Hey folks, I’m just giving you a heads up letting you know that there will be a few design tweaks to the site in the upcoming weeks to accommodate some ad banners. It won’t be anything drastic, probably a horizontal ad in the main header and some smaller ones on the sidebar. I won’t be compromising the comic size at all.
As some of you are aware, I’m trying to turn this website into my sole source of income and as much as I didn’t want to use advertising it would be stupid of me not to. The original idea for this site was for it to act like a promotional tool for my freelance career. People would dig my illustration style and want to hire me for freelance work. However, this site has taken on a life of its own. I’ve gotten hundreds of email from readers telling me how much this site means to them, that the comics really brighten up their days and if I ever stopped making them they would punch me in the face. Seeing as I would like my face to remain unpunched, combined with the huge amount of joy that creating these cartoon quotes have brought me has made me realise I want to devote all of my time to Zen Pencils. It’s made me realise I don’t want to do freelance work! I just want to keep making these comics for as long as possible. So much so that I’ve regrettably had to turn down some freelance offers because there’s not enough time to do both.
Anyway, that’s a long-winded reason on why I’ve decided to experiment with ads. We’ll see how it goes. I’m also working on selling some t-shirts and other merchandise in the near future. I’ve had a few generous readers offer me donations but that’s not something I’m ok with.
As always, I appreciate all your comments/emails/tweets/fb messages of support.
- Gav
You should also get a banner for donating. It’s definitely not charity since you give a free service (bringing inspiration and joy with your illustrations) and your “followers” should be willing to show their gratitude somehow.
I have considered a donate button … maybe. I’m not really comfortable with it.
if you’re not comfortable with a donate-button (understandable, because it sounds kind of wrong), ever heard of or thought about “flattr”? the whole principle behind this service would suit you perfectly (it’s just like tipping a good musician on the street when you really like what he’s playing)
Here in Europe flattr is growing into a “thing” and it’s helping a lot of podcasters and bloggers … so why not an artist who makes us smile and think, with every comic he makes
Thanks Pete – Flattr sounds cool. I’ve bookmarked the site!
I would tooootally donate, Gavin. Pin it up — it’s not like you make your art subscription-only… if people want to give, they give! I have a feeling there are more ‘want to, but have no way to’ peeps here than you might realize!
Your art has proven its value, to me at least… and it’s nothing to be ashamed of, to have a non-pushy way for people to reciprocate.
I was going to suggest Flattr as well, but Pete beat me to it.
Also, have you thought of collecting some of your more popular cartoons into a book? Lulu, for example, would enable you to self-publish your work and it would make a very nice addition to my coffee table
I agree with putting them into a book!
I would buy it 
Maybe you could extend the selling of your art to europe. I am German and I would love to buy one of your posters, but the shipping…
FREE international shipping this week Rene!
Ooohh free international shipping! Goed idee voor hier aan me muur in Nederland!!
Banner is easy money for you so for reading free comics I have no problem with egnoring them
Hab auch letztens 2 Poster bestellt als das Angebot bestand. Das einzig Dumme, ab 22EUR musst du Mehrwertst. bezahlen und weil der Zoll zu doof war englisch zu lesen wurde es nicht zugestellt, sondern ich musste es am Arsch der Welt mit Stuuundenwartezeit abholen. Lieber hätte ich shipping bezahlt…^^ aber es hat sich gelohnt!
Can anyone translate?
Google Translate says:
Have also recently ordered two posters as the offer was. The only trouble, from 22 EUR you have to VALUE ADDED TAX. pay, and because the duty was too stupid to read English, it was not delivered, but I had to pick the middle of nowhere with Stuuundenwartezeit. I would prefer to pay for shipping … ^ ^ but it was worth it!
I say (German native speaker):
“I bought two posters lately during the offer. The trouble was that starting at 22EUR, you do have to pay sales tax and because the custom was to stupid to read English, it was not delivered and I had to pick it up in the middle of nowhere waiting many hours. I would have preferred to pay for shipping…^^^but it was totally worth it.”
Maybe not a perfect translation but at least I beat Google Translate^^ I Love your art!
Thanks for the translation and thanks Sarah for all that effort!
I want to give you money without actually having less money in my pocket. Therefore, banner ads sound like a brilliant idea, and I’m all for it.
Good to hear Steven
Good luck with the site expansion. I think a couple of tasteful, well placed ads wont harm anyone, and will help to keep the site and your work sustainable. Just be sure to have a backup strategy in case of difficulties, and stay in touch with your freelance contacts, you might need to utilize them again in the future – don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Back-up plans are for wimps
In that case, full speed ahead! ^^
it seems you want to be the man in the arena
I just might take advantage of your free intl. shipping week !!
Love the work,keep it up.
Best of luck.
Well said… they stunt true creativity.
Thumbs up on the ads, as long as we can view the art without them once we scroll past it. Knowing one can only truly sustain that which puts food on the table (the kind of work one does even when you wake up not feeling like doing it), I’m all for you generating any income you can from the blogsite.
Wanna put a fat donate button up somewhere?
There is nothing wrong with having some ads on you site.You deserve to get paid for your great work. It is hard for any artist. I am just waiting for the day when I see your work in the newspapers, magazines, and the zenpencils iphone app.
Thanks Mike – iphone app … good idea
And for Android too!
Good to hear about the ads! I wish you the best. Great work!
I think ads are a good idea for now, you have a lot of eyeballs on this site and it’d be a shame not to capitalize on that. if in the future you get enough cash from other sources then you can always take them away again.
