Posted November 7, 2011 at 02:50 pm
You! Or, it could be. And it won't cost you a penny.
Since I've started being a publisher of web content, I've wanted to write an article on what people can do to support their favorite web authors/artists, but I don't want it to come off like I'm begging, because that's the last thing on my mind. However, several people have asked me how they can support my art without spending any money, and I don't blame them at all (it's tight for a lot of us). Having become a publisher, these are things I've discovered that allow me to better support websites I enjoy. Some of these may seem obvious, and some not so much, but I hope they'll enhance your understanding.
1) Tell your friends!
Do you twitter? Facebook? Are you a forum rat? Whenever you see an entry you think your friends will like, link them to the page it's on. When you tell your friend, and they like what you sent them, they may tell their friends, and their friends will tell their friends. You could be directly or indirectly responsible for making your favorite comic a huge hit! That almost always means it will be around for much longer than if no one knew about it.
2) Tell the WORLD!
A great way to support creators you like is by linking their content via things like Reddit, Digg and StumbleUpon. These make up a huge, huge portion of small creators' traffic.
When submitting a blog entry or comic, be sure to submit the URL of the page its on. For example, for the comic "Grunt Runt", you want to use the link "http://www.whompcomic.com/2011/11/07/grunt-runt/" which leads directly to that comic. If you only link the image (in this case, http://www.whompcomic.com/comics/2011-11-07-Grunt-Runt.jpg) the traffic will count against the site's bandwidth (because they see only the picture), but the author won't get any exposure for the ad spaces, or for the other content on the website, such as links to the store, other relevant sites, or the navigational portion that takes them to other comics. If you must post only the image of the comic, rehost it using something like imageshack.us, but be sure to link back to the website in some obvious manner.
Often times there is a line of buttons below an entry to help you in submitting it, like I provide for Whomp!.
3) Disable your ad blocker just for the sites you like and trust.
This may seem the most obvious, but its one many people don't completely understand. Whenever there's a website you like, and you don't think it'll have a bunch of nasty virus ads, click your ad blocker, and disable it for that particular site. Most web cartoonists use Project Wonderful, which is a service started by Ryan North of Dinosaur Comics for creative publishers. A website may also use Google AdSense which is also fairly safe, as far as I've ever known it. (There are a massive amount of smaller ad companies, however, who are less scrupulous about the content delivered through their ads. Those can sometimes be dangerous, so block at your own discretion.)
When you do block ads, not only do you not see them, but they're never loaded, and the author doesn't get credit for each visit. For smaller authors, the ads are just enough to keep the hosting costs up. For bigger ones, it's a majority of their livelihood. This is a very effective way of supporting someone you like at zero cost to you.
4) Link it on your website
You may not have your own blog or website, but, if you do, just a little something like this can help quite a bit. Also, if you have a Project Wonderful ad banner on your site, you can set the default ad to be whatever you like. This default (non-earning) ad shows up when there aren't any winning bids on your ad space currently. If there's nothing you'd rather have in that space, ask your favorite creator for a banner ad to place for free in that spot.
5) Keep your ears open for commission opportunities
Artists and authors (artists especially) are often looking for opportunities to supplement their income. If you overhear a need for a professional for an art or writing project (perhaps at a small company you work for, or any kind of function), and it matches the style of the artist/writer you like, don't hesitate to contact them with the details. (But don't assume it'll be cheaper than any other artist. They're still professionals.)
6) Tell them they're doing a good job!
Don't be afraid to e-mail or tweet your favorite author with a little "Thanks for making a cool comic!" This is like fuel for an artist, especially someone who wants to entertain. Just a few words are all that's necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q) Should I enable scripts on your website?
A) If the site isn't working properly, there may be a script you need to enable. It also helps count towards recorded traffic, but it's not the end of the world if you want to continue blocking scripts.
Q) Should I click ads on your website to earn you money?
A) While that does help the publisher, the ad-provider has to pay for those ads. To be fair to everyone, click what interests you, and don't click what doesn't.
Q) I'm gonna tattoo your comic character on my thigh.
A) Please don't!
Q) You're not my real dad.
A) I HAVE NO SON. *shun*
So, that's it. If you can think of creative ways to support your favorite artists, every little bit helps. We're a community, and what's good for one of us is good for us all. More support means more comics, and more original creators willing to put in the time to create something everyone loves.
P.S. If you ever see an ad of mine that's gross, (like certain male's intimate sportswear, which I just now banned), please feel free to let me know, and I'll get right on it.
