Who’s Your Comic’s Target Audience?

[shaneoid77]

I'm in the same boat as @Down_the_Rabbithole, I think of my comic as aimed at general Superhero fans. Maybe 16+ due to suggestive content. Night Twink may also have an appeal to the LGBT audience, or people looking for something different from the BL scene. Maybe it's a thing with Webcomics, as you're best off doing something you love yourself, and see who it works for beyond that, demographics aren't going to be such a big thing. Just a thought.

[agentfink]

Not really a target audience in mind, I'm writing what interests me. As far as audience, I have no idea how young it starts, but I know the range of mid 20's to 30's and up like what I'm doing.

[Doubtcent]

Just as you've noticed, being lighthearted and comedic has a place for everyone, not just kids and young women.

For my own comic, I just hope to hit anyone willing to read it. I really don't know who would like it, because I certainly do, and that's really all that matters in creating anything. If anyone wants to join in with me, go ahead! I'm all for it.

The only thing though that I tend to shoot for is "could I show my kids this"? I try not to be vulgar or use profanity, so that I can be experienced by all ages. I really don't know what group I'm specifically shooting for.

[spadesart]

i write stories i would want to read tbh

[R.n.P]

My target audience are action comic and shonen manga fans but when it comes to age I guess I'm targeting audiences from about13 years old and above
But people that like comics about adventure would probably like my comic too I guess since its featured in a fictional earth with different n unique societies and environments
THE LAST SAMURAI

[dojo]

Mine are 100% just created for me. When I worried about what the audience might think I found I wasn't getting anywhere with it. But when I started using it to cope with stuff and found it was actually helping, I dove in headfirst. Knowing that there's others out there who might be able to relate on some level is just a bonus. (So I guess in a way mine are geared at people who have also gone through similar heavy things that I don't see often get addressed in the media world)

[VermillionWorks]

Daniel is for whomever can tolerate gore, horror, and vampires. XD It's pretty clear it's not for kiddies, but other than that I don't really care.

I created Grassblades because that's the story I wanted to tell. I didn't particulary worry about target audience when I started out.

This. I knew it would be for a adults though. XP With horror I kind of...don't consider holding back an option, so making it for teens or something didn't even cross my mind.

[shazzbaa]

I guess I'd say "it's created for me" but not in the sense that I don't care about audience; more in the sense that I tend to imagine the audience as just, a whole bunch of me's, and that's who I'm writing for. So, I do think of a hypothetical audience and imagine whether or not they'd enjoy it while I'm writing, but the question essentially turns out to be "would I enjoy this if I were reading it?"

A few years ago, I was trying to figure out why I had sold way more books at this big anime con than I had at a big indie con that same year (weird, since my comic is not remotely manga), and the best explanation I could think of was the age of the audience -- indie cons tend to attract a slightly older crowd, while anime cons have a lot more teenagers. I thought about it and realised Runewriters probably is targeted at people a bit younger than I am now; like I'm writing a story to my highschool self.

[respheal]

I'm also in the camp of "I wrote this story because I want to read it." I came up with this story when I was 18-ish, and at that time I was mostly interested in seinen manga (still am). So it makes sense that, when I check out Google Analytics, it breaks down like:
73% male
53% 18-24 years old
27% 25-34
Unintentionally, I wound up creating a "target audience" that consists of bunch of people with similar interests.
So yeah, even if you're creating something for yourself, there's still an audience that's more than just you, because there's gonna be tons of people with similar interests who might not have the time or patience to create a story themselves.

[RueCalintz]

I'm in your reading demographic, not target one. I like the colouring and art, feels natural. Most comics colouring now are just done through photoshop.

And as to why your comic skews toward that demographic as opposed to female or kids, not sure. Your comic spends quite a bit of time establishing atmosphere, thus possibly pushing away the kids, I would hazard a guess on the female demographic based on what I've seen elsewhere around the net, but nah.

