Posted on 2010-02-08 00:00:50
Hey peoples! Greg and I are going to be working on the front end of the site, so if it seems borked we are working on that xD
And hay, it’s those people.
Audience
This can be tricky.
What social group of people are you making the comic for? Gamers? College students? Older people? A young audience? Or a more established readership? Knowing this important factor can help you develop a readership quickly and keep them longer because you know how to market for that demographic. It can even help you determine things like the comic mood and website design. Which will bring us to our next topic later on.
When I did this comic at first I had no idea about what kind of audience I was aimed at. But after taking Graphic Design that course really delved into what an audience was, and how you can market yourself for that audience, what their likes and dislikes are, and to, basically, get into their heads. And I found this very useful because it can even be applied to webcomics.
EDIT: This is just an example of the majority of people who tend to like this kind of comic. I KNOW people who don’t fit it enjoy the comic as well. Not everyone will like everything that is posted, or will only like one or two things from the list below. This is an estimate.
For example: The TZH audience consists of mostly American males and females who range between the average ages of 12-40 or older. The people who read TZH usually express and interest in RPGs, books, and videogames that pertain to the post apocalyptic genre, or are into various ’survivalist-like-type’ outdoor sports and hobbies, like air soft or paintball. Some have a military background or in the military, or participate in another survivalist type leisure pursuit. People of this nature are usually into world building, fine details, and need to know everything about everything, because of their nature they usually like to know their surroundings fairly well, almost like knowing ‘all the exits’ and all the tools you have on hand, because people who are in this type of demographic are ‘tactical problem solvers’.
Because of all these audience factors TZH has evolved into an expansive detailed, and elaborate world with a lot of dimension to it. Knowing these factors helped me develop the story to better suit myself and my readers, and helped build the encyclopedia and the basic skeleton for the TZH world.
I’m mostly the typical demographics then.
And maybe….FIRST! :)
wHOOPS…I was so excited, I mis-typed. I meant to say out of the typical demographics. *Bad poster*
Out of the typical demographics too. Female, Graphic Design, no idea of military or RPG’s. ^^;
I’m betting the second largest is female college-age artsy types. xD
I love the bitter Jenny tirade on this page.
I’m this too! & a Brit. but my other half would probably fit the bill!
Same here :D but studying archaeology XD
Or girls who like zombies + comics
I prefer “Mmmm. Congressional Medals of Circular Scrumptiousness” to “Mmmm. cookies.”
Female of the middle school variety. Do love zombie video games though.
And can I just say I REALLY want Jenny’s coat?
Cause I do.
Do what you want, the demographics will take care of itself. It’s been a damn good ride so far. Keep it up.
PS I hope RPG is Role Playing Game and not Rocket Propelled Grenade ^_^
Oh? But why can’t it be both? *hefts his +5 Big Boom Stick of Awesomeness*
Interesting, I’m a Dutch female. I *am* into RPGs, books and PC-games though, but the post-apocalyptic genre is only a small part of it.
Hmmmm, interesting!
I don’t fit the base demographic at all. Mid-20s Canadian female! I have an interest in rpgs, books and games, though zombies and survival horror are definitely not my favorite genres! And the closest to “survival” interests I have is participation in medieval martial arts (aka stuff like SCA). Though I guess my favorite game genre is Stategy RPG, so maybe that fits “tactical problem solving”?
I’m a French female that doesn’t play video games, doesn’t do sports or any survivalist hobby, is in law school and generally dislikes war and the military, and your comic is what got me in the survival/post-apocalyptic genre in the first place XD
The fine details and world-building are the reason I became so fascinated by your story (together with the amazing art), though, so I guess I was more of a collateral effect of the demographic you aimed for.
Heh. I’m the female artsy type. I’m from the UK, into post-apocalyptic books but not games, RPGS or paintball. No military background, and definitely not a tactical thinker.
heh, chimpanzee riding on a segway.
don’t that lady look surprised? xD;;;
Female, mid-30s. I am a sci-fi/fantasy fan and a bit of a LARPer, but don’t play computer games. Not generally a fan of horror, either, but I love comics.
I’m an artist myself, and I have a strong appreciation for good art + good story. You, ma’am, have both.
Yep, you know me so well
white male
17
likes:
video games
Post-apocalyptic stuff
Survival
paintball
rpgs
zombies
but I wouldn’t exactly call myself “tactical”
That got me pegged, 27 year old, American, active duty military, gamer, table top RPG player, back country hiker, zombie obsessed.
I’m a transvestite, vampire, lumberjack, from Atlantis interested only in Midget Wrestling.
I think you greatly underestimate how many of my fellow Atlanteans enjoy your strip. We ARE the silent majority.
… Okay that’s not true I am exactly your typical reader… I feel shame now.
Best. Comment. Ever. :)
Agreed! xD
I’m an Asian 18-year-old and I love your comic :) I also love survival horror game and horror films….I’m actually the only one around here who loves them…makes me feel kind of special but more sad and lonely ): oh and CONGRATS ON GETTIN MARRIED!!! <3
I fit parts of the demographic. American, Male, 25. I like RPG’s, books, and video games but the post-apocalyptic isn’t the main theme I go with. I’m not in the military or so active outdoors anymore, but I catch myself analyzing fixtures like fire suppression and security systems in most buildings.
