Is anyone else finding it hard to get subscribers

[R.n.P]

I'm just wondering if I'm the only one having this problem cuz I haven't gotten a single subscriber this month which is pretty scary for me.
THE LAST SAMURAI

[AnnaLandin]

Gaining subscribers is hardly an exact science, but here are some questions you can ask yourself:

1. Have you updated frequently in the last month? I notice a dip in views/subs during those months when I go on chapter break, because every update is an opportunity to reach new people.

2. Is what is happening in your comic right now, in terms of plot, going to grab people? Are you in the middle of a cool action-scene, or exciting intrigue - or are you just moving your characters from point A to point B? Some things are going to be more attention-grabbing than others.

3. Are you promoting yourself via social media other than the Tapastic-forums? Twitter's a popular hangout spot for webcomic-creators.

4. Finally, are you improving the quality of your comic? No matter how hard or how well you promote a comic, if potential readers go to check it out and are disappointed or underwhelmed by it, they won't stick around. No one is amazing from the start - I know I have more than a few terribly drawn and badly told comics hiding in the dusty recesses of my computer - so all we can do is strive to be better. I had a quick look at your comic, and I can see that your lettering is a bit hard to read sometimes, and it doesn't look like you plan out where the text is going to go before you draw the pictures. For example, there's a panel in your latest episode (the one where there's someone saying "No, I was a ninja too", etc. - and you've had to write the text vertically, so readers have to tilt their heads to read it, because it looks like you didn't think about how much space the text would take up before you drew the panel. You're also missing punctuation here and there - missing question-marks and commas, etc. That can be fixed if you get someone to proof-read your comics, though!

5. It's okay to not gain subscribers every time you update. You keep on doing your comic, and you keep on trying to do better, and value the subscribers you already have! Webcomics is and always will be something you're successful at if you're patient.

[carloswebcomic]

One thing I have learned over the years is what I call "perceived effort". That's the notion that readers react well when they perceive that the creator has put effort into their work.
Understand that this has nothing to do with the actual amount of time and effort a creator has put in, but how much effort the reader thinks went into a piece of work.
Perhaps if you were to put some thought into the presentation of your comic, like how you scan the pages, it could pay off with more subs.

[SamNoir]

My comic Victorian Four isn't setting any records for views/subscribers. But I assume it will take a great deal of time and patience to build readership since it's only a few months old.

I mostly promote on Facebook and Twitter. Does anyone else have suggestions for other social media they find useful for gaining viewership?

[purrlpankras]

Since this new Tapastic update, I've been getting way more than before.
I'm doing the exact same thing I did before though.

But yeah basically what @AnnaLandin said.
I'd say promote it where ever you can. Facebook is good one. if you join comic groups, you can get it out there.
Twitter is okayish. DevaintArt too, post in the groups.

Be consistent with style, update regular and you soon be on your way.

[donathinfrye]

I've definitely seen a significant dip in subscriber growth for my two updates since the Tapas update. But I still feel like I need a couple of more updates to tell if it's a fluke, if it just has to deal with where the story is right now, or if it's just that less eyeballs are seeing my comic pop up in their feeds when they're looking for something to read.

Five updates ago, I gained: 7 subscribers.
Four updates ago, I gained: 11 subscribers.
Three updates ago (a page that I felt was comparatively weak, actually), I gained: 19 subscribers.
Two updates ago (first post Tapas update), I gained: 6 subscribers.
So far, with my update last Friday, I've gained: 4 subscribers.

[jonufele]

This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

[donathinfrye]

Definitely. It's also good sense to take time to observe trends for your work and brand to help inform your decisions on how to improve, grow and reach more people. Obsessing and worrying and getting anxious aren't helpful, but objective observation is super important ... to any artist. Or anyone at all, really.

[KreativeConfusion]

There was a bit of a lull after the update for me. But I think that ws due to the bugs and such, since there were delays in when new people could see updates. However I think it's getting fixed since I got a few subs recently.
But what others are saying are important for the long run. Getting subs takes time, keep updating and letting others know about your comic and you'll get them.

[demthorshie]

Gaining subscribers is not an easy task. I usually only get new subscribers if i've added a page recently and since the recent site changes, i've noticed a slight decline. Your best bet is advertising your comic outside of Tapastic as much as you can and wherever you can using twitter, facebook, tumblr, deviantart, webcomic forums, you name it. Unless your comic is lucky enough to land in the 'Staff Picks' section, getting subscribers is an upward battle for most.

[nochill]

I find it very hard. Mainly b/c I'm new here, but I'm updating consistently(1 page per week. Have not failed to upload on any given week yet) and I got like 1 sub and no comments/likes.
If you wanna read or sub to my series: https://tapastic.com/series/DungeonHeart
I'd greatly appreciate anyone who would read, comment, sub on my work.

[GesuGesu]

I clicked your comic and noticed that there isn't a series thumbnail? Having an attractive thumbnail makes people interested in your work!!

I only started posting 1 month ago, but somehow my subs went up like crazy and I didn't know why.

[GesuGesu]

As for @nochill, I checked out your comic! I'm not sure if you would appreciate critique of it.

[kkitty]

I've gotten a lot of critiques before that are very valid, some of which mention things that could drive away potential readers i.e confusion. But if there's one thing I've always noticed in media and feedback, no one really minds as long as it's enjoyable to read. Mind you that doesn't mean don't fix them, there's always room for improvement, but I've read things with very simple art styles that get so popular because it's funny or grabs my attention.

Clarity and enjoyableness. As long as you have those two, it's easier said than done, but as long as you do you will always gain a good audience. Try having those at the top of your priority next time.

[R.n.P]

How do I set it n how can I make it cool

[AnnaLandin]

@phenomenom9

Step one: go to your Dashboard, click on the Series-tab, and then on the little pencil-button next to your series (marked in red circles here, examples from my own Dashboard view:)

Then scroll down until you reach this part:

I've already got a thumbnail, but if you don't, the box will be empty and you will be able to click on it to upload an image from your computer, as long as it's 300x300 pixels!

As for how to make it cool.... Well, look at the thumbnails of series you like, and try to figure out what about them you think is cool, and then do something like it! Lots of people put the faces of characters in their thumbnails!

[R.n.P]

Oh I do that all the time
Its only on webtoons I don't do that cuz my comic files no matter how i edit is larger than the size limit so i use my comics banner

[SamNoir]

Do people find you take a hit if you take a break to catch up and try and do more detailed, quality work?

We took a longer break after our first story arc, but now have content loaded up until September. I worry though that following our second arc if we take a break, then we will also lose folks.
I've loaded up design content, but will that frustrate folks looking for more story content? is it better not to update than to update with some "bonus" material?

Zip Kramer - Saviour of the Cosmos

[nochill]

Sure. It would definitely help even if it is harsh. Sorry for late response. I was really busy.

[nattbear]

I'm finding it kinda hard to get subs too... There are people reading the pages, but I suppose the slow nature of my storytelling may not be that attractive in the beginning, oh well...