Demographics

Who's it for?

In writing instructional books, there used to be this bit about deciding who your story/screenplay/series is FOR. This is a notion used in the industry (so I've read) to figure out who the audience is going to be for a given project. In general terms, is this thing for young men? Young women? Kids? Adult women? Adult men? Cacti?

We've talked about the big franchises that seem to be dividing the fanbases and alienating the hardcore supporters. I've heard accusations toward several of them (I think it was specifically talking about Star Trek Discovery) that they seem to have purposely turned their backs on the 'old' fans, and decided to cater to a group of people who a/ love the JJ Abrahams reimagining of the series and b/ want to watch a Star Trek series with that sensibility.

The original and even the Next Generation fans - they were abandoned in favor of a dark, violent, almost fantasy-based thing, with a ham-fisted "progressive" paint job.

Hey, at least that TNG vibe lives on in The Orville!

I guess as far as web comics go, it's up to individual creator to do something YOU love (in fact, that's probably essential! You want to keep yourself interested in what you're doing, or what's the point?).

Beyond that, it's up to you if you're making something for one friend, a small group of people who know you, or whoever happens to click on your comic.

But when it comes to promoting, giving some thought to what tones and what genres you're doing is a good idea. You'll know which websites to advertise on, what kinds of fans would like your thing, and how to choose thumbnail images and fonts and stuff (and to be able to correct if you go off course).

The problem with the Trek of it all, and other big franchises that targeted a 'new' demographic -

Sometimes that demographic doesn't exist!

You can try to sell to whatever demo you like - but the imaginary demo? They don't pay the bills.

Have a good one,

Banes