Guys, she did say it was an ESTIMATE.
And to be fair, I fit the mold perfectly – American female, I’ve read an ass load of zombie books and played a few zombie games my friends don’t even know exist ~
Either way, I think we can all agree that the comic is rad. Yes?
Yes <3
Well since everyone here is posting their details, I might as well join on. :)
23 year old Dutch Male.
-Video Game player with a preference to RPG’s
-Employee of an outdoor store
-No military background
-Student Western-Philosophy
I do however always have a pocket-version of the S.A.S. Survival-guide in the bottom of my backpack. :P
And yes, the comic is awesome and part of my list of 50 webcomics. :X
American 31 year old male into video games and wanting a chip with a segway. :D
Hey, im trying to make a comic lately, I also live in the sault, and im wondering how your able to copy allthe scenery so perfectly. do you take pictures? It’d be awesome to be as good as you some time xD.. and I hear alot of teachers at bawating talking about you too. aha..
American, mid-40s, white, former RPG-er, former Paintballer, into zombies and wargames. Yeah, I guess I sort of fit the profile.
I also like the storytelling and character development.
How do I enter the “Win a Chimp on a Segway” contest?
ok, i’m not sure whether people really got the reference (i assume it was a reference and not some craaazy coincidence) and no one so far has commented on it (except one lovely person up there)
search “chimpanzee riding on a segway” on youtube for the greatest video ever. (not sure if you’re allowed to post links here)
but yeah, 18, male, english, love videogames and books, but have yet to find a post apocalyptic one that has truly gripped me. and zombies usually do NOTHING for me. (exception in this case of course ;)) I’m very much a tactical person, i often have more fun figuring out tactics than actually putting them to use. and as for the survivalist thing, in under 2 weeks i’m going reballing for the first time :P
Yeah, I’m not usually into zombies, roleplaying check, but what drew me here was the art. I simply LOVE it. Especially, for some reason, the bloodstains..
The creator is psychic. Former USAF myself and she hit it spot on.
The crazy thing such a story as this one isn’t that far fetched which makes it all the more interesting.
I’m also a nerd who enjoys art, sci-fi, zombies, horror and add in the mix of firearms, martial arts, militaria, history and cooking :D
THIS story ROCKS! Spreading news of it everywhere.
Guess I fit the bill, male, early 30’s, military background. I’m not really into RPG’s, but I do have a fascination with zombies or anything post apocalyptic. I’m also a nerd who enjoys comics, manga, sci-fi, and world history.
Yeah, she pretty much pegged me: I’m male, 28, in law enforcement, big into hiking and camping / anything outdoors, I’ve done martial arts for years, love detailed world building, and love history.
It wasn’t until I read that description that I realized how many of the comics / books I read are predicated on detailed, smart world building: everything from American Gods to Alpha Shade(which is sadly partly defunct these days) to Tolkein in my youth to Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell(Some of the best world building I’ve ever seen). I don’t know why I have that predeliction, but it has definitely been a major factor in drawing me to this comic.
It seems like you still have trouble drawing faces in different angles. The eyes become different sizes and in the last panel blonde guy just looks… Off xD His eyebrows are far larger than his actual eyes. Gotta pluck them things.
wth?
I haven’t been here for months and this is all you’ve done?
Jeez, just quit now.
I really hope this was supposed to be a sarcastic comment, but I guess with a name such as Bitchy Emma you enjoy pulling others down so you can feel better about yourself. Im sorry if you were just kidding. Thats being said, I do fit the mold:
- French Canadian
- Male, 21
- Enjoy post-apocalyptic themed stuff
- Big fan of p-a larping (there’s some great ones here in Québec)
- Not into RPG games much
- Enjoy drawing and actually working on a graphic novel project of my own (page 128 !)
Keep up the good work ! You’re a great source of inspiration and your comic is really great. I do apologise if I made any errors while writing this; been a long time since I wrote something in english.
Some ppl. just don’t realize how long projects like that actually take… well…try out for yourself and try doing it for months or even years…
Guys, please don’t feed the troll.
You’re a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch! :)
I’m assuming that you’re just kidding, because anyone who would say something that ignorant and mean needs to get their head checked! :)
I hope you’re enjoying the comic!
-Sam
I honestly would’ve never thought they’d teach you about audience ranges in an art class.
I’ve learned it, but I’m in business! :D
Still, it’s a suprisingly useful thing to know when you make your own comic as you’ve pointed out.
Keep up the great work!
BTW, I thought girls were bigger fans of zombies and therefore would be a bigger part of your fanbase, but now that I think about it most girls are now into vampires. :/
Hahah that’s because I didn’t take art xD I took Graphic Design, reaaaallly big difference there.
I hope a segway chimp does join the team. Can Jasper have a pet? :D
I think zombies are going to be the new vampires. This comic is just ahead of the curve. If Jenny can work in zombie romance somehow, she’ll make millions.
Clearly, you are evil and must be destroyed.
Another reader nowhere near your demographic, other than being female and in the “or older” part of the age range … a Canadian who simply appreciates artistic talent and well-told, complex stories with lots of depth to the characters.
I own Max Brook’s “the zombie survival guide”.
I am DEFINITELY in your demographic…..:D