Loving Wives? Not worth it in my opinion.

[FrancesScott]

So I wanted to experience the Loving Wives rollercoaster (a wooden one that hasn’t been maintained so well and is getting a bit rickety). What I’d expected was high engagement, low ratings, and vitriolic comments. The reality?

My LW comp story got 30% more views than my Lesbian Sex comp story. It got them a bit more quickly, but the views also tailed off more quickly. My LW story was #1 on the list of new stories for the category and was not far from the top of the overall site new list. And yet only 30% more views than in LS.

The rating tracked with my expectations, it’s clawed its way up to 3.4 as I type.

The comments? Well I covered that in this thread, but they were sort of ‘ho hum.’ No real hate, nothing terribly offensive.

I got a few more followers. But I also got some down voting across other stories - perhaps coincidentally.

Was my Fasutian bargain with the category worth it? I know it’s just one data point, but I’d say a clear ‘no.’

Well, I can say I tried at least. But I won’t be going back to that well again anytime soon.

 

[iwatchus]

I got a lot of comments in my lone foray into that morass, but they really weren't that nasty or anything. None of the comments that got under my skin were on that story. I got a ton of votes. I have 4x the votes on that story (only my second most viewed) as any other. I will say Romance gets comparable rates of comments and votes, just a lot fewer views. SF&F as well, although there the views really collapse.

 

[lovecraft68]

If you like the genre keep going. If you were doing this as an experiment with no real interest other than that, then don't bother.

I have four stories there because overall, its not my interest, but when I do get an idea that fits, I'll write it and put it there.

I do enjoy taunting the trolls because my style of cuck story happens to be what sends them raging, but I won't go out of my way to do it. If its not an organic idea for it, I don't waste time.

 

[FrancesScott]

If you like the genre keep going. If you were doing this as an experiment with no real interest other than that, then don't bother.

I’m interested in the martial relationships element and the drama associated with that. I don’t have a particular cheating fetish and find cuck kind of strange (just me, not saying others shouldn’t enjoy it). I’m interested in writing fallible people making mistakes - including infidelity - due to misunderstandings or hurt. But I think I’ll fit that into other categories going forward.

And I’m not so interested in the whole hot wife / sharing thing (again it’s fine if people like that).

 

[Rob_Royale]

I couldn't disagree more. The added attention that category gets is totally worth it. My latest LW story (I'm not a regular contributor, but like Lovecraft68, if that's where the story fits, that's where it goes) is Hotwife Interrupted which posted four days ago. It's gotten 15,500 views in that time, more than the seven stories I've posted since June. Favorites and followers have both spiked, I've gotten 20 comments and my other stories in that category and others, are getting a lot more attention. It's sitting at 3.85 stars and will not likely reach 4, but what the hell? The shine wore off the rating system a long while ago.

"Welcome to Literotica! The show where everything's made up and the points don't matter."

 

[Lifestyle66]

So I wanted to experience the Loving Wives rollercoaster (a wooden one that hasn’t been maintained so well and is getting a bit rickety). What I’d expected was high engagement, low ratings, and vitriolic comments. The reality?

My LW comp story got 30% more views than my Lesbian Sex comp story. It got them a bit more quickly, but the views also tailed off more quickly. My LW story was #1 on the list of new stories for the category and was not far from the top of the overall site new list. And yet only 30% more views than in LS.

The rating tracked with my expectations, it’s clawed its way up to 3.4 as I type.

The comments? Well I covered that in this thread, but they were sort of ‘ho hum.’ No real hate, nothing terribly offensive.

I got a few more followers. But I also got some down voting across other stories - perhaps coincidentally.

Was my Fasutian bargain with the category worth it? I know it’s just one data point, but I’d say a clear ‘no.’

Well, I can say I tried at least. But I won’t be going back to that well again anytime soon.

Your lesbian story has been up for three weeks now with 10K views, while your LW story has been there for two days now with 12K views.

I think you might wait for at least another week for the 1-scraping to possibly revise the average rating and better compare "apples to apples".

 

[FrancesScott]

more than the seven stories I've posted since June.

This is where our experience diverges. My previous story - in LS - has over 10,000 views and has been well-received. My LW has over 13,000 views, and hasn’t been. 30% difference isn’t worth the drama, and - apparent - impact on my other stories.

 

[FrancesScott]

Your lesbian story has been up for three weeks now with 10K views, while your LW story has been there for two days now with 12K views.

It’s a little patronizing to think I hadn’t taken that into account. I know when my LS story got the bulk of its views. And I know when my LW story got the bulk of its views.

I realize I’m new to this, but it’s not that complicated to work out the half-life of views per day.

