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Webcomics poll: a review!
Okay, everyone! I have officially closed my webcomics poll. ^^ 51 people were kind enough to participate, for which I am very grateful. If you took my poll, thank you!! m(_)m
Those of you who took or at least read it over can probably tell what was on my mind: art and update issues. Now, let us discuss the findings!
1. How often do you read webcomics? - Slightly less than half the takers read webcomics every day, with 2nd place at 30% several times a week. This doesn't surprise me, but it's good to have confirmation. This means you'll have people stopping by at least 3 or 4 times a week if you have new pages for them! People WANT to read webcomics as often as possible, so yay. ^^V We have an audience! Kyaa! XD
2. What kind of webcomics do you enjoy? - This question was tick-box, so more than one answer could be selected. To my pleasure, the three options were rather evenly selected: gag-a-day 80%, short story arcs 74%, and one long uber-arc 82%. In conclusion, whichever storytelling method you chose, most people will be open to it. Encouraging, no? I am selfishly glad my own preferred storytelling method: one long uber-arc, defeated the other two. Even if only by a tiny percentage. :D
3. If you hear about an interesting webcomic and see it has an extensive archive, how do you react? - 86% said they would happily read the entire archive, 14% said they would start it, then skip ahead in stages to the new stuff. I admit, these results surprised me. I expected maybe a third of the takers would read the whole archive, with the highest percentage reading the beginning then skipping ahead, and a smaller slice only reviewing the past couple weeks so they could follow the newest pages. No one chose the barely reading or not reading at all options. This made me very happy! It's good to learn new visitors are interested in reading extensive archives, as creators don't have to worry as much that the length of their webcomics might drive new readers away. Natch! ^^V Epics have a go!
4. Are you interested in complete, finished webcomics, or do you prefer works in progress? - An overwhelming 94% said they would read a completed webcomic, and only 6% preferred a WIP. This is very good news! My first original manga/webcomic/whatever term I'm calling it today will be a short-story with a definite ending. I'd feared this meant forgoing new readers once the story is finished, and now I see this is not the case. Yay!! =D Bring on the short stories, everyone! We don't have to create 1,000 page epics!!
5. Are you willing to sacrifice polished art for frequent updates? - Aye, there's the rub! I was pleased to see the definite winner for this question was 60% of the takers don't mind waiting for updates a couple days a week, as long as the art makes it worthwhile. Yes, most people are willing to wait for quality! I had feared most would want their daily updates AND lovely art. Certainly it's possible (Questionable Content and Shortpacked are two I currently read, for example) but apparently readers understand solid art takes time. Whew! I'm not going to have to work myself sick to keep people reading every day, which is a definite relief since my paid-workload is about to resume its former heavy level.
6. Color?? Black and white? Monotone? - Another question I was deeply concerned about, and again the poll takers show themselves to be reasonable people. 84% said they don't care which, as long as whatever method is done well. Oh, yay!! Only 2% demanded color, and 4% preferred b/w. For me, this question is directly tied to the one above it: color takes TIME to do, especially in my case since I have so little practice at it. I could make a whole post about this debate alone. Color or not to color? That is still the question, but at least now I know I can chose between them without automatically losing a bunch of potential readers.
7. You find a webcomic with art you don't particularly like. The comic comes high(ly) recommended by others. Do you... - 86% said they give the comic a chance in the hope the story or characters will make up for the art. 14% said they'd hit the back button b/c they weren't willing to look at art they don't like. This is another question I was very interested to see answered. Let's face it guys, anime and manga art IS NOT WELCOMED by a lot of people, and my own art style fits into that category. I do think my art is above your average anime-fanart-level, but we all know some people are going to take one look at big eyes, tall word balloons, and long legs and be quick to write me off on that alone. To learn that 86% of the poll's takers would be willing to try a highly-recced comic "despite" the art is quite a relief. Particularly in light of this post.
8. Tell me what you enjoy about your favorite webcomics. Comedy? Characters? Action? Shiny art? Story? Fanservice? Anything that strikes your mind! - This was a type-your-own-answer question, so I don't have any handy percentages. Reading over all the responses does show a large number of people said humor, characters, plot, and art. Of the main responses, it looks like characters is the main winner. This is certainly true of myself, as I will read something drawn with stick figures if the characters are engaging enough! I must tip my hat to the guy brave enough to admit he enjoyed fanservice. ^///^ *salutes*
9. What is your personal fave webcomic? Only one!! - Another type-your-own-answer question. I'd posed it for sheer curiosity, but now it's ended up an informal rec list! Heh! Almost everyone had a unique answer, with the "winners" a tie between Girl Genius and Evil Diva at three votes each. 2nd place is also a tie with two votes each for XKCD and Templar AZ. Again, I have to tip my hat to a particular user who proclaimed their own webcomic was their fave. *salutes* You, sir or madam, have chutzpah.
In conclusion, my poll has shown me people are more understanding and tolerant that I had supposed. They realize good art can take time to achieve, and are willing to be at least a little patient for it. The majority want quality storytelling and don't really care in what style it is portrayed, as long as it is done well. I am very pleased with what I have learned!!!
Any thoughts?? Comments from anyone are welcome!! Let us discuss the results. :D
ETA: Heh, apparently I'm the only one who found this interesting. Oh well! Anyone is welcome to comment, even if you see this weeks or months after I first posted it.
