Is Asking People to Like/Comment/Subscribe Actually Effective?

[ButterflyEmpress]

It seems about every YouTuber asks their viewers to do this. I've also seen it at the end of comic episodes and on other social media sites like Twitter and Instagram.

I never really understood why creators do that? I mean, don't avid users of social media already know how? If I like someone's stuff I'm going like/subscribe/follow/etc whether they ask me or not.
Is it some kinda weird subconscious thing? Like, if you ask at the end of your post viewers will go "Oh yeah! I guess I should go do that! I almost forgot!"

For those who ask their audience to like/comment/subscribe/etc, does that actually work for getting an increase of a fanbase? Or is it just the same as doing nothing? I've considered it, but I don't want to seem like a nag. How do you feel about content creators who constantly ask?

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P.S. For clarification, this doesn't include creators advertising merch, patreon/ko-fi, other projects they have, or other social media they use.

[KoreanTacos]

General audience is less likely to do anything if not prompted to. Think of it this way back in the time of old people used to go to these things called movies in a big building called a movie theater. They were used to watching a form of entertainment and that's it, some might tell a friend about it, and others might write a review for it, but there's not an instant gratification for it SO why would anyone do anything after watching a movie, same can be said for a comic book or novel. When you someone finishes a new comic do they instantly send a letter to the creator saying "Hey good job," no they move on with their lives because they already got something out of it.

It's why most people say "like, comment, subscribe" because people are already accustomed to consume and not give back an immediate gratification if that makes sense. If you tell them to do this, they're more likely to respond.

[EEdwing]

I find it works more when the author also adds a cute chibi drawing with it, that's just my point of view I plan on doing it myself once I have the money to commission art from others.

[cherrystark]

As a reader, I think it can be annoying depending on how it's presented. I am trying to grow my fanbase so I recently got a ko-fi account. I am all for supporting artists and if I like what they've done on a page, I'll leave a like. If they've done a great job on the chapter (or asked me to comment), I will leave a comment, but I rarely leave a comment.

I don't know. I don't want to be forced to "like" things or pay extra for regular content, so I don't want to force my readers to do it either. I know everything boils down to statistics, but I don't want to feel like a "statistic". You know? Whenever I read the "like/comment/subscribe" notes I feel like I'm just a statistic.

[RosesnWater]

I just need you to know that you gave me a GREAT idea! Thank you!! ´･ᴗ･`

[joannekwan]

Yeah, I've heard from some readers that the notices do remind them.

I believe the trick is to not do it after every episode, lest it becomes white noise.

I think it's more effective on youtube to do it after every video because 1. it might be the first video a viewer sees from that creator, unlike a webcomic/novel where there's a beginning to start from and 2. it's usually a live face/voice making the reminder so it's more present, as opposed to a static image that can be waved off like an ad if the viewer sees it too often.

[foxnflames]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the notices, like the ad banner if it’s cute. As a creator, we know the importance of those types of engagements so it’s natural to leave little reminders.

Your average reader may not think to like or comment because they’re busy binging or read and on to the next story. I like getting likes because it’s that little extra effort letting me know they like my work. And of course, comments telling me how much they like it make my day (even if it’s feedback). If it comes to begging for likes, then that can be annoying.

[ButterflyEmpress]

@KoreanTacos @Beuliji @joannekwan @foxnflames
I never actually thought those reminders actually helped. It's making a lot more sense now since people are kinda quick to move on to the next thing, causing oversight. I may end up trying it out on my next chapter.

[Jenny-Toons]

I've found more success talking in my Creator Note. I do have some of those notes after updates, but I also express my feelings about each update in the CN. Lot of times, people seem to really dig it and comment on that -- while also leaning into their own feelings.

Overall, a lot of the notes that pulled me in had personality to them -- especially ones that had the characters delivering the note.

[Tanako]

believe it or not it actually does remind them just like @joannekwan said. Personally it won't hurt to tell them to do so. if you thing about it, AD's do the same thing. wether consciously or subconsciously. I personally don't see anything wrong with it not that I'm saying you do or. but it does help.

[Penni]

I typically don't post anything about leaving a heart or comments anymore, however, what I do try to do is add questions in the author's note box. Open-ended questions (something that requires more than a yes or no answer). Or offering something about myself to give a gateway into some engagement.

I have found a bit more success with that method, plus it's fun to see people's responses!

I don't see anything wrong with leaving a reminder! I have seen plenty of successful series do that. Though I would be concerned about people getting used to constantly seeing it and therefore, not giving it a lot of thought after a while. For me, giving a comment or a like is engrained in me lol

[foxnflames]

I don’t do it often because, like other said it can be tiresome to see from a reader’s standpoint.

But I also do as others have said and ask questions in the author’s note, and sometimes I get people to comment. But I have a good number of people who comment, even if it’s to say that they liked it.

And I love the bingers who spend consecutive days reading and liking