Making money...

SamtheClam · Post by **SamtheClam** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:33 pm

Hey all,

I know a lot of webcomic-ers out there attempt to make a living or atleast some money out the their creations. I'm just wondering how many actually succeed at this?

-Sam Clam

GeorgeComics · Post by **GeorgeComics** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:36 pm

Almost anyone can make at least a tiny bit of money through advertisements. We're talking a few dollars a month, though. The percentage of wecomickers out there who actually make a living doing their craft is probably, what, like 1%? If that?

Warofwinds · Post by **Warofwinds** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:19 pm

Psh, more like. 001%

. I can only think of about 5 off the top of my head. Advertisements and merchandise seem the way to go, or strong incentives for donation like extra content/"free" stuff.

GeorgeComics · Post by **GeorgeComics** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:33 pm

Yeah, I think you're right. It would be hard to use up all 10 fingers counting out webcomic creators who live off their webcomics.

Geekblather · Post by **Geekblather** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:52 pm

I make enough money to support my site, and to occasionally buy presents for folks. If I wanted to make 'real' money, I'd offer stuff to sell.

Rcmonroe · Post by **Rcmonroe** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:59 pm

I'm attempting to make a living off my webcomic.

And if I didn't have to eat and pay rent and bills I'd be succeeding.

Dr Neo Lao · Post by **Dr Neo Lao** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:59 pm

I feel that it depends on how you define "succeed".

If you're talking about breaking even so that it's a fun hobby but isn't costing you a lot then there are a whole load of webcomikers who are able to cover their expenses.

If you're talking about being able to quit your job and support a family purely from the proceeds of the comic, then the only one that I can think of who has done it is Howard Tayler. There's probably two or three others, but I can't think of any off the top of my head right now...

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:55 pm

Making what? Is that some new invention?

GeorgeComics · Post by **GeorgeComics** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 12:36 am

Dr Neo Lao wrote:If you're talking about being able to quit your job and support a family purely from the proceeds of the comic, then the only one that I can think of who has done it is Howard Tayler. There's probably two or three others, but I can't think of any off the top of my head right now...

Scott Kurtz and the Penny Arcade guys are the three people who immediately spring to my mind.

Komiyan · Post by **Komiyan** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:31 am

It pays my gas bills, and that's pretty awesome.

Sorcery101 · Post by **Sorcery101** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:15 am

I pay for groceries and art supplies with mine.

K-Dawg · Post by **K-Dawg** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:12 am

This all sounds great. I too would like to cash in on this thing called "webcomics".

Datachasers · Post by **Datachasers** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:19 am

so far only one person has donated anything to theb comic - and that was really really cool of them - it helped out when my kitty was sick -
and helped cover vet bills -

so yeah .. im happy -
no i cant live on it but it might be nice if it broke even but hey im just glad people are reading it ( grin )

Drowemos · Post by **Drowemos** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:19 am

I would make enough to provide a very modest income for someone who like Raman Noodles. But I pay my artist so all that money vanishes.

I also pull out every stop to increase funds. That includes paying for superior art. A R-rated members section. Aggressive advertising. A big focus on merchandise. And a rock solid commitment to update schedules.

Honestly it is not very fun trying to make money off you comic. If I did not love the art I am getting from my artist I would have given up on getting the money a long time ago.

If you have any artist talent at all. Just be thankful for a little cash to offset your expenses. Don't get trapped into the money race.

Hogan · Post by **Hogan** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:28 am

Lets just say, as a rule of the thumb... don't EVER start out a webcomic with the intention of making a profit on it... you will almost guarenteed be horriby disappointed...

Datachasers · Post by **Datachasers** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 2:19 pm

Hogan wrote:Lets just say, as a rule of the thumb... don't EVER start out a webcomic with the intention of making a profit on it... you will almost guarenteed be horriby disappointed...

agreed-

do it for the enjoyment - yours first everyone else's second -

i really appreceate every single kind word i get because one - offsets a hundered -

Drugsmugglingcartoonist · Sun Dec 02, 2007 2:48 pm

All said and done it's a pleasure, that if by some terrible accident took off financially would be heaven.

Axonite · Post by **Axonite** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 4:20 pm

I'm hoping Station V3 will at some point pay for its hosting, domain name, supplies, etc. Right now the ads I'm running through Project Wonderful have made not quite as much money as I put in to run on other sites, so it's not quite there yet.

I've also just put up a book for sale through Lulu - if I sell a couple of those, that'll be the domain name, at least!

Starline · Post by **Starline** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:15 pm

I make enough to cover supplies and I'm saving up for a new computer, but a living? Not even close. Maybe if I lived in a small town where the cost of living it relatively low, but definitely not enough money to live comfortably in Miami.

Phact0rri · Post by **Phact0rri** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:42 am

well to make money, i'd assume first off what you have to offer that someone would pay for.