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What I learned from posting to Webtoon Canvas for three years: a thread!
-Reliability is more important than update rate. I couldn’t do weekly, but 2 or even 1 update a month still did well. Readers wanted consistency more than anything.
-Reliability is more important than update rate. I couldn’t do weekly, but 2 or even 1 update a month still did well. Readers wanted consistency more than anything.
-Vertical scroll draws the eyeballs, because most Webtoon readers are on mobile.
-Vertical scroll seems weird at first but gets easier fast! Not having to do page layouts saves so much time.
-Vertical scroll seems weird at first but gets easier fast! Not having to do page layouts saves so much time.
-Working in satisfying chapter chunks was both better for my readers and for me. Publishing a whole scene helped keep me motivated and kept my readers coming back.
-The art of the cliffhanger. Learning what story threads kept people interested in coming back next update.
-Style shortcuts and re-using frames helped me fit in a full time webcomic alongside full time work.
-Style shortcuts and re-using frames helped me fit in a full time webcomic alongside full time work.
-There might seem like there’s pressure to deliver the same level of content as an Webtoon Originals creator, but there really isn’t. I did the panel count and update rhythm that worked for me and I had steady growth across my series.
I’ve been making webcomics for over 15 years, and I’ve seen a lot happen over that time. Webtoon is the first place I’ve personally been able to not only find an audience, but make any money off my webcomics. I was making ad revenue and earning a creator bonus most months.
But aside from that, knowing that literally tens of thousands of people each update were checking in, reading and wanting more from me and my niche little story? It kept me motivated to actually finish it. And now I can’t wait to share my next project.
When I started making comics you had to find them based on webrings, links, or recommendations from friends. The fact that content is easy to find, access and share is a huge benefit to creators, and while yes there’s more of us there’s also significantly more readers.
I’m also happy that Webtoon Originals supports a lot of women, queer creators, and creators of colour making their original IP for a liveable wage. I love reading stories that creators are passionate about, and both the Originals and Canvas section have heaps.
Webcomics are big commitments, and that’s true no matter what platform you choose to publish on. Creators face burnout whatever format they’re in. Comics are a ridiculous method of storytelling, but god I love making them.
