Hi folks, this is an important post to let you know that comics will now be updating only once a week – every Tuesday.
It’s been awhile since I’ve written a post explaining what’s been going on with me and the blog, and the reason is related to why I’m decreasing the updates. I’ve basically been drawing and making comics non-stop for the last few months and haven’t had the time to write anything or do any work on this site.
I’m also finding that the deadline sometimes compromises the quality of the work. I’d rather produce one good comic a week instead of two so-so pieces a week. So I’m going with a quality over quantity mandate. And I much rather enjoy producing the long narrative comics over the one-piece posters but those take a lot longer to complete so the new schedule will help me finish them without stressing about not getting them done in time to post on a Tuesday or Friday. The one-piece posters won’t be disappearing completely, I plan to still do those when I have the time and post them in addition to the regular update.
The new schedule will also give me more time to work on the business/marketing/cold-hard-cash side of the website which has been badly neglected. I’ve been so focused on producing comics I haven’t been able to explore new merchandise ideas or market the blog in any way. I guess this is what a lot of small-business owners go through when they start. The artist/craftsman throws themselves into producing the work they know and love, but forget all the other things that go into running a successful business. And as much as this website is about following my passion, if I want to turn it into my livelihood, I have to get a bit more serious about the ‘other things’.
Speaking of business, the prints are selling steadily (thank you!) and advertising on the site is finally starting to generate a bit of revenue. I would say I’m earning about half the income I was making at my old 9-5 job. Considering this site only launched in February, I’d say that’s pretty good! Traffic on the site slowly grows every week and new readers are always sending me emails or posting comments to introduce themselves, which I always appreciate.
Also, I was invited to speak on my first panel! I’ll be pretending to know what I’m talking about at the ProBlogger conference in Melbourne this weekend. I’m on a panel that’s titled Taking a new blog to success. So that’s pretty exciting, wish me luck. I’ll try and get some pictures so I can post about it.
All in all, everything is great, I’m still loving making these comics and sharing them with you. I’m off on a holiday next month for three weeks so I’m going to be in serious work-mode until then so I can have regular comics update while I’m away (I hope!).
So again: NEW COMIC EVERY TUESDAY.
Thank you for your continued awesomeness,
Gav
Thank YOU for your continued awesomeness!
Keep up the awesome work! You’re a great artist.
Personally, as much as I like your one-piece comics, I too love the long narrative ones better. And as long as you feel you’re making your best – That’s what really counts.
And good luck with the panel!
Gav, if scaling back your release schedule helps you take care of the business nuts and bolts so that you can *make your living* drawing this comic, I am all for it! I love all of your work, whether large or small, and I will look forward to anything you post for us.
I am glad you are following your heart on this comic blog.
Thanks a lot guys, always appreciate the support.
You sir, will make me look forward to Tuesdays more than ever before.
I’ve never seen a so-so piece here! But it’s good to change the routine. Besides, we will have more time to think about the comic’s message and give a deeper feedback.
Regards!
Gav, totally understand and i wouldn’t mind an awesome masterpiece every week either. Also, congrat in your first speaking gig!!! Keep us updated and looking forward to hear your experience about it.
Brian
First let me wish you the very best at Melbourne.
As a small entrepreneur myself I fully understand what it takes to follow one’s passion ahead of earning a living from a day job. May your passion and business fuse into one and give you a happy living experience.
I thought your USP (uniqueness) has been that you make a wise saying into a strip of cartoons. Not just a line into a poster. I hope you will be able to establish a niche for yourself and start making decent money sooner than later.
There is a saying by Mahatma Gandhi that full effort is full victory.
http://sourcesofinsight.com/gandhi-quotes/
Thanks again for your weekly inspiration = once a week is as good as twice a week. Keep it going!
Srinin
Hi From India!.. I started following this site almost from the time it was launched. Brilliant work!
Good to hear that everything is great Gav!
We highly respect your decision. Making two comics per week is really tiresome.
Thanks for inspiring all of us! Keep it up!
