How to start a webcomic

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Sat Jul 31, 2010 7:33 am

So, I've been thinking, as I read more fairly well known webcomics that start with terrible art, "Hell, I can do at least slightly better than that... I just need to get used to putting out pages on a regular basis and see what develops"

so, I'm going to try it. I'm going to put myself on some kind of schedule, and start doing a comic.

I've decided on the base storyline, I'm going to be really self-indulgent and just do it based around the goblin I'm playing. It also helps that I know that character and don't have to build one(personality wise, I mean), as such.

my question is... how the hell do you start a webcomic? How do you decide how many panels, what kind of layout, what the pacing should be, shit like that?

Right now, I'm kind of thinking of doing a more traditional comic layout, given that this will be more story oriented and less gag a day, and I'm outlining page one, but that's as far as I've gotten...

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Sat Jul 31, 2010 8:24 am

awesome. two hours, and I've got my first pair of pages outlined and laid out.

cthulhu · Post by **cthulhu** » Sat Jul 31, 2010 10:59 am

The key is regular updates

Josh_Kablack · Post by **Josh_Kablack** » Sat Jul 31, 2010 1:13 pm

1. Just do it. Draw and upload and post news/rants

2. Regular updates. At least weekly is good, but stick to whatever schedule works for you.

3. Aggressively self-promote. The best strip in the world is useless if nobody sees it.

4. Remember that you don't even need Order of the Stick level art to be successful. XKCD and Perry Bible Fellowship both are widely read with their

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Sat Jul 31, 2010 1:46 pm

thanks guys. I kinda wanted to get on a daily schedule, but I'm thinking of taking it a bit slower at first given that it's not a gag a day thing. Maybe MWF at most frequent.

I was thinking of just uploading to a blog or something while it's still an experiment, but is there a site where I can just register an account and put up a webcomic (like keenspace was, as far I understood)? and if so, where's a good site?

cthulhu · Post by **cthulhu** » Sat Jul 31, 2010 4:24 pm

Prak_Anima wrote:thanks guys. I kinda wanted to get on a daily schedule, but I'm thinking of taking it a bit slower at first given that it's not a gag a day thing. Maybe MWF at most frequent.

The important thing is not to update every day, but to update on whatever days you say you will rain hail and shine. That drives traffic to your website and builds the community.

Lago PARANOIA · Post by **Lago PARANOIA** » Sat Jul 31, 2010 6:55 pm

Do comics in advance of their scheduling date. Depending on how often you update, you want to write comics up to a month in advance and try to keep your reserve at that level.

Nicklance · Post by **Nicklance** » Sun Aug 01, 2010 3:40 pm

Have a good story, engaging characters, consistently try to improve your art.

And be disciplined.

Good luck.

Red_Rob · Post by **Red_Rob** » Sun Aug 01, 2010 5:07 pm

http://www.drunkduck.com/

I have a friend who hosts a comic on there. They provide free hosting and a friendly community.

Shameless plug! http://www.drunkduck.com/Harkovast/index.php?p=473700