Incentive for people buying comics

[AmazementComics]

I don't think doing a free webcomic in black and white online is a good idea. The fact of the matter is this. You're getting exposure to your comic, which is great, but it's like you said. You're trying to make money off of your comic. Adding the incentive of publishing them online to another external website isn't benefitting you in any way shape or form. Plus you already publish your comics here on Tapas, and are getting supported with ink.

The whole suggestion sounds like more work to me. More work that you don't need to stress over.

[mrtoontastic]

One of your customers here! (Hey Zak )

I DO like the idea of a digital version giving viewers more incentives like HD pages and original pencil sketches. Heck, I liked it when I bought the stuff, it came with all this cool junk.

To be honest, I don't think converting the rest to black-and-white would be a good idea (at least not here). The real incentive about selling your works is the fact that people don't have to worry about Tapas' semi-stupid page formatting. I like my comics BIG. And I want to see them BIG, even if its a digital version.

You're certainly doing better than I am and taking the next step in selling your works in an easier format. You certainly need a boost, but I'm not sure how to go about it yet. If I find something I'll let you know.

[rajillustration]

Yeah, keep the color in your free version, if that's what you've already been doing. If you just suddenly dropped color, you would drop subs. I would only drop color if it was a problem with the time it took to create.

[Zak]

@rajillustration @mrtoontastic @AmazementComics @elyss

Thought it'd be easier to tag all in one post because alot of the answers are mostly the same. What should I do that people would like more of? Or generally am I doing enough? I don't MIND the extra work if people want more content or something. Mostly because Patreon and Ko-Fi are mostly ignored if anything so this has been working out so far.

What would be good ideas that you think others do? Like, bonus chapters for people to see that isnt free? Something equivilent to merch I guess? (Not ready to I dont think, But its an idea). Yknow. Something that folks LIKE is what Im trying to get at. If you don't know, its fine. Im happy for suggestions since most ideas that you look on google for are like "Stickers! a video game! a physical book!" something outlandish.

Thanks for replying!

[Kaydreamer]

Personally, this wouldn't be an incentive for me. I buy PDF and physical prints of comics I enjoy for a few reasons:

• I love the story.
• I want to hold it in my hands (physical book) read it in a more convenient medium. (PDF's.)
• I want to support the author.
• I want the extra goodies in the bundle. (Sketches, bonus illustrations, character bios, script, etc.)

There are also artistic concerns here. Black and white reads differently from colour. It may require different composition in order to achieve the same clarity. It won't convey tone as effectively, especially if you're an artist who leans heavily on colour for that purpose. In short, just stripping the colour out of a page will be detrimental to the readability and immersion of your comic, and you'll lose potential readers due to that issue.

[elyss]

People I sub to give things like WIPS, stickers, and mini comics. Another takes advantage of a character that journals regularly and posts 'pages' from their travels. They're all fun things, but it's best to approach these with moderation. Don't burn yourself out by taking too much on at once.

[Zak]

Character Bios sound alright to do. I mean, I havent come up with any new ones but that sounds like a cool thing to do lol

Thanks!

Do you know of any extra goodies I could try out? Always willing to try new things!

[Zak]

Physical stickers? Idk if I can do that YET. Mostly because of an outlet for it. Mini comics I have been considering since I have some ideas. Do you know of anything else I could try? Willing to try new and interesting things! lol

[rajillustration]

A lot of people have incentives where you can buy like extra chapters of their comic that only exists on Patreon or gumroad or physical copies. So like obviously that's a lot of time, but maybe something to work towards?

Also just having advanced pages that come out a few days on Patreon before they come out on the app is an incentive for a lot of readers.

[gabriellabalagna]

I agree with the other comments; I think what you're already doing is really good. I would not do black and white though. Keep up the good work!

[Zak]

Thank you very much!

[Zak]

I can see about a Patreon. But im worried about rewards, do you think that if i have 2 people paying 6.50 for a bundle of a full chapter that then people are willing to do pay through Patreon?

[rajillustration]

Well I've seen Patreon pages done so that no matter what tier you're at, you get to see pages before they post on Tapas--or that they have some short stories that are like only on Patreon and are cute and about 2 pages long, stuff like that. I feel like people who give to Patreon are doing it to support, so they don't need a ton of extra stuff, honestly. the artists I follow tend to put up mostly WIPs.

As for the thing where you put up extra chapters to buy--I've seen a few people do that because they had like...half the book online, slowly updating, and then the rest of the book just available to buy hardcopy of if you don't want to wait. (like Steve Lichman does that). It's kind of a long game though.

[Kaydreamer]

I think somebody else mentioned stickers bundled with physical comics - you can have those printed dirt cheap through Vograce at low volumes. Also, postcard-sized prints which can be printed on a home printer are always a nice, cheap idea.

As for bonus pages in a PDF (or printed) comic; draft pages/process shots of a popular page coming together, with some writing detailing what you're doing at each stage. A bit of writing detailing the inspirations behind your story. 'A Day In The Life Of The Author' type writings. Exclusive illustrations and unfinished sketches. A Q&A. Mini-comics with little side-scenes which didn't make the cut into the main story. You needn't use every idea in each issue, just a few bonus pages will usually be enough for most readers. Especially if they really like your work and were inclined to purchase an official copy of it anyway!

[Zak]

Hmm.. ill defidently try and make up something reasonable for Patreon on then so folks cab WIP of pages and see pages early then. Think with my comic thatd work since i upload weekly mostly?

[Zak]

I would LOVE to do stickers and merch. (Got a way of doing it because my girlfriends thinking of making some for pocket money)

I have been thinking of doing short stories like what-ifs or side stories if people wanted them. Not much folks say yes or no.(my readers like to read but not talk at all much lol)

[rajillustration]

yeah, I have a friend who does that with his webcomic and it works out. He also posts WIP's and some color pages (he does a gag comic that's usually black and white because he did not know how to scan color in the early 00's when his comic started.) It's not a living but that monthly income has been indispensable for him during the pandemic.

[Zak]

Hm okay. Ill give them a go then. Sorry for the 20Q. You got any ideas what reasonable for folks to see WIPs or Pages early? ^^"

Incomes what i need in general but even if its a little bit. Helps my very abysmal confidence and well. No job because of mental health itd help out too for affording therapy one day lol

[rajillustration]

Depends on the person. I'm only going off of the few people I follow, but they make a post a few times a week with like a character (even just a sketch) to keep people posted on projects they are working on and the early access comic postings I think are 3 days early for my friend who does a gag comic (so his are weekly). If it's feasible, I'd recommend following a few people to see what they are doing, just to get a feel for it. People you wouldn't mind giving a dollar to, just to see how they're doing it.

But honestly, what helped me with starting a patreon (back when I did that) and opening a Ko fi was hearing an artist say "listen, it's not kickstarter, it's for people to support your work that you are already making" and that was the push I needed to just open the thing. There's no upfront cost. You can come up with incentives as you go. And like my patreon was just a tiny little bit--but it was better than nothing.

[Zak]

Okay. Ill try to look into it. Thanks alot!