Sunday
Feb122012
How to Tell When It's Time to Shut Up
A WINNER HAS BEEN SELECTED!!
Again, the prize is a signed copy of my book “Curse of the Masking-Tape Mummy.”
As with last week, to enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this comic (How to Know When It’s Time to Shut Up). As with last week, the winner will be selected at random on Thursday morning (Feb 16th). Again, as with last week, I will ask a question that you can, but are not obligated to, answer. I’m told this is a valuable opportunity to gather demographic data about my readers, so my question this week is as follows.
“What demographic data about you should I be trying to gather?”
I look forward to your suggestions.
February 12, 2012
Reader Comments (334)
I guess there's lots of demographic information you could use. Well, actually there probably isn't. Furthermore, it seems like a giant investment of time.
Where we come from? Too easy.
Well, actually, you shouldn't at all. Furthermore, if you do gather demographic data, you should at least do it discreet. But I guess, it would be a ok, if you subtly ask us about our favourite books.
That post from frame 2 was a painful read. I kind of hate myself right now.
random comment here, and size 36 and going vegan :)
I think the most important demographic question should be:
What is our favorite superhero/villain?
Although it was tough decision, I would choose Rocket Hat over Omnipresent Man.
You should ask people how often they check to see if you have posted a new comic.
For those who would like it easier to copy/paste:
http://bi4.us/iiMgyT
And great job, as always!
Political affiliation and religious beliefs. That'll keep it lively
I would use this opportunity to find out what our demographic is concerned about when collecting demographic data.
Well, I could provide some demographic data.
I am a Computer Science student.
Would it be useful demographic data to see which character most people identify with?
Well, actually, you should be asking about my education.
Shutting up now.
Demographic data, hmmm?
Besides the character in your.comic each of us most resemble (which I really don't want to get into), I would suggest the length of our big toes, amount of cheese eaten per annum and how far off Google's guess about our ages is on our profile pages (no, seriously, look it up, it took more than 20 years of MY life, which explains the acme ads it keeps showing me).
Age Gender and social security number
Well, actually I'm curious about what made your earlier contest so successful in your view.
Furthermore, what will you be doing with the demographic information that you collect?
I guess, the details are unimportant.
The demographic question you should ask:
"How frequently do you buy physical comic books based off of online strips?"
Income data is always useful. If it turns out the majority of your audience is a bunch of rich people like Scott Adams, you'd want to be able to tell that to advertisers.
Not that anyone would tell you, or even find it polite if you asked.
On the more realistic side, you could ask for highest level of education attained. It correlates with income, to an extent, and people are much more inclined to provide it when asked.
ooh I know ask how many fingers and toes your readers have!! thats valuable market research right there!!
You should be collecting inseam measurements. I'm a 32".
Our favorite breakfast cereal(s) seems like some entirely non-trivial demographic information!
Mine's Frosted Flakes.
the niche market you're tapping into can only be described as "those who read and enjoy basic instructions"
How about "how many people are you?"
I want to keep things easy for your staff statistician.
Hmm...I think you could learn a lot about your readers by knowing if the majority prefer Chinese food or Mexican food. A lot can be ascertained about a person by knowing if they prefer covering food in soy sauce or cheese.
The most Profitable demographic information you could gather would be name, SS number and sign-in to PayPal account ... but judging from the my spam-load I think that's already being done. Second choice!: maximum acceptable price for your next book.
Social security numbers and mothers' maiden names. (Maybe those aren't technically demographics, but if you had those you probably wouldn't need demographic data any longer.)