Ten Tips for Search Engine Optimization

Don't let anybody misinform you: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) matters, and it matters a lot.

Although it should go without explanation, here's why: Google is the Number One Web site in the world (with an estimated 900 million unique visitors a month). Yahoo is Number 3, and Bing is Number 10.

And most of those people are on those sites for one reason and one reason alone: They're looking for content. It boggles my mind that the same people who are yearning to extend the reach of their comic beyond the "webcomics community" can't see the value of SEO. It is -- absolutely -- your ability to reach new readers. And that's what we're all trying to do, right?

So, SEO... if you underestimate it, you're making a grave mistake.

To that end, I wanted to share ten tips I've collected to help you move towards optimizing your site's SEO potential.

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Hitch It / Ditch It Hot Seat: Superpower Union and Modest Comics

This is the return of the Hitch It / Ditch It Hot seat. It's the same format as before. I'll talk about each participating comic and I'll discuss one thing I think is working great and one thing that I think needs some work. Then the discussion is opened up to the group. Links to the comics being discussed are in the headers.

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Saturday Deep Dive: Work for Hire

Today's dive into the deeper archive of Webcomics.com brings us to an important legal term: Work for Hire.

In the course of your work as a cartoonist, the chances are overwhelming that, sooner or later, you're going to hear "Work For Hire." It's a very good idea to understand it....

Read the entire post and comment there.

Friday Archive Dive: Should I Take a Break?

Today's Archive Dive is from June 7, 2012, when we talked about giving it a rest for a while.

Q.: I have to juggle my Monday - Friday comic and high school.  As you might know, it's easy to get burnt out when you stay up until 3am every night drawing. How frequently should a webcartoonist of my level take breaks?  And what's the best way to tell your readers?

I read Dave Kellett's "You Deserve a Break" in the Webcomics.com archives, so at least I don't feel guilty about taking a break!

A.: Sure, you don't feel guilty, but now I do... kinda.

Read the entire post and comment there.

Mailbag: Illustration board and templates

Q.: I am currently developing my first webcomic but I am unsure about the paper size I need to purchase for a four panel strip. I would like to alternate between a four panel and three panel strip. Also I was wondering if you hand draw every panel that you do or did you create a template for your panels?

A.: There are as many ways to do this as there are artists. But let's talk about a few options.

First of all, there's no such thing as a standard size for comic strips any more -- unless you have a credible shot of getting printed in newspapers. That being said, I think the aspect ratio of the standard newspaper comic strip is awfully pleasing and darned flexible, so I've stuck with it. Plus, it makes things simple when newspapers do want to run my strips...