"Thanks for the subs!" drawings posted on other's walls

[ErithEl]

@Creaux can't like this post enough!

[jonsaintamant]

If you ever happen to subscribe to my comic, I won't post anything.

What I find annoying is the constant creator updates and posts that are always filling up my activity feed. As a creator, I get excited when I see a red number in the activity (heart word balloon) feed, because that USED to mean that I had new subscribers, comments, or likes. But when I find out it's a pointless creator update like, "Hey fans! What's your favorite type of sandwich?" it feels like such a waste of time and notification.

[gateofselidor]

@Creaux I totally agree. I used to hate doing anything marketing-related for my comic because I felt like it would make my work somehow impure and less creative, and I was really put off when I followed a couple of comics that pushed the monetisation and marketing side of things a little too hard and were constantly talking about it and I didn't want to end up like that. As a result, I don't have very many readers, despite getting some very positive feedback from the handful of people who do read it.

The thing that wound up changing my mind was when an illustration I posted to Tumblr got featured on their radar, and suddenly by having my work put in front of other people I got a lot of feedback in the form of likes, reblogs and followers. Although this happened by chance, I also realised that I wasn't going to attract new readers just by sitting back and hoping people might find their way to it browsing Smackjeeves or Tapastic or Tumblr, and I started to make more effort to network with other artists, to tag and post more strategically on social networking sites, and lately I've even tried a little paid advertising. I'm still learning, so it hasn't had a huge impact, but I've definitely noticed a difference in traffic and feedback.

I've also been more open to clicking on adverts that lead to other webcomics, and I've found some great comics that way. I think as long as you're not pushy and spam people there's no shame in a little self-promotion. I'm happy to host thank-you images on my wall, both because it shows the creator is engaging with me as a fan, and because I like their work and I want other people to find and read it.

[Kura]

My comment was directed at the "thank you" posts specifically. The 'I don't know you but please read my comic and subscribe PICTURE LINK' is a whole other type of trash that gets both deleted and reported (if they do it enough, cause some people will just repetitively post it on my wall because they will not see a post they made there because I deleted it and therfor they assume they have not spammed me yet) and that I did not mention in my responses.

It also seems that I have been misunderstood, I would also like to stress that I don't hate the thank you images, I just hate them on my wall. I would like them in private message, or even in a different section on my wall where they did not interfere with me communicating to fans where I post messages/announcements to them, or fans try to post messages to communicate with me. I have no problem with networking, if an artist asks me "hey can I need help getting fans, and your my friend and/or I'm a huge fan of your work, and I was wondering if I could post link to my comic on your page" 99% of the time I will go 'sure go for it' I like being asked, I like ACTUAL COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING. I don't like feeling like I'm spamming people, I don't like feeling like I'm being spammed. We even have laws against uninvited spam in my country. (which honestly only branches out to small independent artists if people are right dicks about it and certain conditions apply, and I don't even get pissed enough at spam from artists trying to advertize their work to go full ******* on that).

I just think it's very rude for other artists to post stuff on my personal feed I use to communicate to fans, uninvited, with a huge image that makes it so their post is the only thing that can be seen. Especially after I post a "Updates will be delayed because ______ for ____ amount of time." Announcement, or even if I just post a "Here fans, have a work in progress or a lovely image I've been working on for hours and wanna share with you" only to have it pushed down with huge "THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING!!" post.

Again, if it did not interfere with my feed, if it could be put somewhere separate, or if I could make sure important announcements stay pinned above it and not have to worry about them getting pushed down and lost (and me getting messages from fans or new fans not seeing that announcement and harassing me about things that were answered directly in that message that was pushed down causing them not to see it) I would not have an issue. In fact it would be the exact opposite, I would be one of the excited "OMG!! I LOVE THE LITTLE THANK YOU IMAGES!!! They're so cute and I just really appreciated that they took the time to do something like that and noticed me as a fan!!!!" I would love getting them as long as they were not INTERFERING AND INTERRUPTING my feed, which is currently the only way to communicate with fans on this site when you have announcements or posts outside of comics to make.

[ErithEl]

I agree with this, actually. This might be getting a little off topic, but...well, what the hell?

It's not as though I am uninterested in what the creators I follow are doing (obviously I am since I chose to follow them), but when I get home and see that little red number over my activity feed, I get really excited...and it can be a bit of a let down when all it turns out to be is "this creator updated this page" and it's the same page that I just read from my reading list LOL.

