Promoting Webcomics Through Social Media

1. Promoting Webcomics Through Social Media A Strategy Based From Observation • Jessie Lovelace • Spring 2012

2. Tiny Kitten Teeth • Hand Painted Webcomic • Created by Becky and Frank Gibson • Established Jan. 26, 2009 (http://www.tinykittenteeth.com)

3. Doctor Cat, M.D. • Digitally Drawn Webcomic • Created by Sarah Sobole • Established Jan. 10, 2011 (http://www.doctorcatmd.com)

4. Overview What Makes Promotion Possible? Promotional Tactics of Tiny Kitten Teeth & Dr. Cat Webcomic Social Media Strategy Discussion

5. What makes online promotion possible? • Web 2.0 • Server Software • Content Syndication • Client Applications • Social Networks (Tredinnick, 2006)

6. What makes online promotion possible? • Communication Accommodation Theory • Howard Giles (2007) • Presentation of Identity • Community Formation (Hordila & Pana, 2010)

7. Promotional Tactics • Authenticity • Align your identity with your audience • Connect with real people for that sake alone (Janusz, 2009), (https://twitter.com/#!/beckyandfrank)

8. Promotional Tactics • Engagement • Use social media for the correct purpose • Network with industry professionals as well as fans (Janusz, 2009), (http://www.facebook.com/tinykittenteeth)

9. Promotional Tactics • Continued Content • Contests • Free-use incentives (Alverson, 2012), (http://www.facebook.com/DoctorCatMD)

10. Webcomic Social Media Strategy • Begin with content • Quality of Work(Hampson, 2009) • Creative Commons License • Consistency of content (Campbell, 2010) (http://www.tinykittenteeth.com)

11. Webcomic Social Media Strategy • Understand the audience • Identify Goals and Objectives (4 Steps, 2011) • Establish targeted demographics and communities • Use Communication Accommodation Theory (Giles, 2007) (http://www.doctorcatmd.com)

12. Webcomic Social Media Strategy • Establish a Presence • Appropriate platform and profile(Campbell, 2010) • Track progress with analytics • Network with other artists and industry professionals (Hampson, 2009) Doctor Cat’s Facebook Profile Picture (http://www.facebook.com/DoctorCatMD)

13. Webcomic Social Media Strategy • Continued Utilization • Quality Followers, not Quantity Followers (Hampson, 2009) • Encourage Engagement • Use unique tactics • Network with other artists and industry professional (Hampson, 2009)

14. Discussion • The Future Of Webcomics • More popular than print? • Further Research • More specific investigation (http://www.tinykittenteeth.com)

15. References Alverson, B. (2012, January 27). Digital comic resources: Platforms & partnerships. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=36652 Anderson, B. (2009, August 25). Interview by S Hampson [Personal Interview]. Promoting webcomics with social media. Tweeterview.com, Queensland, Australia. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.tweeterview.com/published-tweeterview/4d7a553d Four steps to enhance your marketing strategy with social media. (2011). PT in Motion, 3(4), 13. Giles, Howard; Ogay, Tania (2007). "Communication Accommodation Theory". In Whaley, Bryan B.; Samter, Wendy. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Hordila-Vatamanescu, E., & Pana, A. (2010). The application of the Communication Accommodation Theory to virtual communities: A preliminary research on the online identities. International Journal Of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 5(4), 279-290. Janusz, T. (2009). Marketing on social networks: Twitter, Myspace and Facebook demystified. Key Words, 17(4), 124-125. Tredinnick, L. (2006). Web 2.0 and business: A pointer to the intranets of the future?. Business Information Review, 23(4).