Man u are amazing >:D<….thanks for all the inspiration u bless me with through your posts
….i wish you all the best 
That’s great news! Keep going sir!
ONCE A WEEK? GAVVVVV! NO!!!!!!.. wahahahhah. its cool man… a man gta do what a man gta do. Good luck at the event! heehhe
I would rather have greatness once a week than okness more than once a week. You do what you gotta do to keep the muse working.
Awesome, your comics are great!
Good luck with the ‘other side’ of the business. It can be tedious for you creative people and I hope you have some support. I know a good virtual PA if you need one
I’ll be at Problogger and look forward to your panel.
Great, look forward to meeting you Lisa
Hi Gav,
Just don’t burn out or loose your enthusiasm. Once a month is still better than nothing. Oh, and thanks for this whole stuff, really inspirational. The quotes and your commitment too!
This project is all about following your heart. That means all aspects. We are so fortunate that you share your work. The schedule that works for you is the one you should follow.
You have an interesting business challenge. Since we don’t pay a subscription you really don’t us a timeline on when you publish. You seem a decent guy and building goodwill is good business, I get that. I would guess that one great one that sells well is better business than ten that are nice but don’t really sell. However, since you have advertising now the amount of hits to your site generates revenue. It would make sense to publish faster in that case. I subscribe on Facebook so I am never disappointed to come to your site. I always come to it when a new comic is posted and your comics never disappoint.
I look forward to see how this works out for you, and especially to more comics. I hope that great art wins out over good.
Good luck and all the best to you!
Greg
Thanks for the support peeps!
I know less updates might mean less traffic, hence less ad revenue. This is just an experiment, if it doesn’t work then I’ll go back to two updates. I’m still trying to find the perfect balance.
I see no problem here!
So-so piece? Liar!
Best wishes, from another early subscriber.
So what you are saying is drawing these things take a whole lot longer than boob jokes? hahah
I think it is a great plan. You can tell how much you pour into each one of these. I think one a week is awesome and gives you the ability to market your brand.
Love your long comics. Continue the great work
You’re awesome Gav! Keep up the good work. It’s so exciting seeing your website grow. I just hope it turns out to be successful for you because your work is stunning and you deserve it
Dissapointed but i understand where it is coming from.
At least make the updates on Monday or Friday to either make my workweek start or weekend start
Good luck with bussiness aspect of your work.
Tuesdays with Morrie is one of my favourite books.
But from now on, for me, it will be Tuesdays with Zen Pencils.
Love your work Gav. Wish you all the best for the ProBloggers panel.
It’s much appreciated, friend!
I fall in love with every comic you post, they’re all very inspiring and your talent is obvious. I will look forward to Tuesdays!
As long as they keep coming, I don’t care about the intervals.
A website is like a good dish. Without the plate (infrastructure) and food arrangements (layout), when laid amongst the plethora of other dishes it just doesn’t stand out, and thus doesn’t sell.
do what you can to improve, I think you’ll have everyone’s understanding support. Bless you and keep up the good work
once is more than enough to inspire… awesome work by the way…
Again, seriously … thanks. I’m grateful to have such wonderful readers
Im gonna start clicking some ads so you make more money and can keeping making these awesome comics.
Ha ha ok thanks, don’t go too crazy though, I think they can track your clicks
Wow! If this is you compromising and rushing your comics, I cannot wait to see your comics getting even better
But still, your comics are always awesome. Love your take on things and love the recent dragon comic!
Me too!
I wish you ongoing success, Gav, your site and your heart are one in a million. Do what you need to succeed! I would have to second a sense of astonishment that if what you have been producing is “rushed” and “lesser,” I can only dream of what will come.
Peace, and prosperity!
Thanks for the support DH
Well, this is messing with my internal clock.
I tell what day it is by how long until/since zenpencils released something new…
Haha, but whatever works Gav.
Perhaps you could do three every two weeks?
Sorry to mess u up Calibur
i always prefer quality over quantity. don’t let anyone give you any guff (if they are hahaha).
tuesdays are my fave now.