Started as a comics editor

Chapter 26: Bluff... No, this is a practical solution!

"suggestion?"

Shang Tao paused his fingers that were gently rubbing his temples, and looked at the girl in front of him with some confusion. She was too beautiful and didn't look like an editor at all.

"Ah."

Tang Yao turned her chair to face him, arranging her words, and then said, "Regarding the comic award, because of the incident with 'Girl, Boy and Sword,' angry readers are now affecting the upcoming comic award, right? They've even started boycotting an unrelated comic award, and this is giving you a headache. You don't know what impact this will have on the upcoming comic award and the most important website, right?"

"Correct."

Shang Tao put down his hand that was rubbing his temple and said helplessly, "Don't you think it's dangerous? The readers are acting like the entire magazine is guilty... Even if we vigorously promote the comic award and website, readers won't buy it, right? After all, the blog posts during the promotional phase were filled with criticism. In this situation, everyone is worried about accidents."

"really."

Tang Yao nodded and agreed, "Perhaps these readers will deliberately criticize the works that won the comic award when the website is launched... Even if it's not that exaggerated, if this continues, then there's no point in launching the website. The comic award is meant to drive traffic to the website, right? Right now, there's so much criticism surrounding the comic award, it's probably going to be hard to attract traffic.

After all, "Girl, Boy and Sword" is the mainstay of our magazine, and this sudden operation has probably spread among readers.

Promoting the comics award and website at this critical juncture is equivalent to continuing to provide entertainment for readers who are here for fun. Those who originally wanted to submit their works will hesitate, and readers will subconsciously think that our magazine is unreliable, and thus feel that other works in the comics award are not... "

Tang Yao didn't say anything else.

But Shang Tao had already understood, and his breathing suddenly stopped.

Tang Yao's words instantly awakened him from his lingering hope.

The authorities are fascinated.

The current situation is indeed irreversible. It is too dangerous to force the website online... Mr. Ou’s outrageous actions have probably spread among the readers. Nothing can be done. We have run out of options. The website launch must be postponed.

this moment.

Shang Tao's heart was finally at peace.

only.

Shang Tao glanced at Tang Yao, who looked up, with some resentment... He always felt that it was particularly awkward to hear the news of "death penalty" from an editor in the content department.

Because it was the content department that caused all of this... So what sin had I committed? I had done nothing wrong, but the sudden illness of my own mainstay cartoonist had led to this situation, and in the end, the editor of the cartoonist who had fallen ill had to pronounce the death sentence.

"..."

When Shang Tao thought of this, he felt a tightness in his chest.

However, although he felt awkward, he also knew that if it weren't for Ding Yillong, the situation would never have been so bad... After all, the girl in front of him was also a victim.

So he quickly put away his unnecessary thoughts and said politely, "I understand. Thank you for your reminder. I'm leaving..."

Since it cannot be changed.

He was about to go back and think about what to do next.

just.

He just turned around.

"Wait, Director Shang, I haven't finished yet..."

Tang Yao felt helpless. This world was simply filled with too much martial virtue, and the wartime state had lasted for too long. Even after she had said this, he still hadn't reacted.

"Ok?"

Shang Tao turned around, looking confused, with an expression that said, "What else do you want to say?"

Tang Yao sighed inwardly and could only change her thoughts and reorganize her words to explain to the director in front of her: "Director Shang, have you ever heard of the saying that black and red are also red?"

“Black and red is also red…?”

"Well, it's true that both the comic award and the website have been targeted due to this incident. But this also means that if you take advantage of this opportunity to promote it, readers who originally had nowhere to vent their anger will also focus all their attention on the comic award and the upcoming website."

Tang Yao raised her white, tender fingers and began to seriously bluff... no, she began to explain: "Think about it, even though our magazine's sales aren't among the top three, it's still a major publication, and our mainstay comics... do you think they're well-known among comic readers?"

Shang Tao replied subconsciously: "Of course it's high. Even comic readers who don't usually subscribe to our magazine probably know about "Girl, Boy and Sword"..."

"Yes."

Tang Yao gently coaxed, "Does this mean that even readers who don't follow this comic know about this incident? After all, it's a major magazine's flagship comic that's had problems. Many readers who enjoy comics will join in the discussion just for fun, right?"

"right……"

"So, has the comic book reader community been discussing this topic these days? If you were to promote a comic book award and website, wouldn't readers, already upset by the comic book's development, share this with other readers? For example, something like, 'Our own mainstay comics are shit, yet we're still promoting comic book awards and websites. What a fool! I wonder if the works on those websites are all just shit to feed the readers.'

After all, you're really getting some hate by promoting the comic award so aggressively at this critical moment."

Tang Yao lowered her finger and continued, "Then, other readers who haven't been following the manga 'Girl, Boy, and Sword', after hearing this, combined with the overwhelming publicity, might also become interested and check out the website? It's all for fun anyway."

"..."

Shang Tao didn't react just now.

But if he still doesn't understand what Tang Yao has said now, he would be a pig.

His eyes widened slowly, and he muttered, "You mean, using this incident to drive traffic back to the website... No, no, no, no, that's not possible. Teacher Ou's reputation, uh, that's not important, but the reputation of the website will be very bad, right? It won't be useful to attract readers, right?"

"That's when the commissions from great authors come into play."

Seeing the other party's interest, Tang Yao immediately suggested the next step: "Didn't we invite many successful cartoonists to submit works to build momentum for the comic award? Most of those works are excellent. You can consider using social media accounts and various channels to release them in advance!"