That, to me, is the form of "spam" we receive here because that feels more like someone else using your personal space to promote their own work. I mean - let's be honest, here - we're all a little selfish when it comes to something we've created. In that sense, I can see where @kurapikasuki is coming from. I've just personally always enjoyed the "thank you" posts because it does not feel the same as spam to me.

[Creaux]

I'm not going to add anything, as this isn't a good format, but I will say that I'm aware a lot of people on this website hold art to some sort of "purity" standard and that's totally not ok. If you don't advertise in some form (thank you images, adspots, posting about it for OTHERS to see), you don't get readers. Not much more to add on that.

[Menbung]

Hi Kura, you can use the "notify susbcribers" option when you need to make big announcements, like "I will be out of the country for a month and unable to update", that way you don't have to worry too much about peeps not seeing what you want to communicate, I don't know if this helps... it doesn't erase the thanks, but that way you make sure all your subscribers can see it when they want and it won't be pushed down, mebbe... XD, say hi to puddin' Oo.oO

[PotooGryphon]

I've taken everything said in this forum post to heart and have really been more aware of the reader's preference might be on Thank you posts. Like for example, if they've been a member on Tapastic for a while, has a good size reading list, and no thank you posts on their wall, I'll private message my thank you to them instead. I've also taken the time to personalize each thank you post by somehow incorporating their avatar image into the image. So far, I've gotten a lot of positive feedback for that. So thank you @Lanu for starting this thread and bring this irritation to our attention so we can be more aware of it. There are more than likely others that feel this way about the posts too.

[Raystah]

Meh, they don't bother me too much :3 I actually like them, they make my wall look pretty and 'active.' I'd rather have a wall filled with loads of 'thankyou' pictures instead of an empty wall or just written messages. That alone would mean a lot, considering how much busy some people's lives are. (it DOES take time to post them on every subscriber you get.)
besides, it's kind of become like an invisible, un-offical etiquette thing in Tapastic, authors don't really know who likes or who doesn't like thankyou's written on their walls. (I wouldn't expect them to knock on your door like 'Hey, can I post a thankyou picture on your wall? xD) it's best to just accept them and perhaps even delete them if they bother you too too much, especially if its just an un-original random panel from their comic x(

[MylCreates]

I don't mind it at all really. I'm actually impressed with some who have over 100 subscribers to still go to each individual to post a thankyou. Some of the more obscure comics like @Kenn's I'm even more impressed by with the custom made thankyous. I'd love to have one made by boxheadstudio but with that many subscribers it'd be impossible. I'll agree that a good number are probably doing it for the hopes of getting noticed by others who drop by your wall, but it's a method that works (as @CyndiFoster noted. I was actually reminded to check out Oops because I'd notice the thankyou's on peoples walls) .

I don't think it should be a wrong-ful shameful thing for an artist to advertise their work, it's something they're proud of and everyone likes a little feedback that the efforts they put into it are not going unnoticed. (kind of like doing a dance you've been practicing for months in the middle of a crowd and no one gives a care, it can be a little heart breaking)

[Jrej]

After reading this, I'm considering making my own thank you for subscribing image.
I love receiving those but I haven't decided yet on mine...

[SpavVy]

I honestly don't have an issue with it, I'm a picky reader so my reading list isn't that big. I actually like having pictures posted on my wall, it makes it look pretty :3 it's the only kind of advertisement I will tolerate on my profile.

[Spinester]

I think it's pretty neat and lots of times I find new comics through them.

[alakotila]

I like the images. I don't want artists to put tons of extra time drawing something special for me -- I know that's time consuming! I want artists to spend time on their comics, not making special asides when even a simple thank you image will do. To those that go above and beyond, I salute you; to those that post simple thank yous, I am still very happy to get them! I am also from inkblazers, and I felt posting the thank you was common courtesy unless the author specifically stated in their profile to NOT post a thank you … otherwise I felt I was ignoring their interest in my work. Surprising, fun conversations can start up from that simple act of just saying thank you.

When I first came to tapastic I was surprised by those images, but a friend taught me about the norms of tapastic and I jumped right in. I am sincerely grateful for every subscriber, and taking out that moment to go to a new reader's profile, read it, and check out their work is fun. As I said, that simple act can be the open door to conversation.

And yes, it can be a way to get new readers. Thanking someone on their wall for their interest is kind of a way to get more exposure, but if you sincerely like that comic, wouldn't you want to help that author get more exposure? For a lot of us word-of-mouth is really our best (and for some, our only) advertisement. The more people that know about our work, the better. Artists, don't ever be ashamed of advertising your comic! Just do it within the norms of the site you belong to -- do not post a thank you every time someone likes or shares an episode; don't spam non-reader's walls with invites to read your comic; don't jump into conversations on other people's walls to advertise your work; so on. Do post in the forums (hey there!), on your own wall, etc.

