Best Ways to Get Word Out?

[Kieve]

Since MechaSentient is relatively new and still starting out (just over a month' worth of comics done and queued), I'm wondering what some of the best ways to find readers would be?
Most of my previous projects were either created within a community where I was already an established member, or at least where my work was established... where the general public goes, I've got about zero ideas.

*A friend already suggested mass-posting on a slew of sci-fi forum boards, but spamming the internet with a copy-paste message just doesn't sit well with me...

[Fishies]

If you google "webcomic lists" you'll get a load of places to list your comic. I get a good amount of hits from them.

[Kieve]

Well I feel like a prize idiot. Someone hand me my blue ribbon?
I've seen those little bCx / Topwhatevercomic buttons on various sites, and yet it never occurred to me to actually register on them.
*have done so now, at least*

[CaptainClaude]

You can advertise on other sites with Project wonderful, thats what the young people seem to be doing these days.

[Banov]

Create a topic about it on all your favorite forums, tell everyone you can by email or instant message. Social networking sites like facebook or myspace provide the tools you might need to tell lots of people.

[AspComics]

Project Wonderful ads are a personal favorite; a few cents a day for button ads on popular sites is a easy investment to promote your comic.

Banov's got a good suggestion too. Just share your comic with everyone you know. After all, what's the worst they'll do... not go?

[McDuffies]

haha

[Jekkal]

... For you? Right Now? Don't.

You don't want to start promotion with a small number of comics in the archives because there's so little to help people gain a lasting impression of you and/or your work.

Now, for promotion details in GENERAL, webcomic lists will boost you some of the time, but making links with other webcomic folk makes for even better referral power. Also, I find that the wikis that allow you to open up articles / write about your comic in there are quite valuable to you.

Also, forum signatures. You'd be amazed how many people come to my site though this forum alone.

[Redtech]

And a word of human psychology. It helps when your avatar looks like part of the comic.
*Insta-fails*

[VinnieD]

For now. You're already doing it. Post on the forum, get to know people, and often they will come look at your comic. I started reading Candi, Darken, and Lightbringer at least in recent memory just from reading the posts of the authors.

That's the best thing to do until you get an archive built up. Archives are important for keeping readers after all. It will prove your comic has been around for a while and they won't read two or three comics just to find that you stopped updating a few strips later. Also if someone likes the comic they'll archive binge on it. After an archive binge they'll keep coming back.

[Kieve]

All very useful information, and I thank you for it.

Actual adverti$ing is probably out of the question for the time being - I didn't start MechaSentient to make money, exactly, but I'm hardly in a position to throw cash at it either. Otherwise, I've bookmarked a few of those sites and will definitely make use of them as the opportunity presents.

One other slightly off-kilter question - is there a better method for creating the Archive that:
-doesn't use the ***calendar*** (or derivative) tags?
-doesn't have to be manually updated every time a new comic posts?

I'm beginning to understand how important the archive section is, but I've been holding off in the hope there's a decent halfway-point between those two points above.

[Bustertheclown]

My strategy is to build a following as a local figure. Strange concept for the internet, I know, but I also work in print. The way I see it is that the local community is the one community that I'll have the greatest access to at all times, so I should utilize that. I'll be attending the Spokane Comicon this weekend, and my name has been put out there on the bill, which is pretty exciting in its own way.

At any rate, my advice is not to discount the power that lies in physical advertising. Print some books on your printer, and take them to the local comic shop. Post flyers anywhere there's bulletin boards. Attend conventions and gatherings. Face time will help you, and it serves the double purpose of possibly gaining contacts and supporters that aren't hundreds of miles away from you.

[Kieve]

Physical advertising? Y'know, it's funny I didn't mention that before.
I work in a copy center (have to be there in a few hours, actually) - took the opportunity to create a sort of business card.

(image was designed for high-res printing - 2100x1212)

Mainly, those come out to say "Hey, look, we can print cool full-color business cards for you right here in the store!" But there's the added bonus of more exposure for MS, and occasionally I get to talk with someone who's interested in what's on the card... Thank you for reminding me, 'tis also very good advice.

And now that I'm thinking about it, there's two locations in the Scranton area at least that might be open to a little freelance advertising...

[Warren]

Write your URL on every piece of paper currency you use. Since it's illegal to deface currency, so you're also being "bad"!

Girls love "bad" boys!

[Redtech]

They don't love the "insane" though.