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can be volatile and unpredictable, and it's good to branch out with our proverbial eggs in many proverbial baskets. Our merchandise, including our print collections, often smooth out the low points in our ad revenue and vice versa.

A: Do you have any advice for aspiring artists and writers?

J: For artists, especially cartoonists looking to update regularly and build an audience, I can't stress this enough: have a buffer. Nothing annoys webcomic readers more than erratic updates, which seem to be the leading cause of churn in reader numbers. Consistent updates are a must, and the more frequently they occur the better. That said, you should never exceed your reach; find a frequency that works for you and stick with it. You can always adjust your schedule later if need be, but only do so after you've worked at it a while and you know what you're capable of. If you have a proven track record, your readers will be more willing to adjust on the rare occasion that you have to change your schedule.

But on top of it all, having a buffer shields your readers from the random fluctuations that life throws at you. Not to be crass, but most readers won't care if your dog is sick or your assignment at school/work is due the next day. They want their comic fix, and when they don't get it they'll be peeved. Having a buffer means your updates remain consistent even when your life doesn't. Even if you prefer the spontaneity of updating five minutes before midnight, keeping a backup buffer of generic strips can help keep a comic that thrives on current events from disappearing off readers' radars due to stale websites.

For both writers and artists, be prepared for the harsh criticisms of the Web. People online can be merciless, especially if they believe they have anonymity on their side. You need to know how to separate constrictive criticism from destructive criticism, embracing and learning from the former while letting the latter wash over you without affecting you. Be prepared to develop a thick skin to the trolls while still being sensitive to those truly wanting to help you improve. Many hard core webcomic readers are prepared to invest a little time in you to let you grow and develop, but that generosity won't last forever.

Most importantly, if you're publishing your work online, you need to be doing it first and foremost for yourself. If you don't enjoy what you're doing, odds are you're readers won't either. Apathy can leak into your work and it shows. I've seen a fair number of comics come out from people deluded into thinking they can make a quick buck or garner 15+ minutes of fame, only to not have the staying power because they were in it for all the wrong reasons. Your readers will only have fun if you're having fun first.

Learn more about this author, Aaron Kassander.
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