I hope Penny-Arcade gets in on this and links me.
*Ahem*...anyways, I don't know if I'll link each time I update, but I'll try to do it more often.
As for people saying there's no point in this because they have link pages...a text link attached to a comic sending people somewhere with a little explanation of why you like that site gets far more clicks than a button on a links page.
Announcing The Webcomic Word of Mouth Project.
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Mo
- Cartoon Villain (GTC)
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Everyone knows that Sixpack is the real bastard elite clique! 
I will not put up any new links until I have an amount of readers that'd make it worthwhile for the comic being linked, really. Right now, it wouldn't be helpful at all.
Not mentioning the fact I haven't updated in a while and not sure when I will....
But I do like the general idea of this.
I will not put up any new links until I have an amount of readers that'd make it worthwhile for the comic being linked, really. Right now, it wouldn't be helpful at all.
Not mentioning the fact I haven't updated in a while and not sure when I will....
But I do like the general idea of this.
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CaptainClaude
- Witty British President
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There's elitism there, theres more of it here. Get the hell over it. We do what we do for fun, thats it, same as here.
As for the topic of the thread, I think is an absolutely wonderful idea, and when I can think of the proper way to plug it, I will. Webcomics are a wonderful thing that people really can't read enough of to satisfy my crazy way of thinking.
Thats why I like the CG community. There's always a new comic for me to read, SOMEWHERE. :3
As for the topic of the thread, I think is an absolutely wonderful idea, and when I can think of the proper way to plug it, I will. Webcomics are a wonderful thing that people really can't read enough of to satisfy my crazy way of thinking.
Thats why I like the CG community. There's always a new comic for me to read, SOMEWHERE. :3
Caught in the headlamp glare of your own blinding vanity/Mesmerised by the stare of your shallow personality
Gorging the junk food of flattery you drag your fat ego around/Everyone floored by the battering you give to whoever's around
Oh Narcissus you petulant child admiring yourself in the curve of my eyes/Oh Narcissus you angel beguiled unsated by self you do nothing but die
Gorging the junk food of flattery you drag your fat ego around/Everyone floored by the battering you give to whoever's around
Oh Narcissus you petulant child admiring yourself in the curve of my eyes/Oh Narcissus you angel beguiled unsated by self you do nothing but die
I try and link my fair share of comics, but I don't know if i would be able to do so with every update as I like to skim through them a little first.
That said its fairly easy to get onto my links page, either I stumble upon the comic, review the comic, am assisted by the comic, linked by the comic, or even asked to be linked by the comic zam. Unless I can't link it for rating reasons or inapropriate content, really only if the comic is pornographic or racist or something like that, its easy to be linked by me.
If I were a more talented artist and with more time, more so because of the later than the prior, I would create more guest and fan art.. but if I'm asked for it i will set it as my priority.
That said its fairly easy to get onto my links page, either I stumble upon the comic, review the comic, am assisted by the comic, linked by the comic, or even asked to be linked by the comic zam. Unless I can't link it for rating reasons or inapropriate content, really only if the comic is pornographic or racist or something like that, its easy to be linked by me.
If I were a more talented artist and with more time, more so because of the later than the prior, I would create more guest and fan art.. but if I'm asked for it i will set it as my priority.
News section definitely sounds like the way to do this but that still leaves me out due to the fact that I have no news to put in it: I figure my readers neither need nor want to hear about my personal life or my complaining about drawing. And anything strip-specific gets put in the archive.cjburgandy wrote:I think it's very good to promote comics that read on a regular basis and maybe, announce to your readers when you have a new find. I know a lot of people have a "news" section on their front pages.
I just normally assume people want to be linked to--or at least feel neutral about it. Maybe I'm wrong about that.warofwinds wrote:I'm looking for some more people to link. . . . send me a PM or somesuch.
"Yeah, that's the bridge pier (expletive). I thought it was the center. Oh (expletive)." ~ From the transcript of the recording device on board the ship which struck the San Franciso Bay Bridge last year, causing a 50,000 gallon oil spill.
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MinekaC.
- Regular Poster
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I'm not adverse to promoting comics I enjoy reading, but what with dial-up, even finding said comics is hard.
Not to mention few enough of my scant readers actually read my text blurbs anyway. But I'm not against making a small plug to anyone who want's it, I'd just honestly state whether or not I'd read the comic or not.
I think it's a nice idea to help everyone out, but in all honesty, that is really what the links pages are for. If someone enjoys yer comic enough to check out the links you find worthwhile, I think that's really the best you can hope for.
*shrugs* But then I'm an idiot, so kindly disregard all that's above as simply space filler and an idiot speaking their mind. Therefore, easily disregarded.
Not to mention few enough of my scant readers actually read my text blurbs anyway. But I'm not against making a small plug to anyone who want's it, I'd just honestly state whether or not I'd read the comic or not.
I think it's a nice idea to help everyone out, but in all honesty, that is really what the links pages are for. If someone enjoys yer comic enough to check out the links you find worthwhile, I think that's really the best you can hope for.
