Shouting Into The Void

Hey everyone. Just popping in with a little shop talk regarding websites and numbers that go up.

Since the site launched in July, I’ve had analytics running to track the number of visitors (nothing nefarious like most places, just how many showed up, etc. and no names or identifying details attached). As the weeks have progressed, I’ve watched that number steadily climb but I’m struggling to understand something that I hope can be clarified.

Back in 2010 when the comic originally launched, it exploded on to scene defying my highest expectations. I quickly found myself with a small but very dedicated group of readers who often engaged in positive ways with comments, polls, events, etc. I understand that that was 16 years ago, but I can’t imagine comic readers have changed that much if they like something.

Fast forward to this year’s launch and while I’m seeing numbers, they don’t feel like real people because, if you pardon the expression, it’s dead silent. I put forward comments sections and polls looking for feedback and get zero response. I set up events or special things and it gets (nearly) zero engagement. And before you mention it, I know the comments were paywalled but I opened them up not too long ago and still not seeing much activity (aside from spammers).

This leaves me operating in the dark. I can’t trust raw numbers anymore because of bots and the overwhelming impact they’ve had on the internet as a whole. The only real measure by which I can judge success or failure is real positive engagement and I’m not really seeing that.

The other issue I’m struggling with is exposure. I’ve dumped, no exaggeration, hundreds of dollars into promotions and pulling strings to get deals to put the comic out in the wild where I think it might be seen by interested readers. None of this seems to have returned much on investment in the way I expected so I’m not sure how to get the word out about the comic.

This isn’t a goodbye post or pity party post, I just want you folks to understand what I’m seeing and how I judge what actions I take with the comic and other things around it. I’ve had a few projects I’ve put aside for the time being because I just don’t see positive engagement or interest that make them worth investing in.

I understand a lot of people aren’t comfortable posting and some are lurkers but if you see a strip or something you like or have questions, feel free to drop a comment so I know you’re there. It really helps me feel like someone is reading instead of just me performing to an empty room.

I guess that’s all I have to say at the moment. Just wanted to give you an update on the strip and where I am with regards to planning. I’ve got some good stories lined up through the end of the year so make sure you keep checking in.

Have a great Halloween.