And yes. I find comics this way. I like fantasy. I draw fantasy. If someone likes my comic, I will check out who else has thanked them! I always make sure I did not thank them already as well so I don't bombard someone with images.

[elixiadragmire]

OK,
I've seen nothing but good from this. 2 peeps were hella surprised to receive a thank you, 1 called me senpai O_O IDK but I loved that they felt appreicated, because they are. And I've received lots interesting comments too, met some awesome people by it

[Wolven_Sister]

(I like these kinds of topics :') Gives me insight on who likes these things or not).
Personally, I LOVE it when creators thank me for subbing to their comic. It initiates conversation, and it lets me know they go through their list and they personally go through each page to thank each person for subscribing to their comic. I really enjoy the artwork creators post; 1.) I love the diversity of the artwork, whether it's a personal drawing they made or a snippet from their comic. I don't care, they still took time to crop out that picture from their comic and place in text (quick work, but it's still the thought behind it, in my opinion) 2.) When visitors visit my wall they can see other artist's work; if they like their style they may like their series. More potential readers for them and build their audience, which helps other creators get that much closer to their goals :')

I made my own drawing to thank people for subscribing, and although it may not be the most ornate picture, I'm not that good with drawing free-hand on my tablet (usually sketch, then scan, then lineart with said tablet) so it took me a good long while to make that sketch and get it just right. I plan on making a new one in the future, but the one currently I use is fine since my series is still in its infancy. And I always type out "Thanks for......" and I always mean it from the bottom of my heart. Then I usually browse through their series, like, comment, or sometimes sub if they're active with it. If they don't have a series, then I look through their reading list.

What I don't like is the "PLZ READ [insert comic title here]!!!!" or "ADD MY COMIC AND I'LL ADD YOURS!?!?!" I feel like that's desperate, ill-mannered, and in poor taste. Luckily it hasn't happened on here yet, but it happened to me on IB all the time :/ Those comments I would hide, or I wouldn't check out their comic at all since they were rude enough to spam on my page instead of politely asking or even PMing me.

[zerobloodyrose]

I think people does it for different reasons. If it's only for self promotion, appreciation for followers or maybe both. I personally don't mind when people post a thank you with a cute picture they've made. The picture itself takes time and so does sending it to every single follower.

[Jobo]

I'm one of those people that will copy and paste my "thank you" image. If I had more free time to create custom images, I definitely would. (and perhaps I will a bit later when the comic becomes less "new" on tapastic.) but here's my thought on it:

I am very sincere when I thank anyone who reads my comic, and before I found this awesome website, commenting to everyone who subscribed was always be bit more difficult. This website makes it so easy to do that. Going the other way around, I would enjoy seeing these posts on my wall as well. it doesn't make me feel particularly special, but hey! the fact that you took the extra 30 seconds to visit my page and see your subscriber is a kind gesture

[Ayumi]

I love these images This is the first comic site I've seen something like that. I don't read so much because of actually spending more time with real life stuff and drawing my mangas, but getting such pictures always cheers me up I don't really know why. Actually it mades me smile even when I take a look at others profiles for doing the same thing, and seeing their wall pics XDD
It also a good idea for getting people notice your comic. First I used an old drawing of mine for Furusato House, and around 2 weeks ago I drew a new one for it, and I realized that after using it, I started to get more subscriber! I think I haven't got as much subscribers on other sites as here, and I'm sure "thank you" pics helped me in it.

[LokeHansen]

I personally think it's awesome to get a thank you image - but endlessly reusing the same standard image is close to spam from my perspective. I'm very new here, and so far i have been thanking my few subscribers with custom made images and animations each time. This is very time-consuming, but there is nothing i would rather spend my time on, than thanking the people that enjoy and share the things i make. I am looking very much forward to the day where i won't be able to thank everyone properly before heading to bed!

In my oppinion it would be awesome enough to get something that isn't unique (or just customized with my username) - if it was something that was made for say - just the subscribers from that day, that episode (etc.).

What matters to me is that the artist / author (whomever it is) show dedication and appreciation - not 100% uniqueness - and most importantly not appearing to use a wall for nothing but self-promotion :/
I'm very curious about following this thread to read more about what everyone else thinks.

Here are some of the things i've posted to subscribers so far (i noticed that some users deleted the images - perhaps they are too flashy!).
Like i wrote, i'm very new here, so i too need to (and want to) learn what feels good for others to see!