Comic Ratings

[MattRo]

Just a general question for a general discussion. Do you like to keep track of the traffic your comics get? If so, do you get a lot of traffic? How long did it take you to get to that point? Did you do any advertising to get there and if so, what kind?

I just recently looked up the traffic to my comic here and was pleasantly surprised by it. The last time I looked, maybe a month ago, I definitely didn't have the numbers I have this time around. But I'm not entirely sure how I got them. If it's by word-of-mouth, awesome. I only wonder because I get no feedback and was wondering if maybe I should go ahead and add a shoutbox on my comic's page or not. Make it really easy to comment, ya know? Of course I get the typical family/friend/girlfriend responses all the time which are always good ones but hard to take because you know they know you personally.

[Redtech]

I don't get much traffic, I average about 10 readers at any one time but I'm happy and appreciate their interest. Thanks, unknown readers!

I feel that obviously quality=quantity to some extent. I'm a bit niche in art style or story (and I suspect half my readers are waiting for the obligatory sex scene), but quite literally, if you make it, they will come.

As for publicity, message boards are surprisingly useful if you are a member of a community that likes you and that you contribute to, having a signature is an advertisement you're allowed to use (and btw, need help changing yours?) There are paid advertising options, I don't use them. I do plug myself on some link/archive sites like The Webcomic List, The Belfry, Comic Nation etc. Some people really dig those sites and enjoy checking out new comics. Having a weird name helps. Reputation and guilt by association is a powerful tool. Fanarts and giftarts that are GENUINE (don't be a spam whore) are a good way to at least gain some interest. There is a complete thread on the subject somewhere.

I have a shoutbox, but people tend to get a 10:1 readers to comments ratios so I mostly use it to communicate messages, rather than to recieve comments. It's easier to ask for feedback in forums that support it, like...ours?

[McDuffies]

I think that everybody tracks that in one way or another. Even if popularity isn't great concern of yours, it's just natural curiousity to want to know just how many people read your stuff.
I never paid for advertising, did it mostly through forum, fan art and link exchange. Graphic Smash helped some. I probably should have bothered with finding a slot or two on Project Wonderful, but I was too lazy.
Nowadays I don't update so I don't check my ratings either. As soon as I start updating again, I'll probably get on it again.

[Dr Legostar]

i've found that giving fan art out, posting on forums and having your comic in your signiture and simply being seen and linked by bigger comics tends to increase readership.

I pay a lot of attention to my traffic and my ranking as far as CG goes, more attention than I should pay really.

[MattRo]

(and btw, need help changing yours?)

No. My sig picture was a problem in another thread so I changed it to this. Simple and something that people can't complain about. If I feel like changing it I'll do it myself. Thanks though.

[Warren]

It used to be a real scream to check out the stats of stuff I've done. Eventually I looked for a high elsewhere, like experimenting with different styles, or huffing.

But yeah, it's cool too.

[Metruis]

I'm unheathily obsessed with my stats...

ComicRank is kinda fun for that. I apparently have some 150 readers. (shrugs) I've been at it for 6 months and actively trying to advertise. I've exchanged links with a few comics that are in the 1000 readers range, which has helped a little. Wow, I remember when I was surprised to have 50 readers... I'm starting to get notable view spikes on my update days, though. >.>

I have done a bit of paid advertising.

And hey, I'm finally starting to get the occasional random positive comment from people who I DON'T PERSONALLY KNOW!! (glee)

[MattRo]

Yeah, the huffing can be fun, although lately for me I get my kicks beating up 6 year olds for their lunch money.

And hey, I'm finally starting to get the occasional random positive comment from people who I DON'T PERSONALLY KNOW!! (glee)

WOW! What's that like?!

[Dr Legostar]

And hey, I'm finally starting to get the occasional random positive comment from people who I DON'T PERSONALLY KNOW!! (glee)

wait till you get hate mail, that's even more fun.

[Wendybird]

And hey, I'm finally starting to get the occasional random positive comment from people who I DON'T PERSONALLY KNOW!! (glee)

wait till you get hate mail, that's even more fun.

I bet. The semi-rude people just aren't the same.

[Dr Legostar]

And hey, I'm finally starting to get the occasional random positive comment from people who I DON'T PERSONALLY KNOW!! (glee)

wait till you get hate mail, that's even more fun.

I bet. The semi-rude people just aren't the same.

people who violently and inexplicably (at least from your perspective) hate things are hilarious.

[thefirstteam]

people who violently and inexplicably (at least from your perspective) hate things are hilarious.

Oh, if only I had your confidence! Even people who are so angry it's ridiculous are scary to me. -hides- The only hate mail I've ever gotten turned out to be a "joke" from my brother's friends, but I wasn't laughing.

Anyway, I check my stats constantly. I use my Twitter to drive traffic. It doesn't make a huge difference, but it let's the casual readers who don't check regularly know when I've updated. Days when I Tweet every few hours have a lot more traffic than when I don't. Updates that hint at something interesting in the comic are better than one's that just say "new update today!"

I don't know what else to suggest, since I don't get many pageviews myself.

[MattRo]

I love hate mail. The Worms I have coming out this sunday is kind enough, but while I was doing it up I was hoping it would draw SOME sort of hate from somebody. It probably won't though. I don't think I have enough viewers for that yet.

Firstteam, I kind of feel that way too about the updates and letting people know about them, although I have my stuff posted in so many places, if somebody doesn't know I've updated it's their own fault lol.

[Dr Legostar]

i think the best hate mail i got was the guy who was pissed at how arrogant i was for putting the Ph.D. after my name on my comic.

[McDuffies]

That was pretty funny, once you get over being irritated by undescribable stupidity of it.

[Dr Legostar]

That was pretty funny, once you get over being irritated by undescribable stupidity of it.

i liked sending him a really mature e-mail about the whole thing and how he never responded.

[MattRo]

ROFL That is so awesome. God I hate people that don't have the ability to think. I mean, cuz you couldn't POSSIBLY be a real doctor.

[Dr Legostar]

ROFL That is so awesome. God I hate people that don't have the ability to think. I mean, cuz you couldn't POSSIBLY be a real doctor.

oh he didn't doubt the authenticity, he just thought I was an arrogant prick for using it.

[Heart]

ROFL That is so awesome. God I hate people that don't have the ability to think. I mean, cuz you couldn't POSSIBLY be a real doctor.

oh he didn't doubt the authenticity, he just thought I was an arrogant prick for using it.

That just shows how little he knows. You're an arrogant prick for totally unrelated reasons.

[Dr Legostar]

ROFL That is so awesome. God I hate people that don't have the ability to think. I mean, cuz you couldn't POSSIBLY be a real doctor.

oh he didn't doubt the authenticity, he just thought I was an arrogant prick for using it.

That just shows how little he knows. You're an arrogant prick for totally unrelated reasons.

EXACTLY! Having the Ph.D. helps justify it, a little.