14 / 19
Jan 2017

Hello everyone,
I was looking looking at my analytics and noticed that I rarelly get any comment, I know that with the low number of sub and view there isn't a bit chance of having comments, but is there a way to incress the chance that someone comment? If so what is it ^^.
I am in need of advice because I would love to interacte more with my readers, but I have no clue how to xD.

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    Jan '17
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    Jan '17
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you don't lol

How many readers do you have? How long have you been drawing your comic? It can take a while to establish a regular community that comments and engages. Not only that, but most readers here have 100+ comics in their reading lists... you just can't take part in all of them, much less read all of them, on a regular basis that would be considered healthy. There are comics I absolutely adore here but most of the time I just have nothing to contribute in terms of comments so I just read it, enjoy it, and move on.

Either way, if your story is still getting started, and you're still new to this community, it will take some time. I love getting comments too so it can be hard to wait for them - but there's really no magical way to make people comment, you just gotta hope someone is willing to engage.

BIG EDIT: So I just checked out your comic, and here are some more constructive tips to maybe help bring you more readers who want to engage. Only read on if you want to read a long critique, otherwise just take my above advice before this edit and move on stuck_out_tongue

The Comic Itself: What's the theme here? He wakes up after being in a coma and things are going weird? That's a great premise for a comic but it doesn't seem like this is the direction you're taking it in, because besides the "Bad Day" comics, it's mostly just Christmas and New Year's stuff after that, so whatever theme or plot there is has sort of been thrown out the window in favor of that, before it's even been properly established. If the coma thing was your intention, then start working on establishing that more, don't worry about making comic strips for every single holiday right now (that usually comes later when people already know your characters and how they would behave in such situations).

The Jokes: The key to writing a good joke is having a punchline. Whether the punchline is a pie to the face or terrible irony, whatever it is, you need some kind of punchline to end the joke, otherwise the build-up leads to nothing.

For example: In your first bad day strip, Jack gets pooped on by a bird. That's not really... that funny. At least not anymore. Back in the day when comedy was simple, this might have passed as funny (back when throwing pies and slipping on banana peels was enough to get a huge laugh). The flaw in modern comedy is that it requires a lot more thought and writing skill to come up with something that will make audiences laugh - because we've made jokes about so many things before and it requires more thought to come up with something even slightly new. Even modern jokes these days aren't 100% brand new - just new takes on well-known topics, from different perspectives or different mindsets.

Also, in your second Bad Day strip, when Jack reaches for the diapers but is intervened by someone else, you had the opportunity to make a joke here. Who is this person? Maybe it was a giant man baby buying diapers for himself? A crazy cat lady buying diapers for their cats? In comedy strips like these which are divvied up throughout the course of a day, any break you have should end with a joke where it can. This scene was ripe for comedy but it ended up getting spoiled instead frowning

While I'm covering this one, the fact that one of your strips has you saying "Let's get to work!" but then procrastinating. This joke. Has been done. So. Many. Times. It's not funny. I can't remember the last time it's ever been funny. There have been a small, VERY small handful of creators who have managed to get creative with it and make it funny again, but the original "joke" of not getting work done and just procrastinating has been so often by so many people that it's just not funny anymore. It's just a meta cliche.

Another thing you need to keep track of is keeping your jokes open to all audiences - the best jokes are jokes that can be related to by people from all walks of life (of course, these kinds of jokes can be hard to achieve, but it's so worth it when you find the right one). Take Dane Cook's bit on weird coworkers - we all know what it's like to have a weird coworker, whether you're English, Japanese or Italian. Sure, you might need to translate the joke; but the joke is still there and understood regardless of race or culture.

From what I can tell, you're from France, oui? At the end of A Bad Day Pt 2, Jack says, "This day can't possibly get any worse" only to see that the new president is... Marine Lepen? I mean, yeah, people in France would get it, and cultured Europeans, I supposed, but... I mean, there have been 100x more "Donald Trump is president!" comics from all around the globe. Don't get me wrong, the Donald Trump comics are in super poor taste now especially because he's royally fucking up his presidency (the fact he even made it to be a president can be considered a joke in itself... but I digress) but audiences from different places can still get it because his run for presidency, followed by his winning and inauguration, is all that the world has been talking about for months. If you don't know who Donald Trump is, you've been living in a cave; but not a lot of people know who Marine Lepen is, so trying to make a joke about her just falls flat. And it shows, because you have to explain in the description that Marine Lepen is like the France version of Donald Trump. If you have to explain the joke then clearly the joke doesn't/won't make sense.

Grammar and Text Style: There are quite a few grammar/spelling mistakes in this, but if you're from France as your comic insinuates, then that likely means English is not your first language, which is okay smile I would personally recommend looking for a well-versed English friend or fellow creator who wouldn't mind helping you translate and spell your work; trust me, it makes a big difference. Alongside this, how your text looks makes a difference - right now, there isn't a lot of emotion, because your font is just sort of... there. There isn't a lot of implied emotion behind any of it because most of it doesn't even have punctuation. There are exclamation marks here and there, but don't forget to take advantage of other punctuation marks and techniques to get the character's reactions across - question marks, strings of periods (....), hyphens, commas, etc. Also don't forget to capitalize your letters where needed. The way that your comic reads right now though, in terms of dialogue, comes across very mundane and boring, and almost makes it tiring to read. There are comics that get away with this but I don't think that's what you're going for (there are certain ways to achieving this through the tone and the art if it is... check out comics like Poorly Drawn Lines).