Just the fact that you’re doing this 100% is inspiring. Good luck man.
Hey Gav, I have the Bruce Lee’s “Be Water my Friend” on my cubicle. Each day it reminds of me one how i should face work issues …. I think its a great idea that you are expanding. Would def support…flattr sounds good… Keep up the great work…
Cheers from Singapore
Whoops! I’m currently using AdBlock Plus! Hopefully you put the donation button too.
Hi Gav,
Kindly accept my appretiation for, primarily your vision of leading your life on your accord and ofcourse without a doubt the awesomeness of your art! Advertisments also are a form or art, though their purpose more often than not, is commercial. If you allow me to suggest, can the advertisment you post here be a reflection of what you truly endrose and not from anybody who is ready to pay a bigger buck? (And I hope you do not endrose Mc D’s or Coke). Once again thank you for brightening up my days with your art!
I use Adblock Plus, but I *will* disable it for your site!
Me too… AdBlock is bursting with awesome, but I’ll gladly make an exception for Zen Pencils.
Keep doing your thing, sir.
You should definitely do it! And I’m also gonna disable it for this side.
Nothing wrong with a donate button. The arts have a long history of patrons supporting the art they like. Like others, I run ad/script/beacon blocking software, and would prefer to donate to you directly rather than open up to ads. I also think the book is a great idea. I’ve purchased books from several web comics as gifts for friends. Your book could be in a couple of versions – one with perforated pages suitable for removal and posting on walls, and a higher quality book meant to stay whole.
mmm ok, I think you’ve convinced me to put a donate button up. Thanks, i’m really touched that so many of you have offered! And yes, a book collection is definitely one of my main goals – but I want at least 100 comics to be in each collection. I’ve got a long way to go!
I love the fact that I found out about Zen Pencils so early. It becoming your only provider of money is just fair since it’s such a great job you’re doing. Ads, Donation, books, it doesn’t matter, It’ll be a success.
Thanks Victor!
I hope you’ll have a fulfilling career/life. This site is one of my faves now. It’d be a shame if it turns to oblivion. I know people will support this site. And about that book collection..you’ll have dozens by the time your 40!
I personally don’t think you need ads but if you feel they’re necessary then that is all that matters, obviously you are trying to generate enough revenue for you to live on and do this as your full time gig so I can respect that however there are plenty of other ways…
1. How are other non-ad comic websites generating dollars, can you do what they are doing?
2. Are you able to branch out and change your main comic strip into other areas such as quote based greeting cards that people can purchase.
3. What about T’s or stickers? You have a wealth of comics to print to. Why aren’t you selling some of your comics to T shirts? Obviously not an entire comic theme but you have some major screens that would fit.
There are plenty more and I know you are probably very well aware of how to generate dollars compromising the current design and flow of your site.
I wish you the best, and am a big fan of your work Gav.
/Cass
I’m not one to normally post on sites but had to make an exception here. I really enjoy your work (so much so I’ve purchased a print, was inspired to get a tattoo of part of Invictus, a poem I’ve loved since HS and am about to buy another print). Keep up the great work and your illustration style is really nice.
Flattr is a good idea .. Ads wont hurt ..
Can u do a comic on “what a wonderful world” by Louis Armstrong .. From a 1st or 3rd person point of view , hes walking and seeing all the things mentioned in the song , and at the end you show Louis’s face , His big-smile face that everyone loves ..
thanks , if not , still got love for you..
Hi, Gav. Love your work, and I definitely support both ads and a donate button. (With the donate button, someone who wants to help but can’t afford to buy a poster, etc., could still give what they can.) I think the work done by artists and writers in your position is generally undervalued, and that being having a donate button is like being able to give money to our (US) National Public Radio Stations, who provide content to everyone, not just those who pay for it.
I’m one of your first fans and i say: PUT ALL THE BANNERS YOU WANT AND MAKE ALL THE MONEY YOU CAN! YOU DESERVE IT!
Stop being coy and get a donate button! We all love your work and want to help so you can keep making awesome art! I’d definitely punch you in the face if you stopped making these! (Kidding!) Get it up here!
Sounds good for me, just like CHECHO said.
I love the idea of flattr, like tipping you for being amazing (because you are). I can’t wait to see a donate/flattr button up! Also, I have no problem with the idea of you putting up ads. I use adblock as well, but I will unblock your page, too.
I also second the suggestions of things like quote-based greeting cards with your illustrations. I’d also suggest perhaps postcards and things like coasters and tote bags. I did see that you were doing t-shirts, which is awesome. Best of luck to you with whatever you decide! I look forward to the first Zen Pencils book!
Ok, I’ve put a PAYPAL and FLATTR button up!
You’re Flattr’ed
My first Flattr! Thanks Paul
I do not like banner ads.
But with that said, I do not like the thought of an artist I respect starving either.
I’ve been online enough to learn to ignore them, plus if I really dislike them there’s always adblocker.
Ads don’t bother me in general, but please, please PLEASE! no ads that automatically pop open and obscure the comic when I hit the site and can’t close because I can’t find the hidden close button. Yahoo, and others, do this from time to time and it’s incredibly aggravating.
Ever heard of AdBlock Plus? Banner away to your hearts content
I have all of your drawings on my computer and change my desktop regularly to one of your drawings I like. Not to praise you too much but your work is awesome. Keep ‘em coming Gav
-Will Indian
When you release some t-shirts, please make sure that all sizes are catered for, even us fat boys and girls
.