[phen]

I love seeing that a lot of solid indie webcomic creators are spurred on to create in order to appease themselves. THAT IS SO CRUCIAL and probably just the way things swing when you're an indie creator. It helps to be genuine, to present your work as if you've gotta win over your toughest audience (invariably yourself)!

So yeah, of course my work is mainly created to challenge and give introspect to myself. However, I think outside of that my target demographic would be late teens/early adulthood. There's No Such Thing as Jason revolves around issues of apprehension in placing your footing as you cross the "real world" threshold. This as a target came about from the first story, as I was writing on prompt to siphon things through a different perspective.

So getting at different perspectives has been so awesome as the comic reaches different people in different ways. I MUST get a proper website dedicated to it, I really wanna experiment with Google Analytics~!

[Greg_Dickson]

Don't Be A Hero is made for an audience with more wild, fantastical imaginations. My work is pretty bizarre, while still having a good emphasis on writing/dialogue/character development/plot. Basically, it's for the action fans who want to see over-the-top fights and situations, sprinkled with humour. I mean, where else are you going to see fights involving a guitar-playing necromancer, a Canadian robot werewolf, a man that's a bottle of beer, and so forth? I really do create the series for myself, because I want to write/draw what I'm personally really invested in. I realize that a large percentage of people want more grounded, serious stories, but I'm happy to appease the people who do want something nutter butters.

[Quinineer]

Huh. I dunno.
I think I mostly made Faery Tales to indulge myself in drawing pink hair and fight scenes.

[NickRowler]

I honestly have no idea...like seriously.

Which was always sort of my concern with Crow's Worth.
I think I have sort of a mix bag. I don't think I get many younger teens tho, so my guess it 17 and older for the age. I get both males and females.

Honestly, I am just writing what I want to write. If my current audience doesn't like that I have a future chapter about a 40 year old pansexual man discussing his feelings, then they are free to unfollow. I want to write something I enjoy because for the most part, I feel like it helps me cope and address my feelings. Some people might be OK with this, some not, and if that means I never break 100 followers, then so be it.

[jurinova]

If I had to pick I'd say my target audience was adults who like character driven stories. I guess? I honestly have trouble putting labels on my comic, so it's difficult to know who it actually appeals to.

But to be honest, I never thought I'd have an audience. I started my comic purely as my own pet project with only my own interest in mind. I know I could've easily started drawing a comic that could draw in a larger audience but all I really wanted was to create something on my own and for myself. An outlet for my creativity, I suppose. However as I've gained readers I've been really happy that I decided to make this project public. It feels great to know that there are those who enjoy the fruits of my labour.

[UrMom]

I just draw my comic for me, target audience isn't something that comes to mind. I guess if I were to think about it, a mature audience who likes more downer stories would and can handle some graphic violence? That and people who are fine with lgbt+ characters.
That is the audience I assume I would have, but so far I observed most of my followers are 'bl' fans, most between 15-30. The theme of my comic is about a gay guy trying to get his friend back, so the reader demographic isn't all that surprising. Gay main normally equals gay romance, after all.

[Tieback]

. Your comic spends quite a bit of time establishing atmosphere, thus possibly pushing away the kids

That's funny what you mentioned about my comic taking time to create atmosphere. It's true, but I never thought that might be a deterrent for children. Good observation, and thanks for replying!

[Aspie_Gamer]

@Tieback I don't think of a target audience when I write and draw Life of an Aspie. People who either are or know somebody on the spectrum will get the most out of LoaA, but again, I don't think of a target audience. Rather I believe in people liking good stories regardless of their content.

[Kura]

Whoever happens to be interested in it

[celliz8608]

My target audience for Amor-I is males and females ages 7+. The main genre is Sci-Fi but it has elements of superheroics, drama, and highschool drama so a bit for everyone.

SFC is for wrestling and MMA fans that are 7+. The superpowers is to add an extra element to the series.

Piece Of Me is a Rated R superhero comedy. It's kind of like Keeping Up WIth The Kardashians meets Supergirl. Wierd meeting but a fun story.

Quite Paranormal is a teen drama so 13+. If youre into Buffy or Lost Girl this is perfect for you.