Finally, your art can be improved on, but this can be improved with time and practice. I feel like the jokes themselves are where your readers are clicking on without commenting - I feel like most people can't comment without saying "I don't get it", and at that point they just won't comment (because that would just be pointless to comment, and come across as rude).

If you emotionally affect them in either a good or a bad way, theyre guaranteed to comment. smile

I think comments in general are just rare. I know just what it's like to have trouble getting people to comment. You Tube, forums, and sites like this, it's all the same when it comes to comments. I know because I've posted media for others to see on each of those. If there was a way to get people to comment more that I know of, I would already be doing so.

One thing good reason to "why" would be, simply that most of the time we rather just read instead of read and take the time to say something. It's especially true when one has a lot to read/watch through. I usually take the time to leave a comment of some sort of everything I watch, read, etc. on the internet. However, sometimes there's just too many comics for even me to leave a comment for each one.

Sometimes we don't even have anything cool to say, that could also be a factor. But, to get someone to notice you, advertisements would be best. Commenting on other's first also helps, it makes them check out your work.

Wow, I really didn't expect a full review, thanks a lot for that.
I do see all those point you have ^^.
First, the comic isn't a linear story, I just wanted to tell ironic event in the hospital, some were just absurde other were critics. All centered around the hospital. But I had enough of hospital so decided to make him leave it. And now I realise more and more that my comic would be more interesting if I had a red line to follow.
As for the unfunny jokes, yeah well I am really not good at writting them, yet, or I hope that the more I try, and work on it the better I Ill get at finding some jokes. And I think that yes most of them are ether not really funny, or already well use, but It is hard xD.
As for if I am french, yes I am, and I am sorry for the mistakes I made. I guess I still need to improve, but didn't thought I was that bad. As for the typo, well I have to be honnest I have completly no clue how to choose one :/.
As for Donald Trump, well guess it can offend people, but that's just sad.
And for the art, if you can say art xD, well yeah it can improve greatly, but on this part it is well work, I need to work and work on it (which I am, but I think isnMt going to be awesome in just one day of work... sadly xD.
Thanks again for this rebiew, even if it was really what I was looking for xD. But you taking the time to do this means a lot to me.

Nice topic! Get comments seems pretty random and I still haven't figured this out myself.
It usually happens for me at key moments of the story or epic pages.
I try including in the description of each page a question or a topic people can talk about...

I've seen other creators adding a banner at the end of each page saying "Don't forget to Like, share or comment If you enjoyed this page". Not sure if that works but seems more appropriate for a gag a day strip.

I love the new direction of your comic. A main story line can benefit the series I'm sure!

That banner, it would be like on youtube, but what I wonder is, would it be repulsive? I mean wouldn't the reader dislike this ?

Thanks, yeah that's why I am planning for the anniversary to add this main story line ^^.

Hehe Yes, the banner might be a little too much. Depends on how it's drawn I suppose.

I often start conversations on other comics. The creator are more likely to interact on their series.
At least you could connect and interact with more fellow artists and maybe bring some over to your page.

Maybe a comment event could be interesting. A random comment would win a free sketch!
I did that this summer, I had a fairly good amount of response.

Yeah I try to comment on others when I can, but I don't want to comment when I have nothing to say because it would rude I think as although making people come to my page is nice I can't make it a goal when I comment on others comic ^^.

Ohh free squetch for comment, now thats a cool idea smiley might think of something like this smile thanks

Yes sure. That can't be the goal but if you like something or have a question you can say it.
After posting a page I used to go see my Fresh section neighbors and give a quick comment about their comic.
I had nice surprises that way.

Now for the free sketch event, I have to say it didn't create much interaction for me. Just quick text to register...

Well at least there is some reaction ^^, but yeah I guess if they comment it is for the squetch ^^.. still I like this idea ^^

I'm lounging about with a tiny following as well so my advice may not be the best but a simple step you can take is to ask your audience questions. ie, in the description ask them their opinion on a simple aspect of your comic or current page. It gives them a jumping off point to comment and interact.

And you get anwser for those question? I tryed it on my facebook page, but rarely get any. Will try here, might get better responses :).

Your reader wakes up in a cold, empty house. It's quiet. Toooo quiet.

They get out of bed, shivering. Was the window open when they went to bed? The door to their room is ajar and the rug is rumpled. A feeling of dread washes over them.

Finally, curiosity overcoming caution, they leave their room. The living space shows signs of a struggle; pillows have been thrown from the couch, their favorite ceramic cat is smashed where it looks like it had been thrown. Last of all, however, is the note on the door written with cut and pasted letters from magazines;
"If you ever want to see your parents again, go tohttps://tapastic.com/series/catgirl-highschool-robot-club/ and like, comment and subscribe."

You're not always going to get an answer but it never hurts to ask.
You could also introduce your work to a group of friends or make friends with other creators. They'll know you personally and will be more inclined to interact with you and comment smiley

You don't. You simply can't force someone to do something they can't, won't, or don't want to do.
Such is life.

I think the best way to get comments on your comic is to give them! It creates a positive environment that benefits everyone. I know when I first joined Tapastic back in Aug '14 me and some of the other veterans commented on every comic we read and I think that had a very positive effect on commenting on comics in general. I believe you have to create the environment you want to exist in. So comment more and maybe comments will come your way.

@Strontium Yeah you are right, and I try my best commenting on other ^^.

@tacoberto, well would love to bring friend to tapastic, but they really don't seem interested :/, but I think I am making friens here :). or at least people that I like and can talk and share stuff with ^^