Losing subscribers, BUT

CHMsketches 2016-09-18 00:18:20 UTC #1

Today I lost my first subscriber (It's not a big deal, I know). Of course, I was surprised at first, but, you know what?
After seeing my graphic, I realised that it didn't hit me like I imagined. I'll explain why: because I saw that the loyal ones were still there. I recognized the names of the ones that comments, likes, etc. So I thought that the 'loss' was actually an inactive reader.
So here's my conclusion: you have to take care of those who stay inside, and not those who are out. It's an obvious fact, but also forgettable. And I know that right now it's not that big, but remember this will help in the future.

(This is just a reflexion, a cheer up post )

tzuba12 2016-09-18 00:29:56 UTC #2

Yeah it sucks when you lose subs, but seeing the people you recognize keep coming back for more is always nice. Means you have true fans out there.

Just lost a sub today myself after an update, so funny this topic would get made by someone today lol

Momomori 2016-09-18 00:46:01 UTC #3

I lost a sub once, but then like 2 days later they re-subbed, and I was just wondering why they un-subbed just to sub again 2 days later, it might've been an accident since I see them on most of my pages but it was just a weird story.

SirGutsalot 2016-09-18 02:32:55 UTC #4

Plus you'll find that when you lose 1, you're probably gonna gain 2 - yesterday I was shocked because I lost 2 and then later that day I gained 5... so yeah, it's that sort of game.

Mikayi 2016-09-18 03:17:30 UTC #5

It maybe the same thing that happens to me. I use my phone to read updates and as I try to zoom in I sometimes accidentally hit the unsub button and have to resub if I notice the comic missing.

Although it happens because I like the full sight version the the mobile version because of it not being all that friendly when trying to read and comment/ like.

azureXtwilight 2016-09-18 04:50:11 UTC #6

There is a bright side of this. Tapastic's front page algorithm penalizes comics with a lot of inactive
subs. So when you lose an inactive sub, you have more chance appearing in the front page.

Aspie_Gamer 2016-09-18 05:35:58 UTC #7

People come and go. Its a fact of life.

CHMsketches 2016-09-18 17:56:09 UTC #8

'Penalize'? Wow, really? I didn't know about that! :0

keii4ii 2016-09-18 20:10:05 UTC #9

@CHMsketches Basically, the higher the percentage of your subscribers actively reading, liking and commenting, the higher your chance at making it to Popular/Trending. I'm sure it's not JUST the precentage (haven't seen any comics with 1 subscriber in Trending, though maybe that's because I haven't been looking...) but it's definitely a major factor.

nolongerusestheforum 2016-09-18 20:12:13 UTC #10

Yes, I'm sure it was an accident. Sometimes my Internet connection is really slow, and so I have to hit the Subscribe button more than once for it to actually work, but then sometimes I end up Unsubscribing without realizing it.

Herofeeder 2016-09-18 21:43:44 UTC #11

i was actually glad i lost a sub bcs then i had the opportunity to send my thanks to the new subs "congratz you are the 69th subb on the channel if you know what i mean " TWICE

CHMsketches 2016-09-18 22:02:41 UTC #12

Right, that makes so much sense now XDD

demthorshie 2016-09-19 05:53:19 UTC #13

Congratz on your first loss I guess o.o; heh? It's a fact of life that we will lose readers along the way, it hurts a bit at first but as someone said above, you lose 1 and you'll probably gain like 2 or 3 as a result, no idea how that works but that's been my experience . And yeah, sometimes readers accidentally unsub too, only to resub again later. :3

BlackMantaStudios 2016-09-19 14:49:43 UTC #14

I remember my first unsub was either my 82nd or 83rd. But yes, as you said, it was an inactive sub I lost. I've been losing them left and right from time to time, but I figured that those who stay and take a few minutes of their time to read, like, and maybe comment on my new pages are worth making more comics for. : )

mappypaint 2016-09-19 15:15:26 UTC #15

I'd say it's good for your comic that you lost an inactive subscriber. How I would love the ability to kick out inactive subs since they're just dragging my comics down. You're right! We should take care of the ones that stays and not be bothered by the ones who wants out. Now if we lose a reader then that's a different story. ^u^

GoldenPlume 2016-09-20 05:46:04 UTC #16

We only have 89% of all the people who have subbed to us. Losses are going to happen regardless of what you do or do not do. We lost readers because they expected 20 pages a month.

Louistrations 2016-09-20 12:22:56 UTC #17

I lose several subscribers every time I update my comic. Try not to dwell on that number, I've made some lovely friends from regular readers that leave comments. ^^

allenthomas 2016-09-20 21:31:41 UTC #18

Yeah, I myself have pretty much lost a subscriber for every two I gain. People just come and go.

BiancaLoran 2016-09-21 01:14:32 UTC #19

This has happened to me a few times now actually, I'm not sure what's going on??

BiancaLoran 2016-09-21 01:18:00 UTC #20

This may be wrong, but I've seen the numbers fluctuate A LOT with my subscribers. I'm not sure if it's all that unusual at this point or if it's just my comic ;p
I've actually started to wonder about fake accounts for that reason--I notice accounts that subscribe to way more comics than they could possibly ever keep up with (at least that's how it seems to me??), which has made me question if they aren't fabricated and go around liking all the comics they can but without any follow up or something?
I have no idea, all just speculation.
I was hurt at first when I'd lose a sub, but at this point I've accepted that it just happens and don't take it personally. The people who truly enjoy your comic are the ones that comment and like and you become familiar with and I love that about webcomics