Is any update scedule better than none at all?

[UncleVlad]

Ok- So, long story short Life conspires to constantly throw me off my posting schedule.

I'm not too keen on dropping down any further, but i am debating on maybe cross posting to Tumblr and maybe throwing pages up as i finish them there.

I'm doing all my drawing by hand, and i'll admit that i'm not moving very quickly. I don't want to not have some kind of schedule for posting on Tapas, but i feel like the pressure is on to have one if you don't want to be lost in the shuffle- but TBQH i don't think Tapas' code works quite right in regards to updated comics anyhow.

I don't want to move off the site- I may have another project here later, but i may compile and post my current project in batches once a month.

Thoughts?

[keii4ii]

Definitely post a schedule. As a reader, seeing a schedule makes me feel that the creator is committed to updating the comic. Conversely, not seeing a schedule makes me wonder if the comic is dead, or if the next update is going to happen maybe 9 months from now. Even if you can only update once a month, that's better than "maybe 9 months"! XD

but TBQH i don't think Tapas' code works quite right in regards to updated comics anyhow.

Why is that? (Are you updating by editing existing episodes, perhaps?)

[CaptainHoers]

Monthly is still a schedule, if that works out for you. Hell, I've known comics where the gimmick is that they only update once a year, and it concentrates the buzz around that time. A schedule isn't mandatory, but it's definitely a good sign to readers that the comic is being taken seriously, as keii4ii said. I would say that the best way to get around not having a set schedule is to have a track record of reliable updates.

Also, +1 for crossposting, I've literally just started up here after years of just posting to Tumblr.

[UncleVlad]

I definitly considered the effect of not having a posted schedule on my already small readership. I may stick to my current schedule for now and change it later if i feel like i need to.
As for Tapas not working quite right- My comic never shows up in the 'fresh' section when updated. Now at first i thought it was just pushed down by sheer volume, but then i noticed projects that hand't updated in months well above my own comic.
I'm not sure if this is an issue on the desktop version, but i have noticed it as an issue with the app.

[UncleVlad]

I like the idea of having more reach by being on a platform like tumblr. its been some time since i've been on the site, but i'm familiar with it and its pretty decent for sharing visual art.
The kids can be bad at sourcing art, but thats another story!

[CaptainHoers]

Oh, it's fantastic for sharing visual art. It's a great compromise between like, the gallery-like structures of DeviantArt and Tapas, and social media structures like Twitter and Facebook, with lots of front-end customisability like a Wordpress or Blogger blog. I actually spent a really long time trying to find a backup that made minimal compromises because I like all of those aspects. These days my concerns with Tumblr are the changing management priorities now that the company is owned by Verizon. Nothing overnight, of course, but I do expect the experience to become less friendly to everyone involved in the years to come.

[SleepingPoppy]

Maybe an obvious suggestion, but have you considered building up a buffer so you can keep a schedule, but have more flexibility when life gets in your way? I think having some kind of schedule is generally your best bet, but you have to do whats going to work for you personally. Mostly if people like a story they'll get on board, just make the plan clear to your subscribers!

My comic never shows up in the 'fresh' section when updated

You should e-mail the staff, or make a topic specifically about it! Don't just suffer silently!

I like the idea of having more reach by being on a platform like tumblr

There seems to be some weird stuff with blogs being flagged as incorrectly as nsfw and posts containing links not being searchable. I love tumblr, mind, just seemed worth noting.

[zigmenthotep]

As has been said, a schedule makes things more convenient for your readers, and the best way to keep on schedule is to be ahead of schedule.

And as for Tapas not working correctly, I have an excuse to share this image.

[UncleVlad]

I work full time, and i just don't work fast enough to build a buffer. I had one to start; as many people do, but its long gone now.

[SleepingPoppy]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the only way a buffer works is if you still take breaks from the comic to build it. If we were fast enough to keep up with the buffer, we wouldn't really need it! But honestly, I have the same problem. Thanks to work my buffer shrinks way to fast.

At the end of the day, you have to do what is comfortable and maintainable to you.

[UncleVlad]

If I change my update schedule- make it the end of the month or something like that- it would give me time to have new pages to post. I think i would make my minimum 4 pages for a monthly update if i can get them done. I feel like too long a break might kill traffic here entirely.
That being said, i could share other art on tumblr along with my comic while people are waiting for pages, and that could generate some cross traffic.

[CaptainHoers]

Not necessarily - a buffer is there to absorb schedule shocks like illness and family/friends events. If you're wearing through your buffer when you're in ordinary time, your update schedule is too rapid. That's what I would think a buffer is there for anyway.

[UncleVlad]

I understand the concept of the buffer guys.