Those of you who took or at least read it over can probably tell what was on my mind: art and update issues. Now, let us discuss the findings!
1. How often do you read webcomics? - Slightly less than half the takers read webcomics every day, with 2nd place at 30% several times a week. This doesn't surprise me, but it's good to have confirmation. This means you'll have people stopping by at least 3 or 4 times a week if you have new pages for them! People WANT to read webcomics as often as possible, so yay. ^^V We have an audience! Kyaa! XD
2. What kind of webcomics do you enjoy? - This question was tick-box, so more than one answer could be selected. To my pleasure, the three options were rather evenly selected: gag-a-day 80%, short story arcs 74%, and one long uber-arc 82%. In conclusion, whichever storytelling method you chose, most people will be open to it. Encouraging, no? I am selfishly glad my own preferred storytelling method: one long uber-arc, defeated the other two. Even if only by a tiny percentage. :D
3. If you hear about an interesting webcomic and see it has an extensive archive, how do you react? - 86% said they would happily read the entire archive, 14% said they would start it, then skip ahead in stages to the new stuff. I admit, these results surprised me. I expected maybe a third of the takers would read the whole archive, with the highest percentage reading the beginning then skipping ahead, and a smaller slice only reviewing the past couple weeks so they could follow the newest pages. No one chose the barely reading or not reading at all options. This made me very happy! It's good to learn new visitors are interested in reading extensive archives, as creators don't have to worry as much that the length of their webcomics might drive new readers away. Natch! ^^V Epics have a go!
4. Are you interested in complete, finished webcomics, or do you prefer works in progress? - An overwhelming 94% said they would read a completed webcomic, and only 6% preferred a WIP. This is very good news! My first original manga/webcomic/whatever term I'm calling it today will be a short-story with a definite ending. I'd feared this meant forgoing new readers once the story is finished, and now I see this is not the case. Yay!! =D Bring on the short stories, everyone! We don't have to create 1,000 page epics!!
5. Are you willing to sacrifice polished art for frequent updates? - Aye, there's the rub! I was pleased to see the definite winner for this question was 60% of the takers don't mind waiting for updates a couple days a week, as long as the art makes it worthwhile. Yes, most people are willing to wait for quality! I had feared most would want their daily updates AND lovely art. Certainly it's possible (Questionable Content and Shortpacked are two I currently read, for example) but apparently readers understand solid art takes time. Whew! I'm not going to have to work myself sick to keep people reading every day, which is a definite relief since my paid-workload is about to resume its former heavy level.
6. Color?? Black and white? Monotone? - Another question I was deeply concerned about, and again the poll takers show themselves to be reasonable people. 84% said they don't care which, as long as whatever method is done well. Oh, yay!! Only 2% demanded color, and 4% preferred b/w. For me, this question is directly tied to the one above it: color takes TIME to do, especially in my case since I have so little practice at it. I could make a whole post about this debate alone. Color or not to color? That is still the question, but at least now I know I can chose between them without automatically losing a bunch of potential readers.
7. You find a webcomic with art you don't particularly like. The comic comes high(ly) recommended by others. Do you... - 86% said they give the comic a chance in the hope the story or characters will make up for the art. 14% said they'd hit the back button b/c they weren't willing to look at art they don't like. This is another question I was very interested to see answered. Let's face it guys, anime and manga art IS NOT WELCOMED by a lot of people, and my own art style fits into that category. I do think my art is above your average anime-fanart-level, but we all know some people are going to take one look at big eyes, tall word balloons, and long legs and be quick to write me off on that alone. To learn that 86% of the poll's takers would be willing to try a highly-recced comic "despite" the art is quite a relief. Particularly in light of this post.
8. Tell me what you enjoy about your favorite webcomics. Comedy? Characters? Action? Shiny art? Story? Fanservice? Anything that strikes your mind! - This was a type-your-own-answer question, so I don't have any handy percentages. Reading over all the responses does show a large number of people said humor, characters, plot, and art. Of the main responses, it looks like characters is the main winner. This is certainly true of myself, as I will read something drawn with stick figures if the characters are engaging enough! I must tip my hat to the guy brave enough to admit he enjoyed fanservice. ^///^ *salutes*
9. What is your personal fave webcomic? Only one!! - Another type-your-own-answer question. I'd posed it for sheer curiosity, but now it's ended up an informal rec list! Heh! Almost everyone had a unique answer, with the "winners" a tie between Girl Genius and Evil Diva at three votes each. 2nd place is also a tie with two votes each for XKCD and Templar AZ. Again, I have to tip my hat to a particular user who proclaimed their own webcomic was their fave. *salutes* You, sir or madam, have chutzpah.
In conclusion, my poll has shown me people are more understanding and tolerant that I had supposed. They realize good art can take time to achieve, and are willing to be at least a little patient for it. The majority want quality storytelling and don't really care in what style it is portrayed, as long as it is done well. I am very pleased with what I have learned!!!
Any thoughts?? Comments from anyone are welcome!! Let us discuss the results. :D
ETA: Heh, apparently I'm the only one who found this interesting. Oh well! Anyone is welcome to comment, even if you see this weeks or months after I first posted it.