Potential New Tapas Feature? (Suggestion)

[LyliClovis]

Hi guys!

First of all, I love Tapas and it's platform, and one of its main draws to me is the ink support option.
I was wondering if in the future, it would be possible for people to donate some ink to get access to episodes earlier.

For example,
I schedule my next chapter/page a week or couple days ahead of time, and those who donate 100 ink can access it early. Then when it's scheduled to be publicly published, anyone who wasn't able to donate can still read it for free. And repeat.

I think this might be a good incentive to get people to make more buffer pages + have more frequent updates. The idea just popped into my head yesterday, but I wasn't sure if it was mentioned before, so I thought I'd suggest it, even if it's not picked up!

Also,
Shameless self-promo of my comic here :'')
tapas.io/episode/1414653

Thanks for reading!

[Rodimus13]

I wouldn't mind this as long as I could opt out of it for my series.

[KRWright]

I like this idea as well. It's not like you're holding readers to ransom for subs, and you're just offering to allow them to read ahead. Right now, it seems most artists and novelists go onto Patreon to offer similar rewards. Seems like it'd be better if Tapas could keep that potential moolah in-house though.

[LyliClovis]

I was thinking this too!
Most people go to Patreon if they want early access, but I'm sure it can bring Tapas more revenue, too with this model. I dunno, I just thought it would be neat. :>

[Allyx]

This is actually the system Webtoons uses for their featured comics. As far as I know, it's effective because there's a lot of comments from people who have bought episodes early. I think that would be a great idea!

[BobbyjoeX]

to Tapas, if you are not a premium author, you shouldnt have that luxury

[Allyx]

Why shouldn't you have that capability if you aren't premium? Many creators already give early access to chapters on Patreon, but it would be much easier for readers to get the content directly from Tapas. And besides, it would benefit Tapas as well because readers would be spending and buying more ink.

[mrtoontastic]

I like this idea. I'd love to give some people chapters or stories early just so the wait isn't that long for them.

[BobbyjoeX]

its because we, as free to read creators are not really making Tapas money, so we are not at a high priority

it is the truth but watch someone tatle on me to a mod and the mod comes marching in here and talk to me like im fucking 5

[Allyx]

I understand that we aren't a super high priority, but it would still be a nice feature to have, in my opinion. Whether or not the Tapas team decides to implement it is a different question entirely.

I don’t mean to say the Tapas team doesn't care, either. I just think trying to listen to the opinions of everyone is a big job, and so there have to be some priorities.

[BobbyjoeX]

thats the reason they wont do it, because it is a good idea

actually, Tapas already has it (the wait to read feature), but again.,.. only for the PrEmIuM cOmIcS

[Jenny-Toons]

Well, what would you suggest would be a better idea for a new Tapas feature?

I personally like the idea of expanding this feature away from just Premium Comics and give others a chance to do so. Course, I can see the possible backlash with some readers, but that's a bit expected (at least in my eyes). Can't please all of the readers.

But, if you feel this wouldn't be a good feature, what new features would you personally like to see?

[BobbyjoeX]

tbh that right there, quit putting the premium shit on such a high pedistool and let the smaller guys get some of those features. thats the main reason i seem hostile to Tapas is because they showed many times that they kinda don't care about the free to read section

[vfinnigan]

I would like if I could schedule more than one page ahead of time.

[Allyx]

Are you not allowed to? I'm not entirely sure if comics are different, but I can schedule several episodes at a time for a novel. I just keep making episodes and scheduling them for later times.

[Kura]

We used to be able to do this (not exactly with ink, but with the tip/support system before they removed that to add teh ink system)

I really miss being able to do that and I'm really sad they haven't put the option back.

[eleoza]

yeah I heard about it, it was before I joined tapas, but the system they had back then did sound great.

[punkarsenic]

its because we, as free to read creators are not really making Tapas money, so we are not at a high priority

i feel like this kinda negative, oppositional perspective is reductive and unhelpful

its worth remembering that tapas used to have a universally accessible support system that included unlockable episodes, so its not entirely off the table

but also, if they give the exact same earning mechanics to the community creators as to premium creators - and premium is the wrong word imo; theyre not superior, the difference is theyre on the payroll - it creates an issue where the payrolled creators are investing more (they have contracts, there are rights negotiations, idr what else) but getting the same stuff out of it, or where tapas is investing more into payrolled creators (i dunno how theyre paid? per page? per unlock?) than community creators, but for the same earning potential.

i dont think this is a terribly well-phrased argument, im tryna remember what ive heard @LordVincent say about the difficulties with opening up payrolled features for community creators, though he can prolly put it better than me

THAT SAID,

tbh that right there, quit putting the premium shit on such a high pedistool and let the smaller guys get some of those features. thats the main reason i seem hostile to Tapas is because they showed many times that they kinda don't care about the free to read section

im actually gonna slightly side with you here. i dont wanna be hostile to tapas (esp not on a site they own, and bc i do like them as a platform) but of course theyre increasingly prioritising the things that earn them the most money. theyre a business under capitalism, this is totally natural and the only way they wouldnt sink, so i dont necessarily blame them, but i agree that it disadvantages beginner creators and de-prioritises quality while prioritising bankability. art under capitalism is a sad, sad state. but to change this, its not about getting the tapas staff to ~care about small creators (ftr we are all small creators here, payroll or no payroll), but about restructuring the system so that profit isnt a central goal.

that said, tapas isnt the worst when it comes to prioritising paid content (yet). they still pick up home grown creators to make premium series, for example.

also

I would like if I could schedule more than one page ahead of time.

i have updates scheduled til mid july?

[therealbereth]

I think there's a difference between caring about smaller creators—and offering them money.

If Tapas truly did not care about us "small fries", why would they put free content in the spotlight? Why would they put it into Staff Picks, the Daily Snack? Why bother putting our free trending content RIGHT NEXT to paid content, so all you have to do in the app is: swipe? It is apparent that the Tapas team does indeed care.

They just don't earn money with smaller creators.

I think the key in shirking negativity towards the team here would be to untie financial gains from the idea of success or being cared about. Because these are two different things that can, but don't have to go hand in hand. Coming from Wattpad, I know what it feels like when a team has stopped caring about all of its creators. Tapas is not even remotely the same. It's not ideal perhaps, yes. But outright claiming they don't care because it doesn't suit your personal (financial) needs? Uh.

---

That said, a system like @imLucian proposes does sound interesting, especially if it once was part of this site. But, yeah: what would be the upside in applying for premium, then, once you have the needed following (and a finished draft if it's a novel)? I think having a support system to begin with—and offering even smaller fries like myself to unlock it early!—is something that already shows Tapas' appreciation for what all creators bring to the table here.

[punkarsenic]

If Tapas truly did not care about us "small fries", why would they put free content in the spotlight? Why would they put it into Staff Picks, the Daily Snack? Why bother putting our free trending content RIGHT NEXT to paid content, so all you have to do in the app is: swipe? It is apparent that the Tapas team does indeed care.

very true, i think i neglected to mention that bc i just havent been paying much attention to the tapas front page recently, so i wouldnt be able to make a solid argument. its also in tapas' best interest to nurture and encourage its homegrown creators, as theyre a great big pool to scout talent thatll keep tapas afloat in the long run

i still think it is true that tapas prioritises paid content, but this isnt due to the moral failings of anyone on staff. if they dont prioritise the work that earns them money, the company goes under and nobody gets paid. and thats bad and leads to neglecting some great art, but its a problem that reaches beyond the power of anyone on the staff.