Since I've started being a publisher of web content, I've wanted to write an article on what people can do to support their favorite web authors/artists, but I don't want it to come off like I'm begging, because that's the last thing on my mind. However, several people have asked me how they can support my art without spending any money, and I don't blame them at all (it's tight for a lot of us). Having become a publisher, these are things I've discovered that allow me to better support websites I enjoy. Some of these may seem obvious, and some not so much, but I hope they'll enhance your understanding.
1) Tell your friends!
Do you twitter? Facebook? Are you a forum rat? Whenever you see an entry you think your friends will like, link them to the page it's on. When you tell your friend, and they like what you sent them, they may tell their friends, and their friends will tell their friends. You could be directly or indirectly responsible for making your favorite comic a huge hit! That almost always means it will be around for much longer than if no one knew about it.
2) Tell the WORLD!
A great way to support creators you like is by linking their content via things like Reddit, Digg and StumbleUpon. These make up a huge, huge portion of small creators' traffic.
When submitting a blog entry or comic, be sure to submit the URL of the page its on. For example, for the comic "Grunt Runt", you want to use the link "http://www.whompcomic.com/2011/11/07/grunt-runt/" which leads directly to that comic. If you only link the image (in this case, http://www.whompcomic.com/comics/2011-11-07-Grunt-Runt.jpg) the traffic will count against the site's bandwidth (because they see only the picture), but the author won't get any exposure for the ad spaces, or for the other content on the website, such as links to the store, other relevant sites, or the navigational portion that takes them to other comics. If you must post only the image of the comic, rehost it using something like imageshack.us, but be sure to link back to the website in some obvious manner.
Often times there is a line of buttons below an entry to help you in submitting it, like I provide for Whomp!.
3) Disable your ad blocker just for the sites you like and trust.
This may seem the most obvious, but its one many people don't completely understand. Whenever there's a website you like, and you don't think it'll have a bunch of nasty virus ads, click your ad blocker, and disable it for that particular site. Most web cartoonists use Project Wonderful, which is a service started by Ryan North of Dinosaur Comics for creative publishers. A website may also use Google AdSense which is also fairly safe, as far as I've ever known it. (There are a massive amount of smaller ad companies, however, who are less scrupulous about the content delivered through their ads. Those can sometimes be dangerous, so block at your own discretion.)
When you do block ads, not only do you not see them, but they're never loaded, and the author doesn't get credit for each visit. For smaller authors, the ads are just enough to keep the hosting costs up. For bigger ones, it's a majority of their livelihood. This is a very effective way of supporting someone you like at zero cost to you.
4) Link it on your website
You may not have your own blog or website, but, if you do, just a little something like this can help quite a bit. Also, if you have a Project Wonderful ad banner on your site, you can set the default ad to be whatever you like. This default (non-earning) ad shows up when there aren't any winning bids on your ad space currently. If there's nothing you'd rather have in that space, ask your favorite creator for a banner ad to place for free in that spot.
5) Keep your ears open for commission opportunities
Artists and authors (artists especially) are often looking for opportunities to supplement their income. If you overhear a need for a professional for an art or writing project (perhaps at a small company you work for, or any kind of function), and it matches the style of the artist/writer you like, don't hesitate to contact them with the details. (But don't assume it'll be cheaper than any other artist. They're still professionals.)
6) Tell them they're doing a good job!
Don't be afraid to e-mail or tweet your favorite author with a little "Thanks for making a cool comic!" This is like fuel for an artist, especially someone who wants to entertain. Just a few words are all that's necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q) Should I enable scripts on your website?
A) If the site isn't working properly, there may be a script you need to enable. It also helps count towards recorded traffic, but it's not the end of the world if you want to continue blocking scripts.
Q) Should I click ads on your website to earn you money?
A) While that does help the publisher, the ad-provider has to pay for those ads. To be fair to everyone, click what interests you, and don't click what doesn't.
Q) I'm gonna tattoo your comic character on my thigh.
A) Please don't!
Q) You're not my real dad.
A) I HAVE NO SON. *shun*
So, that's it. If you can think of creative ways to support your favorite artists, every little bit helps. We're a community, and what's good for one of us is good for us all. More support means more comics, and more original creators willing to put in the time to create something everyone loves.
P.S. If you ever see an ad of mine that's gross, (like certain male's intimate sportswear, which I just now banned), please feel free to let me know, and I'll get right on it.