The Dreadful -- Chapter 10

[Loki]

I just registered to give some encouragement. I think The Dreadful is one of the better current webcomics. I've seen your art style evolve as the comic progresses. The characters are likable, even the villains. The storyline is interesting although I feel like we haven't gotten to the true plot yet. I'd like to see what happens next.

I've been working on a creative endeavor myself (writing a book) and have been doing some research about how to be successful. Actually producing content is just the start, you have to promote your work too. Of course make use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Reddit, Tumblr, Pinterest, etc). Try to get on the top webcomic sites and encourage your followers to go vote you up. Try to get bloggers to do a review of your comic. Maintain a blog of your own. I'm sure there is other stuff but that would probably be a good start.

Just think about all the gifted writers, artists, musicians that go unnoticed while talentless hacks make it big. It's not fair that people who produce absolute trash sell millions of books/albums but it is what it is. Learn how to self promote and harness the power of the internet. It'll at least give you a chance.

[Octopops]

If you really managed to work 8-10 hours a day for 3 years and for free, that's some amazing persistence you have there. Like, completely outstanding stuff. You can do lots in the future with that personality trait.

Regarding The Dreadful I would clearly hate to see it go, but I agree that you can't keep going on like that. You need to make some money off of it or relegate it to hobby status or to oblivion. >_<

I'm way too poor myself to send you back up - actually I wouldn't mind that you send me some xD. But I can at least suggest stuff. You apparently have a decent number of readers even though it's stagnating, so there's something to leverage.

Now it's hard to start selling something that you've been giving for free, so you need momentum and added value. Also, MVP - Minimum Viable Product - so that you can have something to sell soon instead of risking many more months of work for potentially poor results.

IMO the best way is to start with a small physical books. But what to put inside ? How to leverage The Dreadful's fan base ?

Well first, who are they ? If they are interested in what's up behind the scenes, you could provide a short side story of the Dreadful with clear winks to the main story maybe, or with elements that would add depth and flavor to the world. Then add pages that explain where your inspiration comes from and how you are working, along with some dreadful trivia. This part could be made of text and drawings rather than walls of text, since your fan base is reading comics.

First make 100 copies of your 20 or so pages book, each copy having a unique number (1/100, 2/100). See how fast they sell, that will be good feedback - but you need some momentum before you do start selling.

Then if it went well, make some more copies. You'll know if and when you can start making other books, although be careful not to let momentum fall by waiting too much.

You most likely won't get rich but you'll get experience in making a living out of your passion, and earn some money on the side. This should make The Dreadful worth your time again, hopefully


Also if you do have a decent amount of readers, it would definitely be worth it to have your own site / blog on top of what you already have. Seems way easier to make a name for yourself and leverage your existing fan base this way.

[Gitman]

It may be worth it to host a Kickstarter to fund a print run. I'd donate!

[Bum Bill Bee]

I can't see Kit's attempted seduction working. Surely they's be smart enough to send Asexual dryads against her right?

[MSperoni]

Thanks for the useful advice!

The whole "business/promotional" side of The Dreadful is something I've never been brave enough to attempt so I've just been focusing on making pages in the hopes that word of mouth will do all that work for me

Naive? Probably!

I think the reason a lot of crappy things get really popular is because their creators spend all their time promoting it and themselves rather than working to produce quality content. That or they just happen to be in the right place at the right time.

[Octopops]

The whole "business/promotional" side of The Dreadful is something I've never been brave enough to attempt so I've just been focusing on making pages in the hopes that word of mouth will do all that work for me

Against all odds it seems that money doesn't grow on trees, I checked many species in vain

Even if you get known you still have to find a way to monetize. Even Facebook had to face this issue and they chose to pimp us

But getting featured regularly on Nuklear Power near the end of 8-bit was quite a good deal for you. I don't know how that happened but it is promotional, so you've probably been playing the game already without paying attention.

Success comes from work, network, marketing and luck. You're already quite on the way from what I can see

[Loki]

Do you know how many unique hits your comic gets? Having your own site may be something that would give you more information and control. You can monitor when people view your comic, how many unique ips visit your page, etc. You could use google adsense or something else to pay for webhosting. You could have character information, wallpapers, etc. It may be something to think about.

[MSperoni]

I'm thinking of setting up a Paypal donation thing where if you donate a minimum amount you get a wallpaper. Sorta like what 8-bit did a long time ago.

Not really sure how to go about doing that. I'd have to run it by Brian.

I've also been working on a Character/Plot FAQ. I'd have it finished, but I'm blazing through the pages so fast I'm having to constantly update it!

[Red Mage Black]

Hmmm... looking through this, then I think to myself... "What obscure thing can we bring up that might get more adoring fans?" Then I believe I had an epiphany. Perish the thought, but we must have 'fanmade characters'. Like some other folks do.

I was going to make another bold suggestion, but it would have far more implications than a simple booty shake.

[MSperoni]

Fanmade characters might be fun. If this was an easier to comic to produce I'd be all about making all sorts of side stuff. I don't mind guest comics though or fanfics if someone wants to make them.

I'm not sure I wanna push the fanservice too far. I'm not that desperate for ratings (yet)!