Socializing vs. advertising

[infectedbloodcomics]

In your opinion/experience, which gains more readers: advertising (for example, Project Wonderful or paying ads on specialized websites) or socializing (interacting in forums, commenting on other artist's comics)?

I have a full-time job and no time to spare socializing, so I'm mostly advertising, but I wonder if I'm missing out on something. I did try socializing, some of it was good, some of it was a complete nightmare. Advertising may cost a bit, but it's easy and seems to work, for the most part. Still, I'm curious to hear from everyone else

Thanks!

P.S.: I left out collaborating on purpose. That's another story, even if it involves socializing. I'm much more interested in the above.

[shaneoid77]

I have the social skills of a sci-fi fan, I'm gonna advertise when I get some money

[niinasalmelin]

I feel better while socializing, since it comes more naturally and I want to know other creators.
Advertising goes as far as tweeting when I have new page and so on. I think I should pay more attention on how to do it better (or where to throw my money to make it happen).

Best way is to do them both.

[kambreapratt]

We have done both and paid advertising worked much better for us. I will say Project Wonderful worked much better a few years ago. You might want to consider Google Adsense and direct buy ads (Buysellads.com) I think you have a much broader reach with those. Not to say socializing is bad, honestly I would recommend doing that as well, but for a better return I would advertise.

[AnnaLandin]

A healthy mixture of both is good, I think. Most of my advertising happens via Twitter/Tumblr - but I also use those places to stay in touch with friends, tweet cute pictures of my cat, and tell stories about my frankly surreal hometown.

Advertising gets people's eyes on your comic - socialising makes them stick around. Also, in-person socialising - cons, artist hangouts, etc., - are a good way to find new friends and network, which is also good!

[Kayke]

I've never paid for advertising, so I can't really comment on that... but I do make promotional posts on twitter/tumblr/instagram when I update and stuff, if that counts as advertising.

I love socializing though! Either on social media or in person at cons/events. It's a really great way for me to connect to other creators and also to hear what my fans like or dislike about my work. Come to think of it though, that might also count as "networking" rather than socializing.

[Shanny8]

Mixed bag. Some days I dont mind socializing- other days, it's like pulling teeth...

By nature I'm not exactly the 'outgoing type', but I try to fight the good fight and promote my comics...coz if I dont, who will?

[Michelle]

I'm frugal so I'll always pick socializing over paid advertising. :u You also have to do a lot of research with different advertising platforms to make sure you're getting the most out of your money (run far far away from Facebook's advertising).

While making friends and being social isn't as immediate as putting up ads, I find it to be a lot more effective when a friend or a fan tells others to read my comic rather than me or an ad telling people to check it out. People are more likely to value the opinion of their friends over an ad.

[scullpanda]

Cant get a handle on Twitter honestly have no idea really how to use it properly

[sarrowsmith10]

I'm frugal so I'll always pick socializing over paid advertising. :u You also have to do a lot of research with different advertising platforms to make sure you're getting the most out of your money (run far far away from Facebook's advertising).

I'm too cheap to pay for paid advertising. And the times I do pay for ads (usually printed ones) I find it just gives me an artificial spike in views for the length of the advertising, then views drop to the norm. I've almost never gained an actual fan that way. I find that people are more likely to like your work and be responsive to your work if you are friendly, approachable and active in the community. I think socializing is a much better way to make meaningful relationships with your readers and keep them interested in longer. Helps them recognize your work as something that comes from you. Building your brand so to speak.

I think that's what people like about webcomics. That you aren't some huge marketing corporation (like Marvel/DC) and they can actually interact with you and your work as if you were an actual human being. Let's face it, if you wanted to say something to Marvel, they are never going to read what you have to say or acknowledge your existence.... XD

[LCT_m_a_d]

I feel advertising attracts audience,which is crucial to say the least. Socializing builds a base to your brand. Socializing is really important because it gives your audience a voice allowing them to be a part of your projects growth. Its also a good way to learn what your readers really want. I am also in a similar boat of not having as much time from the 8-5 to produce art as well as engage the audience. I simply do what I can.

[TACOBERTO]

I'd say a mixture of both would be ideal. Bit of advertising, bit of socializing when you can. It's a bit of extra work but advertising gets your work out there while socializing gives your work that needed personality. Readers can get a picture of the creator as a living breathing human being.

[infectedbloodcomics]

Thanks much for your replies!

More about socializing, as some seem to have misread my OP By "socializing", I meant interacting with other creators - and not with readers. I do understand how important it is to build rapport with readers, so I am extremely approachable to them: I always reply to comments, I have a monthly newsletter, I show them previews of my work, I reply to emails, and I have contests for them.

But to be even clearer (and this deviates slightly from the OP, but it's been brought up and I think it's still relevant to the question: how do you get more readers?): interacting with readers online is fine and dandy. In person - no way I was in very uncomfortable situations more than once, so that just doesn't do it for me. If I go to conventions, I'll be anonymous, thank you very much. If it costs me readers, so be it. My own health and privacy are immensely more important.

[demthorshie]

Definitely get better readership from socializing vs. advertising. They're both really effective in my opinion but socializing on platforms like twitter are better for gaining targeted readership, whereas advertising increases the amount of readers overall, whether they be targeted or not. I like to do both, but socializing is free so I do that much more often.