I think you might wait for at least another week for the 1-scraping to possibly revise the average rating and better compare "apples to apples".

Neither have been scraped at this point.

 

[TheLobster]

The relatively small difference in the number of views between LW and LS can likely be explained by the competition factor. This year’s Summer Lovin is one of the most popular contests ever, which equalizes the differences between categories.

 

[Soixenta]

This is where our experience diverges. My previous story - in LS - has over 10,000 views and has been well-received. My LW has over 13,000 views, and hasn’t been. 30% difference isn’t worth the drama, and - apparent - impact on my other stories.

My Summer Lovin' story was published a day after yours, in Erotic Couplings which, as I understand it, is supposed to be less popular than Lesbian. But it has 15,907 views and 12 very positive comments (not including my replies). The score might not be what I hoped, but it's still a respectable 4.61 from 126 votes.

With those numbers and that kind of engagement - and I don't have the following that other authors do - who would even consider Loving Wives?

 

[FrancesScott]

With those numbers and that kind of engagement - and I don't have the following that other authors do - who would even consider Loving Wives?

My point precisely. I don’t see much incremental value to LW.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I have 2 stories in LW, both two of my lowest rated with an average of 4.14 compared to my overall average rating for all my stories of 4.62. The views per day average for them (24.15) is lower than my overall average of 28.6.

Both of my stories have "twists" in them, and while not as confusing as the "Alexis" reveal in yours, I surmised that readers in this category don't want to their comprehension skills challenged.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Loving Wives? Not worth it in my opinion.​

My first ever loving wives story had 30,000 views on its first day. That was an eye-opening experience (as was being called a deviant trying to seduce God-fearing men with my ‘polluting’ lesbian evil - yes really).

Based on your experience, it seems like the loving wives views have declined. Unless you love hot wife stories, or adultery revenge stories, then I’d say a third more views is really not worth the considerable baggage that comes with it.

 

[Gamblnluck]

I couldn't disagree more. The added attention that category gets is totally worth it. My latest LW story (I'm not a regular contributor, but like Lovecraft68, if that's where the story fits, that's where it goes) is Hotwife Interrupted which posted four days ago. It's gotten 15,500 views in that time, more than the seven stories I've posted since June. Favorites and followers have both spiked, I've gotten 20 comments and my other stories in that category and others, are getting a lot more attention. It's sitting at 3.85 stars and will not likely reach 4, but what the hell? The shine wore off the rating system a long while ago.

"Welcome to Literotica! The show where everything's made up and the points don't matter."

I've been gone on vacation and missed your story when posted. I thoroughly enjoyed it and my score might raise your average by a tiny amount considering all the votes. You also showed that all successful LW stories are not violent BTB's. The horny doctor was simply making up for a lost evening. Her invitation at the end was completely logical.

 

[Actingup]

I want to suggest a different lens to view this through. Imagine that you’re a hip-hop singer evaluating whether your first foray into country & western was a success. You got some airplay but it wasn’t a ‘hit’. It’s completely valid to walk away disappointed, but it’s also a decision based on limited data. Your story could have been a ‘hit’ - it just wasn’t.

If inspiration strikes you for another LW story - your husband leaves you for a younger woman on the same day that your dog dies and your favourite guitar gets run over by your rival’s truck - please don’t let the experience this time put you off too much. And if none of the above happens, that’s okay too.

 

[Gamblnluck]

I’m interested in the martial relationships element and the drama associated with that.

That drama is the crux of every good LW story. It is what is done with the feelings that make or break the story.
I just read your story about the man meeting the woman on the beach. There wasn't much marital conflict involved. Ellie was not who she seemed nor did her 'husband' care. The real conflict was with the MC who had a fantasy shattered (even if he got off). The ending and the format of that conversation was a bit off.
I'd suggest trying again in LW.

 

[Gamblnluck]

I have 2 stories in LW, both two of my lowest rated with an average of 4.14 compared to my overall average rating for all my stories of 4.62. The views per day average for them (24.15) is lower than my overall average of 28.6.

Both of my stories have "twists" in them, and while not as confusing as the "Alexis" reveal in yours, I surmised that readers in this category don't want to their comprehension skills challenged.

No, actually it was the format as much as what was said that made the ending ambiguous or confusing. It's not a matter of comprehension. If anything, it was a matter of presentation. I find LW readers to be every bit as discerning as those in other categories if not more so. A simple jerk off story does not do well. The OP's story was well written. I personally enjoyed it, but did not care for the ending. He got a 4 from me.

 

[Lifestyle66]

My point precisely. I don’t see much incremental value to LW.

