Thanking Your Readers

Hey Lit writers

As I've mentioned elsewhere, I'm pretty new to the site, and I was curious how any of you go about thanking your readers.

When people leave a particularly welcome comment or favorite a story, do you thank them in the comments section? Do you send them a message? Do you show your appreciation more generally by fulfilling requests for story continuations or maybe inviting story requests?

Just curious. Thanks!

If it's not an anonymous comment, I'll click on the commenter's user name and send a direct message through their Lit account. I don't usually do this for simple "great story" comments, but if there is a question, or something in the comment I want to respond too, that's the best way.

If it's an anonymous comment, the best you can do is leave a comment of your own on the off chance that they come back to re-read your story.

Like most people, I'd assume, I only engage readers based on comment activity, not favorites. While the story is newish, I usually post a thank you responding broadly to the most recent set of comments. This typically ends up being just once or twice. Then I stop replying after the story has been published for a little bit and let previous comments continue to express my gratitude.

If someone has been very specific, I try to answer their questions/comments there so that others have the benefit of reading. On occasion, I will write to someone directly but more often I just respond to PMs from readers that engage me directly from the get-go.

It never occurred to me to thank the readers who favorited one of my stories. Have you been doing that for everyone who favorited one of your stories? It sounds like a lot of work, but then you might get a lot more personal feedback from the readers who like what you've written so far.
I do reply promptly to readers who e-mail me with feedback, even if it is negative at the outset. Usually, though, those negative feedback e-mails are anonymous and I don't have a chance to turn it into anything constructive.
When there is a comment on one of my stories that I can address (again, not helpful if it is anonymous), then I send direct feedback. I generally avoid putting comments on my own stories, but I have done so a handful of times when I think it helps to clear up some confusion.

I'm a new author here, so take this for what it's worth

The week my story is posted, I try to address every comment from someone that posts. I may or may not post a comment on those that post a second time. After that week, I only post if a comment grabs me.

My thinking is, I like the feedback I get when I post, and I want to acknowledge those that take the time to do it, even if it's as simple as, "Enjoyed it. Keep writing."

As for those who favorite a story or follow me, I don't thank them in public, but I do research their profile. Sometimes that results in me reading their stories and also doing the same.

I answer every email. If someone takes the time to send me one, that's a higher level of involvement.

On rare occasion I'll respond directly in the story comments section. Otherwise I only respond to directly e-mailed/PMed comments.

So far I have been responding (fairly politely) to every comment whether good or bad. Registered commenters got a PM letting them know I responded. That didn't seem to bring any further involvement from them, So I stopped that part.

Emails I do respond to ASAP, even the F O & Die type, as long as they have a valid address.

People who comment or email are showing a higher level of involvement in the story (even when negative) and I believe they deserve a response.

gordo12 said:

So far I have been responding (fairly politely) to every comment whether good or bad. Registered commenters got a PM letting them know I responded. That didn't seem to bring any further involvement from them, So I stopped that part.

Emails I do respond to ASAP, even the F O & Die type, as long as they have a valid address.

People who comment or email are showing a higher level of involvement in the story (even when negative) and I believe they deserve a result ponse.

Click to expand...

I find responding to comments rarely gets any further comments. Most of my too and fro is when readers contact me via feedback and it turns into emails.