Why do you guys do sub for sub? (And why I don't.)

[snailienz]

I see it all the time in here, and I get the appeal. More subs means more reader right? You help me I help you.

Except...you are both hurting eachother!

The algorithm like views. Views and likes. Subcount is second banana. So if you have 5000 subs and like 500 of those read the comic actually....your stats are bad. The system won't see you as popular.

It's better to make a "like for like" or a "comment for comment" system. That will boost you without risking a dead subscriber ruining your stats.

That's why I only sub to comics I know I will eventually get to reading. I don't want to hurt someone's stats. I also don't want subs from people who don't really like my work! I'd rather you comment you hate it than sub to it without reading it.

[domisotto]

A few reasons.

I like finding the actively updating novels that I can follow in the same genre as mine. Their readers see my comments. My readers see theirs.

So, I do sub for sub with those writers. A lot of those works I continue to follow. From similar works, I would rather pick those by the writers who could become interested in mine. Some, I just want to support because they are good stories, not getting enough attention.

You need a min sub count to start showing up on the app section in Fresh. So, it is beneficial to get a few first subs right away, to have more eyes on the story from the app ASAP

In certain genres, sub for sub will help you get into popular section that increases the chances to be noticed by readers.

[cherrystark]

I generally sub if I'm interested in the story after a chapter or two and genuinely want to keep reading. I also like to try and support the newer writers when I can. Sometimes I'm really bad at keeping up with the reading, but I do want to read more of what's on my reading list.

The algorithm like views. Views and likes. Subcount is second banana. So if you have 5000 subs and like 500 of those read the comic actually....your stats are bad. The system won't see you as popular.

Subs are important because you need to reach the milestones to be profitable. However, reads/likes are more important. If I don't feel like sub to a series, I'll definitely give them the reads to boost their stats.

[therosesword]

I try to find subscribers outside of Tapas from my webpage or FB etc. I find that sometimes someone subscribes and reads one or two chapters and then nothing after that. So to me it's not really a subscriber. The subscribers I get outside of Tapas are the full story readers (so far) with the exception of one guy that spent a weekend reading almost absolutely everything I have up (the really long ones not yet).

Write hard, write true.

[CttMaurice]

You need a min sub count to start showing up on the app section in Fresh.

You need what? I thought that it would simply put it up there regardless? By any chance do you know the minimum sub count to start showing up on fresh?

[Freemints30]

Um no you show up in fresh regardless of sub count. There many in the fresh section with 0 subs, that's generally how you get your first few subs. By them finding you on fresh.

[milejdyvan]

You show up in fresh immediately on PC, but not on app.

[Freemints30]

Seriously? never use the app, but like where is that info? seems rather lame.

[milejdyvan]

I'm simply basing that off of my experience, though tbf I haven't been checking this stuff much lately since I was too busy. Maybe they changed it? But I do know that before you wouldn't see zero subbed stories on app.

[domisotto]

You will automatically show on the web, but in app you have to have minimal number of subs or min number of chapters. It is anti spam measure. I don’t know the exact number. It is not that high, but substantial for new starts who only rely on Fresh for exposure, like 10 or so.

[Dogss]

I agree that sub for sub is not really an ideal way to go about it. I want subscribers who like my work, not who subbed out of obligation. In the same vein, I only sub to stories I want to read. A "like" for "like" is a better system but at the same time... I still only want people liking it if they really like it!

When I have subs, I want a good chunk of them to be active and enjoying the content. That helps my work grow. I want to know that most people are subbed because they like the work.