*shrugs* But then I'm an idiot, so kindly disregard all that's above as simply space filler and an idiot speaking their mind. Therefore, easily disregarded.
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Joel Fagin
- nothos adrisor (GTC)
- Posts: 6014
- Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 1:15 am
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As an aside, the thing that really irritates me sometimes is the constant links to comics like Penny Arcade on the front page of comics.
I mean... Why? Even if it's your favourite comic, what's the point? Anyone who knows about webcomics will find it eventually and there are much more needy (and worthier) comics to be linked.
The links page can be your favourites. The front page is advertising space and comics like PA don't need it and won't appreciate it.*
- Joel Fagin
* Not in a mean way. Just, you know, because it's drop in the bucket.
I mean... Why? Even if it's your favourite comic, what's the point? Anyone who knows about webcomics will find it eventually and there are much more needy (and worthier) comics to be linked.
The links page can be your favourites. The front page is advertising space and comics like PA don't need it and won't appreciate it.*
- Joel Fagin
* Not in a mean way. Just, you know, because it's drop in the bucket.
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Bustertheclown
- Cartoon Hero
- Posts: 2389
- Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 9:17 pm
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Responding to the Matt Johnson quote:
Are webcartoonists really all that guilty of not caring about the community they're a part of? Frankly, I don't see it that way. A thriving community has differing levels of participants. Some are more civics oriented, some would rather just mind their own business. I don't see apathy in the way that the webcomics community works. Quite the opposite. When I look around, I see cartoonists on the web supporting each other all the time. That an artist, established or not, could even feel he had the opportunity to call for guest strips or moral support from forums like this shows a sense of community. If fellow artists were so cloistered, then they would neither ask for or respond to such requests.
The way I see it, webcomics are a sort of movement. The problem is that, when you're in the movement, you don't often see beyond the group of people immediately around you. Just because there's only a few in your particular group, which you may maintain a certain amount of contact with, doesn't mean there aren't others beyond your view influencing you and being influenced by you without your knowledge. In that way, those in the center and those skirting the edges will always be connected in some way.
On a different level, I'd rather see webcartoonists working hard at creating the best work they can, rather than working at alliances or advertising schemes. Strictly speaking, you're not really talking about a word of mouth campaign, anyway. What you're talking about is an endorsement campaign. They're two completely different creatures. Fellow cartoonists are insiders. Insiders talking about their favorite comics are endorsements. To the audience, it's an expert opinion (as a creator, you are automatically relegated to the level of 'expert' in the eyes of your viewer, whether you feel that way or not) and an expert is supposed to have more weight to it than an average opinion.
Add to this the fact that the webcomic community is very open for communication between audience and creators. You, as a fan have a multitude of ways to get in contact with your favorite comic's creator. You as a fellow creator have a further in. This is networking. People in the same business talking to each other about the products of their business, which leads to better opportunities for both, including the listing of links to other comics on the front page of one's site. Again, endorsement. "I know the guy, I like the guy. I think the guy does good work. Go have a look!"
Word of mouth doesn't work that way. The best word of mouth campaigns can't be engineered. The weight of influence is not based upon the opinions of one or few people. Rather, the weight of influence has shifted to many voices recommending the same thing. Word of mouth campaigns act organically. They may begin with endorsements, but they do not end there.
Perhaps, though, I'm being too semantic about this. I just feel that the burden should not be placed on the connection between artists to draw an audience. The merit of the work, and the involvement of the artist with his own viewers has proven to me to be the best and most engaging way to gain an audience. If I'm looking for hits to my site, I'm looking for a popular success. I shouldn't really care about whether it's a critical success, which means I shouldn't really care if other artists or comic bloggers like my work enough to talk about it to their own readers.
Networking is certainly a good thing, but it's only a crack in the door. It's up to the artist himself to commit to opening the door and charging through. The most successful webcomic creators often don't participate in community projects because they're often just too busy working their asses off promoting their own stuff. They don't have time to play schill for the works of others. They're not going to get more hits by sending people away from their sites, and, if they're doing their job right, people will be sent to their site even if they aren't making cooperative promotional agreements with other artists.
It's the pack mentality. It might be well enough to make the kill working as a group, but when it comes to sharing in the spoils, it's not equal sharing. It's every dog for himself.
Are webcartoonists really all that guilty of not caring about the community they're a part of? Frankly, I don't see it that way. A thriving community has differing levels of participants. Some are more civics oriented, some would rather just mind their own business. I don't see apathy in the way that the webcomics community works. Quite the opposite. When I look around, I see cartoonists on the web supporting each other all the time. That an artist, established or not, could even feel he had the opportunity to call for guest strips or moral support from forums like this shows a sense of community. If fellow artists were so cloistered, then they would neither ask for or respond to such requests.
The way I see it, webcomics are a sort of movement. The problem is that, when you're in the movement, you don't often see beyond the group of people immediately around you. Just because there's only a few in your particular group, which you may maintain a certain amount of contact with, doesn't mean there aren't others beyond your view influencing you and being influenced by you without your knowledge. In that way, those in the center and those skirting the edges will always be connected in some way.