Shang Tao was stunned by what he said: "Release it...in advance?"

"Correct."

Tang Yao nodded and said seriously, "Readers actually have no objection to the comics award. It's better to make it more convenient for them to read excellent comics. It won't do them any harm. Publishing comics online is a big trend and will soon become one of the most important ways for readers to read comics.

The reason why the problem I just mentioned exists is mainly because of Ou Congquan's works. The website and the comic award are just being taken out on... At this time, we just need to make it clear to the readers that the comic award is the comic award, and Ou Congquan is Ou Congquan, and the two are not the same thing. By releasing some excellent works that will be published on the website in advance, readers can understand this fact, and then all problems will be solved.

Of course, to achieve this goal, the works released in advance cannot be too bad. Even the works of great authors must be carefully selected. We need those that are topical, have a strong impact, and are the best-drawn..."

"..."

Shang Tao's expression changed, and a look of surprise slowly appeared in his eyes.

Yes! Why didn’t I think of that? This is totally possible!

Originally, the readers were not targeting my website or the comic award. I just need to make the readers aware of this matter!

Releasing some of the best works in advance is an excellent choice! It allows readers to instantly understand that Ou Congquan and the Comics Award are two completely different things.

This incident may not only not cause any damage to the website or the comic award, but it may also create momentum for the website!

He could totally use Mr. Ou's madness to build momentum for his website!

"Editor Tang, this might actually work!"

The more Shang Tao thought about it, the more reliable it seemed, and his expression became more and more excited: "You really are the lucky star of our website..."

But speaking.

He suddenly stopped, thought of something, and his expression froze.

Tang Yao noticed the change in his expression: "What's wrong?"

Shang Tao was silent for a moment and said, "...the method you just mentioned requires a lot of publicity for the comic award, right?"

Tang Yao nodded: "Yeah."

Shang Tao hesitated and said, "If things really develop as you expected, will 'Girl, Boy and Sword' be put on the spot? There's no problem with promoting the comic award, but Mr. Ou's next update..."

Although he didn't say anything else.

But Tang Yao knew what he wanted to express and nodded.

This is inevitable. The better the work that wins the comic award, the worse Ou Congquan's development in this issue will be.

"That probably won't work."

Shang Tao smiled bitterly, thinking of the vice president's face, and shook his head: "Magazine... content is everything. That is the most important serialized work in the company. We can't do this. The vice president will not agree."

After all.

Reading comics online is just an attempt.

There is no problem in betting on the future.

But for this future, one of the company's biggest authors was sacrificed.

No matter how he thought about it, Zhao Fangsheng would never agree.

"..."

Tang Yao was stunned when she heard this, then she lowered her head slightly and remained silent.

She seemed to be struggling and hesitating for a long time before she raised her head, wrinkled her delicate nose slightly, and said with determination, "Then let the words AORI that I wrote become reality. This episode's plot development is not a symptom of illness, it's just a detour to lay the groundwork for the explosion that's coming."

Shang Tao was stunned: "You mean..."

"Well, I will do my best to make Ou Congquan change his mind."

Tang Yao stood up and said seriously, "I will take on the role of editor-in-chief."

When Shang Tao saw Tang Yao's expression and heard her righteous words, his expression changed and he was filled with awe.

Sure enough, I was not wrong about him.

Compared to Ding Yilong… this editor was incredibly reliable! He actually cared so much about the company! He cared so much about the upcoming website! Even if it meant being wronged, he was still determined to fight for it!

now.

Shang Tao wanted to run to Ding Yilong, point his finger at his nose and curse, "Look at yourself! Then look at others!"
"but……"

Just when Shang Tao started to think about some random things.

Tang Yao looked at the new media director in front of her, narrowed her eyes slightly, and suddenly added: "I have a request... This matter has nothing to do with Ding Yilong, it's just because of Director Shang's request, for the comic award."

"……I see."

Shang Tao came to his senses and glanced back in Ding Yilong's direction. He said with some disgust, "Don't worry, I will report this matter in detail, including his actions... This time it was the request of the new media department. The editor-in-chief of the content department played no role in this and only knew how to shirk responsibility."

"Moreover……"

Tang Yao nodded, then her expression turned serious. She said solemnly, "Among the comics released early this time, I'd like to recommend two works. I've read both of them, and they're both excellent and highly topical! As an editor, I really can't bear to see them go unnoticed. I'll give you the manuscripts to review. If all goes well, could you please include these two works in the early release? I promise readers won't be disappointed!"

The Yan State map has finally come to an end.

See the picture poorly.

"No problem, I trust your expertise."

When Shang Tao heard this, he was once again filled with respect and agreed immediately.

He even wanted to run up to Ding Yilong again, point his finger at his nose and curse, "Look at yourself! Then look at others!"
Even in this situation, they are still thinking about their own cartoonists! What about you?
"Then let me thank you on behalf of the cartoonist."

"Quick question, what genres are those two comics?"

Tang Yao excitedly shouted "yes" in her heart, but her expression did not change at all: "Horror and... fantasy."

"Horror and fantasy."

Shang Tao was a little surprised, but he nodded and said, "As long as the quality is up to standard, there will be absolutely no problem."

At this moment.

Director Shang didn't realize that Tang Yao only said to include the two works in the early release list... but didn't mention participating in the comic award whose copyright belongs to the magazine.

It also didn't mention that one of them was a serialized work.

can only say.

Beautiful women can be deceptive.

Although Tang Yao thinks of herself as a macho man deep down... she is beautiful.

(End of this chapter)