It's not often that I'm willing to discuss the inner workings of GU; it just feels like I'm pulling back the curtain to expose the man at the controls. That example is probably far closer to the truth than I'd like it to be. Meaning, as the sole person responsible for GU if I pull back the curtain too far, people will be looking directly at me. And, apparently, I'm a touch uncomfortable with that level of scrutiny. But GU is first and foremost a community. Everyone here is part of it. So, this blog section is supposed to help me get over my trepidations and keep you guys informed as to how GU is doing, and where I intend to take it next.


Traffic
In the spirit of blunt honesty, I will say, without equivocating that I am concerned. For the last couple of years the traffic through GU has begun to stagnate. Our readership is still growing but the curve is flattening out. But, (and this will be a theme throughout this entry) I am an artist; I have no idea how to grow the site. It's never been a focus of mine. In the field of dreams style of thinking, I always figured if I drew it "they" would come. And they did; but, we certainly haven't experienced the level of success that some newer sites have enjoyed. I'd like to change that; but, do not know how.

Advertising
When I first started GU, advertising was not even a consideration. But, as the site grew and I began dedicating more of my day to it (eventually making it my full time job) the need for advertising dollars became apparent. In a couple of years it became my primary source of income. But there have been some missteps. On two different occasions I've put control of GU advertising in the hands of other people and the end result was not what I'd hoped for. Since the beginning of last month GU has not made a single dollar from advertising. I'm an artist, not a salesman. I do not know how to cold call/email companies and successfully ask them to give me money.

Taxes
Last year was a really good year for GU. But, because of issues beyond my control, all of the money I earned slipped away along with my reserves leaving me with a significant tax bill that I couldn't pay outright. This has been driving my decisions lately. And as much as I hate to do it, it's an issue that I will have to beg for help with. As it stands the plan is to open the site to panel sales, original artwork auctions, and commissions again. Donations are much appreciated, but I prefer to feel like you folks got something for your money.

xViews
xViews is a project to support the writing endeavors of the GU readership and to provide a place for industry professionals to speak their mind and discuss issues related to their field. This section is currently in the works and should be opening at GU soon.

Donations
I'm currently working on a new donation system at GU that would associate levels of reward with levels of contribution. The idea is not fully fleshed out. So, I can't go into tremendous detail. But, this would let us get back to giving away artwork from wallpapers, etc.

Writing
I've contended since the beginning of GU that I am not a writer. I don't think the comic is terrible. I've read worse. But, I'm a perfectionist. I want the best for the comic AND for the readership. If I ever found a writer that seemed to share my views and understood the true nature of my characters, I'd bring them on board to write for GU in a heart beat.

Forums
The forums are strict; they always have been. The purpose is to make a safe place for people to post their views without feeling like they're going to be attacked. And though some folks consider the rules too limiting, others have found that they can say anything they like as long as they learn how to apply the rules to what they say and how they say it. There are a few holding points such as politics and religion, but this is because every thread we've ever had about one of those two issues has degraded quickly into useless, rule breaking strife. And, that's just not what the forums are about. That being said, the forum rules need to be changed a little bit. The Easy Ways aren't all easy ways to get in trouble any more. A handful of them are considered minor issues these days and should be "Unspoken" Rules instead. That particular shakeup will happen in time and we'll deal with it as it comes. There will be a forum announcement when they're done.


So there you have it; GU's first blog post. A little bitching, a little whining, and a whole lot of info about GU that I wouldn't typically share (particularly the money stuff so don't give me crap about it). Other than that, comment away. And if you're a person with the knowledge/time to help me on one of the issues listed above, please let me know.

I suppose every artist needs a place where he/she can inform others of their current works.

At the end you said, 'a little bitching, a little whining', thruth be told I don't get that sentiment at all.

This has been my homepage since almost forever and I completely forget when I came on board.

The blog is a nice touch, I remember I used to read a blog thrice a week about, well, anything really, it was about games and gaming news with links and sometimes a blog about how there really isn't any news or new games today but heres a link to something 'cool'.

Your daily writeups already cover that tho, your comic + write-up is kinda like a mini 'illustrated-blog' in it's own right. I enjoy reading them, sometimes more than looking at the comic, cause frankly I don't get EQ jokes.

Well, I have a habit of writing way to much in a forum, I enjoy writing, i can write about anything forever... yeah, i should sumbit now.. er.. now

When I read this I pictured Woody sitting behind a desk with the GU seal behind him, in a suit and all. Like when a president does a State of the Union address from the Oval Office. Ofcourse I also picture Ted trying to stick his head up into the picture to get his 15seconds of fame. Infact if your looking for a joke idea, there ya go. Can post something like that whenever you do a State of GU address.

Thanks Woody, that's pretty straight up stuff. I welcome the opportunity to help you ($$$) by helping me (cool artwork). Win Win!

Your blog is interesting, glad your doing it.
I have been wondering if you go to comic conventions, from what I have read from other web-comics the artists usually get a few new readers from there, of course they also run the usual gambit of fans and jerks. And the profits of going to a convention at first doesn't cover the costs but in the long run they do pay off.

Another gimmick that I have seen on other comics was to do a side comic were the amount of money donated dictates how the side comic precedes. "Goblins" in particular have appeared to be doing this to great sucess.
I truely hope the comunity here can help you out, there are many here who have alot of knowleage in the areas you have asked help in, if I was even half good at spelling and grammer I would offer my help in the writeing area but I would only drive you nuts lol .

great blog post. sorry to hear about the whole money thing. If you need any help on how to put together a sales pitch just let me know as I'm a salesman, was a district sales manager, and am working on my maketing degree. Also if there's any questions I can't answer my bestfriend is an account manager that specializes in multi-million dollar B2B sales. Again, anything I can do to help just let me know.

While I obviously can't guarantee you'd land any ad accounts with my help(I have no experience in advertising sales) I still may be able to help you think like a slimy, money grubbing salesman.

I'll take any help I can get X_Spearmint. Send me and email. We'll talk.

Originally Posted by Woody:

Advertising
When I first started GU, advertising was not even a consideration. But, as the site grew and I began dedicating more of my day to it (eventually making it my full time job) the need for advertising dollars became apparent. In a couple of years it became my primary source of income. But there have been some missteps. On two different occasions I've put control of GU advertising in the hands of other people and the end result was not what I'd hoped for. Since the beginning of last month GU has not made a single dollar from advertising. I'm an artist, not a salesman. I do not know how to cold call/email companies and successfully ask them to give me money.

Stupid question: Why not go with something like google ads?

Stupid Answer: We're already rotating Google Ads.