On a different level, I'd rather see webcartoonists working hard at creating the best work they can, rather than working at alliances or advertising schemes. Strictly speaking, you're not really talking about a word of mouth campaign, anyway. What you're talking about is an endorsement campaign. They're two completely different creatures. Fellow cartoonists are insiders. Insiders talking about their favorite comics are endorsements. To the audience, it's an expert opinion (as a creator, you are automatically relegated to the level of 'expert' in the eyes of your viewer, whether you feel that way or not) and an expert is supposed to have more weight to it than an average opinion.
Add to this the fact that the webcomic community is very open for communication between audience and creators. You, as a fan have a multitude of ways to get in contact with your favorite comic's creator. You as a fellow creator have a further in. This is networking. People in the same business talking to each other about the products of their business, which leads to better opportunities for both, including the listing of links to other comics on the front page of one's site. Again, endorsement. "I know the guy, I like the guy. I think the guy does good work. Go have a look!"
Word of mouth doesn't work that way. The best word of mouth campaigns can't be engineered. The weight of influence is not based upon the opinions of one or few people. Rather, the weight of influence has shifted to many voices recommending the same thing. Word of mouth campaigns act organically. They may begin with endorsements, but they do not end there.
Perhaps, though, I'm being too semantic about this. I just feel that the burden should not be placed on the connection between artists to draw an audience. The merit of the work, and the involvement of the artist with his own viewers has proven to me to be the best and most engaging way to gain an audience. If I'm looking for hits to my site, I'm looking for a popular success. I shouldn't really care about whether it's a critical success, which means I shouldn't really care if other artists or comic bloggers like my work enough to talk about it to their own readers.
Networking is certainly a good thing, but it's only a crack in the door. It's up to the artist himself to commit to opening the door and charging through. The most successful webcomic creators often don't participate in community projects because they're often just too busy working their asses off promoting their own stuff. They don't have time to play schill for the works of others. They're not going to get more hits by sending people away from their sites, and, if they're doing their job right, people will be sent to their site even if they aren't making cooperative promotional agreements with other artists.
It's the pack mentality. It might be well enough to make the kill working as a group, but when it comes to sharing in the spoils, it's not equal sharing. It's every dog for himself.
"Just because we're amateurs, doesn't mean our comics have to be amateurish." -McDuffies
http://hastilyscribbled.comicgenesis.com
http://hastilyscribbled.comicgenesis.com
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Warofwinds
- Cartoon Hero
- Posts: 1088
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 7:46 pm
- Location: Beneath stormy skies
- Contact:
What I mean is I've linked most everyone I know or read, and for the most part, I continue to link the same people. I'm not adverse to linking those who'd care to ask for a link though, because if I haven't linked them, I either don't know of them or believe they're popular enough not to need them. Point taken though, that yeah, most everyone would like to be linked. Kez needs sleep. Sleep clarifies all. :3TRI wrote:I just normally assume people want to be linked to--or at least feel neutral about it. Maybe I'm wrong about that.warofwinds wrote:I'm looking for some more people to link. . . . send me a PM or somesuch.
-Kez
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Dr Legostar
- Cartoon Villain
- Posts: 15659
- Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2004 1:40 pm
- Location: right outside your window.
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i have always made it a point to advertise the comics i like/read, though i haven't updated the links on my main page for a while, most of the ones i want to advertise i'm waiting till they have a bit more of an archive, though frankly some people have been stubborn and stopped updating so i don't feel right advertising them, i'm looking at you, war.
-D. M. Jeftinija Pharm.D., Ph.D. -- Yes, I've got two doctorates and I'm arrogant about it, what have *you* done with *your* life?
"People who don't care about anything will never understand the people who do." "yeah.. but we won't care."
"Legostar's on the first page of the guide. His opinion is worth more than both of yours."--Yeahduff
"People who don't care about anything will never understand the people who do." "yeah.. but we won't care."
"Legostar's on the first page of the guide. His opinion is worth more than both of yours."--Yeahduff
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Mercury Hat
- Iron Lady (ForumAdmin)
- Posts: 5608
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. I don't have a lot linked 'cuz I don't read a lot in the first place.
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Joel Fagin
- nothos adrisor (GTC)
- Posts: 6014
- Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 1:15 am
- Location: City of Lights
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You mean you don't get any? I got ten K last financial year. For crying out loud, what have you been doing?
)
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Garneta
- Holding Out for a Hero
- Posts: 6518
- Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2006 3:14 pm
- Location: Fraggle Rock
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I have a links page where I link most of the ones I read, but I don't do any on the front page because I wouldn't feel right putting some and not others on there, and I don't want to turn the front page itself into a links section. Whenever I add a new link, I put do it in the newsbox.
The only ones I read that I don't have linked right now are because I went to their site and they didn't appear to have a banner for people to use (or if they did, I couldn't find it).
The only ones I read that I don't have linked right now are because I went to their site and they didn't appear to have a banner for people to use (or if they did, I couldn't find it).
