Does a Lack of Comments Mean I Suck?

[Jam1]

Uh, this isn't really about BL, guys. We've had so many threads turn into this topic - leave it be.

Apologies, I'm still new at this whole foruming thingy. I shall know better next time.

[JoKeRcologne]

Ok ok ...I was just trolling!!!

No, I have to apologize because I mentioned this whole BL issue... sorry

[wulfsaga]

I try to submit my work to an editor one day.. he says my artstyle is weird and cant be marketed, but i tell him no one seems to mind it when i post it online. he says "When people doesnt like it, they didnt comment."

Of course i feel angry and betrayed by my own art community because they are really quite and never criticize me, i think its cultural thing in my country to stay quiet because they doesnt want to offend me. The lack of direct comment and trustiness is frustrate me...

and the weird thing is, artist that accepted and published in my country was tanked in sales... just few months later they closed the submission because lack of 'quality'. I wonder if this because the artist got lack of 'sharp' comment for their work...

Its really random thing, some people maybe a heavy fans of yours but they rarely comment and never interact. While some other is never really give a F$$$ but write good comment like 'you are doing great!' because they bored..

My only option is doing my thing my own way, i take any rare of criticsm as treasure trove.

[Wulfmune]

I would get more comments when I was posting on DA, even though I get more page views here, so it might have to do with the community/format as well.

I don't think lack of comments or lack of comments is a reflection of how good your comic is. Then again I'm probably biased because I don't get many comments. LOL. chin up and keep drawing~!!

[AngelsMelodie]

In my opinion, no art ever 'sucks'.

[RainbowAurora]

In my opinion, no art ever 'sucks'.

Why can't more people online be like you?

[ZaraLT]

How strange that this is the first thread I see today. This is exactly what I've felt like a little bit recently. But what I realize is that it takes time to build up a committed fan base who will leave comments and whatnot. Finding one comic in a pool of many can be difficult, unless you have a lot of money to put into advertising (and even then). It's a big world out there!

A lot of comics that have a small number of pages and numerous fans are probably that way because the artist was really popular before they started the comic. For the rest of us, it will certainly take some time to get noticed; and that's okay. If you really love what you're doing you'll just keep going.

Word of mouth is the best way to build a fanbase I've observed from other webcomic experiences. Once some people become fans, especially other webcomic artists, the news will spread.

In any case, I don't really believe no comments means your comic sucks! No way!

Keep your chin up and keep at it! Good luck! <3

[itsjustaar]

I remember my first months into making my webcomic. I was fortunate, though, because on the day I introduced myself on DrunkDuck - I instantly got a PM from Harkovast, one fo the forum regulars, to inquire me about the comic. I think it was because of the overall intent and story description I gave about my comic which caught his attention.

These things take time. I didn't read the thread all the way to know if you were in it for two months, or since December of a year ago. I started in December 2010, myself, and I spent a lot of 2011 making groups, posting art and the comic on deviantArt, and furaffinity, just to get awareness. It's helped considerably, even with a few incidents now and again, but it does have potential.

Give it time. Working hard to make friends, readers, watchers, and so forth, requires patience. In time, though, you'll be fine. You don't suck.

[The Bearded Man]

To answer the topic question: No, if people become fan, it means they want to follow your work. If they have nothing to say, they won't say anything.

[ChainsawAdams]

Yeah. I've got the same thing going. I advertise on this site, other sites and have banners up on other comics. I also do local promotions in my city at comic shops where I've made deals with the store owner to hand out promo cd's. LOL And still all I usually get is crap about only using ink and not photo-shop.

[Aivilo]

No you do not suck. This happens to me too. Sometimes people just read the page and not comment. It doesn't necessarily mean they disappeared.

[itsjustaar]

I have a question.

How does one encourage the readers to talk? I mean this in the most respectful way possible, to. Periodically I've had days where I feel tired or exhausted with the comic, and as days go on, there will be moments where I feel willing to ignore that feeling of not having any conversations about the characters or series in general. I'll often think, "Well, there's a lot I feel I should explain or do, here, I'd love to meet my readers." On the days I am able to, it's a very humble feeling. But on most days, it's sparse... Especially when a comic is plot-heavy and might need some corner of explanation.

I guess in my experience, I get a feeling of doubt that the comic is being read, if at all. Or if it is, then the reaction of negativity outweighs the support, particularly when it's something you dedicate nearly 100% on.

I'd hate to derail this thread. D: I apologize if I had.

[overlordrae]

I have a question.

How does one encourage the readers to talk? I mean this in the most respectful way possible, to. Periodically I've had days where I feel tired or exhausted with the comic, and as days go on, there will be moments where I feel willing to ignore that feeling of not having any conversations about the characters or series in general. I'll often think, "Well, there's a lot I feel I should explain or do, here, I'd love to meet my readers." On the days I am able to, it's a very humble feeling. But on most days, it's sparse... Especially when a comic is plot-heavy and might need some corner of explanation.

I guess in my experience, I get a feeling of doubt that the comic is being read, if at all. Or if it is, then the reaction of negativity outweighs the support, particularly when it's something you dedicate nearly 100% on.

I'd hate to derail this thread. D: I apologize if I had.

Try to find ways to engage them. I know that's vague, but...well, it's unique to each webcomic since different webcomics have different audiences.

I started an 'ask the characters' tumblr and see to be getting a pretty good response from it.

[AuroraArt]

I kinda felt like I wasn't doing good on my webcomic before too. But then, someone gave me a quote that stuck to me. It's by Ira Glass:

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”
― Ira Glass

Never give up your gift, keep practicing, and have fun with it. Also, it's not about impressing people. It's about you making the art and knowing that you can do it. It takes dedication and having fun with it.

[Smars]

no it 100% doesn't mean you suck.
it's just the nature of the relationship between the creator and the readership.
some people are shy regardless of if they are standing directly in front of you, so they don't comment.
and others are afraid they don't or won't have anything interesting to say, or that they will make a fool of themselves in front of you.
and some people just like to read and then leave. only communicating on rare occasions.

it's not you, it's just the way different people work.
just keep making your work, and occasionally throw something out there that might give one of your ninja readers a reason to speak up.
C: