You have to want to tell the story. The story has to be poison in your mind and you need to get the poison out. If you're doing it for the fame, recognition or the money, you will never get through that phase of no one but you reading.

@Elliart7 just so you know, I'm one of those people with barely any online following and still came out with a tradi book. It's really a different beast, you have to go after editors and pitch to them, make connexions in your local publishing industry, etc... It's not easier by any means, but if your skillset isn't in constant online self promo, you might be better at intense in person pitching events.
And if you're going for self-published, it's kind of a mix of the two, where you have to know how to self promo online, be reasonable with your goals and be business minded.

TL;DR: none of it's really easier than the rest, but they're slightly different skillsets so play to what you're already good at and improve that.

[faisalhussein394]

To keep yourself motivated is simple, do the things you love and feel satisfied over the satisfaction of others. That's how you continue the work you're passionate on. It will feel like a holiday on the things you like rather than working and no earnings.

It's up to the readers whether they feel invested on your work or not. Always think about yourself first.

[Leyelle]

I do it because I love writing silly comics, and because I'm using my comic to help me get better at art. So even if there aren't many people reading my comic, I'm still not doing it "for no reason."

[2DLenzy]

A couple years before I even started publishing, I was drawing my comic just for laughs, and to experiment with my skills on a digital tablet. I was basically doing it just for me, you know? After I got a story arc going was when I thought about publishing onto Tapas, which was technically 3 years after I had first put the pen to tablet (Yep, worked on it on and off for a bit.) I had major burnouts, still do, but what really carried me through the hard times was the big "Why?". Why am I publishing a comic online for free when I could be doing something more useful as a hobby? Simple, I wanted to tell a story, initially based off a silly pun, later including drama. Not to mention experiment with webcomics (style/formats to see what is favored), mirroring (publishing on more than one site), and online marketing (which I suck at)

Guess, bottom line, it boils down to getting started and having not only a passion for your story/audience but for learning as you go.

Like numbers? Some personal stats:
I published around 46 episodes (one page or more each) in my first year(2023). I got a stat boost in July, 2023 when I joined the forums and started sharing my story along with advice, personal experiences and overall funny stuff (also did a drawing thread in October that year). Got 66 subs my first year.

2024: published 27 long eps (not a great year irl, lol), but I had a handful of dedicated readers by then. Gained 38 subs (then lost a few which happens. My flagship series has 82 subs right now)

So, it's kinda a mix of quantity and quality. Statistically speaking, you may get lucky and surpass me within a shorter time, and things are guaranteed to build up. But you'll never know unless you start.