So this week, just to give you guys an idea, I released the first full-color page of my comic to LWT. It is easily the best work we've done to date (in my opinion):
On top of that, several very generous people here promoted us (or at least claimed they would) to their much larger audiences. I figured I'd wake up to a substantial difference in subscriptions after this release.
The net result after 48 hours?
-8 subscriptions.
This is the same comic that got 50 subs a DAY for several months.
Also, our "Likes" went up by a few hundred. Something they don't control, because it has nothing to do with the money they have to pay.
You tell me it's not fixed.
One interesting thing I noticed last night. Love him or hate him, PewDiePie released a video discussing essentially the same thing going on with YouTube. They are taking money away from the up-and-comers, and giving more to the big audience people. The reason is because there isn't enough advertising dollars to go around. This is why Tapas' system, while not as profitable (or even close) is more sustainable. Because here, you're depending on the community to support you, rather than advertisers. I suppose you could say that Tapas is to Twitch as LWT is to YouTube.
YouTube has never made a profit, ever. I imagine LWT is much worse.