BTW: Your lesbian story from three weeks ago has 17 objective reader comments. But your LW story posted two days ago has 22 reader comments.

Don't count your own comments when deciding if you're getting a reaction! You post comments far too often, as if you're holding a two-way dialog.

 

[Gamblnluck]

Based on your experience, it seems like the loving wives views have declined.

I'll agree there. I just returned from a 2 week cruise and it took me only a few hours to catch up in my reading. Low scoring stories are NOT just the result of a few "One-Bombing Trolls". It means the author missed the mark.
I've changed my reading habits a bit.
You should read some of the comments I had when I got back. Older, high scoring (4 plus) stories got scathing remarks. You'll get compared with other stories you've written as well.

 

[FrancesScott]

BTW: Your lesbian story from three weeks ago has 17 objective reader comments. But your LW story posted two days ago has 22 reader comments.

I think you are confusing quality and quantity.

Don't count your own comments when deciding if you're getting a reaction! You post comments far too often, as if you're holding a two-way dialog.

OK - that’s one too many bits of mansplaining for my tastes. There’s something about your manner that I’m struggling with, and it’s been more than once now.

 

[FrancesScott]

I want to suggest a different lens to view this through. Imagine that you’re a hip-hop singer evaluating whether your first foray into country & western was a success. You got some airplay but it wasn’t a ‘hit’. It’s completely valid to walk away disappointed, but it’s also a decision based on limited data. Your story could have been a ‘hit’ - it just wasn’t.

If inspiration strikes you for another LW story - your husband leaves you for a younger woman on the same day that your dog dies and your favourite guitar gets run over by your rival’s truck - please don’t let the experience this time put you off too much. And if none of the above happens, that’s okay too.

Hmm… does recording a country song lead to people no longer downloading my hip-hop?

The point is, that anything I could concieve of writing (including my LW story) could go in a different category. And I see no point in bothering with LW going forward, it’s not many more views, and the audience seems less sophisticated than say LS. It’s probably a bad match for me.

 

[StillStunned]

Don't count your own comments when deciding if you're getting a reaction! You post comments far too often, as if you're holding a two-way dialog.

Is there a limit on how many comments we're allowed to post? I haven't seen that in the FAQ.

I've been replying to every comment I get recently - and no, I don't count my replies when measuring engagement. But readers seem to appreciate it, because overall I've been getting more comments - again: not including my replies. Some come back and reply to my reply. But even without that, readers seem to appreciate that I engage: they can tell I read their comments, and I try to add something in each reply beyond just "thanks for reading and commenting!"

If nothing else, it means that I show up twice as often in the "recent comments" list, and that draws more eyes to my stories.

So you can cast judgment on writers replying to comments, but you'll have to substantiate it a bit more than you have.

 

[Gamblnluck]

Is there a limit on how many comments we're allowed to post? I haven't seen that in the FAQ.

I've been replying to every comment I get recently - and no, I don't count my replies when measuring engagement. But readers seem to appreciate it, because overall I've been getting more comments - again: not including my replies. Some come back and reply to my reply. But even without that, readers seem to appreciate that I engage: they can tell I read their comments, and I try to add something in each reply beyond just "thanks for reading and commenting!"

If nothing else, it means that I show up twice as often in the "recent comments" list, and that draws more eyes to my stories.

So you can cast judgment on writers replying to comments, but you'll have to substantiate it a bit more than you have.

My own opinion is that replying to every comment is a tedious waste of time. I reply on occasion but only if it seems warranted. Many of my stories of late are part of a far bigger story though. I don't think the space was intended to be a defense of the story. I will engage in PM's with a more involved response though.

 

[Lifestyle66]

Is there a limit on how many comments we're allowed to post? I haven't seen that in the FAQ.
...

If nothing else, it means that I show up twice as often in the "recent comments" list, and that draws more eyes to my stories.

That's one way of trying for more views.

 

[Lifestyle66]

OK - that’s one too many bits of mansplaining for my tastes. There’s something about your manner that I’m struggling with, and it’s been more than once now.

Mansplaining?

With you being a relatively new writer and bashing the LW category after just two days, I assumed you were looking for quantitative measures of reader reactions to your only LW story. You were comparing it to your lesbian story, and with just a glance at the numbers it looks like the lesbian story with 31 is about eual to the 29 comments on the LW story ... until someone looks deeper. Except for your own comments you have a much greater reaction in comments to the LW story in just two days, versus the lesbian story over three weeks.

But I guess it's time for you to put me on YOUR "ignore" list. And feel free to 1-bomb all of my stories. You wouldn't be the first.