How can you get people to keep reading your work?

[Trinity Adams]

Hello All,

I've been a Literotica member for over eight years, and in that time I've put up, taken down, and put up more stories.

What I've always noticed is that when a story is new, it gets a lot of views, but after a few days it gets buried and the reads become a trickle.

I was wondering, how do you keep people reading?

It's also kind of disheartening to realize that people give a story a really low vote, It's their right, of course, but I just wish they'd comment, too. Oh well.

Thanks in advance,

xoxo

Trin

 

[dr_mabeuse]

The best way to get people to keep reading your work is to write good stuff that people like to read. If they really like one story, then they'll probably look for your other work.

If you write stuff that sinks like a stone as soon as it leaves the New Section, then it's probably just not very good.

 

[TxRad]

Why do you take stories down?

Over the years, I've left everything up. There are some that were experiments and other that were ideas that were too good to not get an opinion on. Those last I have expanded and one day when I finish them, I will replace the old with the new. Or I may just submit them as new since they will be for the most part.

Having a good numbers of stories up, draws in readers from different categories and increases your fan base.

 

[litfan10]

If your interest is truly securing a fan-base for your works, you need to do several things.

First, research the categories and find which ones you can write comfortably in that already have many readers - the popular categories such as BDSM, incest, and loving wives (watch the last one as readers are very opinionated and comments can be viscous.)

Write new stuff. It's placement pulls people in and your backlist (leave your stuff up!) will connect them to you. Plus it gives people something to look forward to and a reason to come back to you.

Write in special contests, as again you get a lot of great placement and exposure, but if you don't have a strong backlist of works readers won't stay.

As TxRad said, leave your stuff up. You want readers, give them something to read.

Ultimately, it is the strength of your writing that will keep people reading your work. Use editors and the Story Thread to help hone your writing skills if needed. Find some writers here that you respect and see if they will work with you. PM them and see what will happen.

As for comments, those really are far and few between in the grand scheme of readers. My best story in terms of readings (views) has over 200,000 but only 30 comments, most of which came when the story first hit. That translates to one comment for every 60,000 readings. Not very good odds at all. Probably the best category for comments is Loving Wives and the majority of those comments are nasty and meant for the thick of skin only.

Good luck!

 

[litfan10]

Another thing - we're readers too.

Set up a signature with a link to your stories. As we meet you and get to know you we will want to read your work. Having a link in the sig line gets that to happen quicker than if we have to search for you through the author listing.

Again good luck!

 

[oggbashan]

Write frequently, post often, enter all the themed contests, and leave all your stories visible.

If someone sees one of your stories and likes it, they are likely to read some more of your work. Of course, the corollary is also true - if they don't like the first piece of your work, they won't read any of the others even if the piece they had read was not typical of your writing or just one of your worst.

Og

 

[Laurel]

Good advice on this thread! Also, as the number of readers using the story tags and search function to navigate the story side continues to grow (as does the story side itself!), choosing the right story tags becomes even more important as a means of getting appreciative readers to your story. Here is a short but (hopefully) helpful piece on picking the right tags for your work.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

There's simply too much material posted at LIT. The excellent stories are buried beneath tons of crap. Every LIT writer gets a plastic trophy and a ticket to add more boring chatter to the collection.

 

[Bebeslut]

I wouldn't be ruled entirely by what other people think. If you think your work is good, keep doing what you do.
I get few views and fewer comments, but I think my stuff is pretty good, and I'm going to continue to write as I do. I tell myself I will be appreciated by a discerning few, and some of the few comments I get bear that out.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

A big problem for mediocre writers is readers become sophisticated as their exposure to stories increases. Another big problem for writers of every stripe is, once they write 5-6 popular stories theyve shot their load; Steven King hasnt cranked out a good tale in 20 years.

 

[Weird Harold]

What I've always noticed is that when a story is new, it gets a lot of views, but after a few days it gets buried and the reads become a trickle.

I was wondering, how do you keep people reading?

Step 1: Shameless Self Promotion. A link in your signature to your stories page is the least obnoxious means of self-promotion, but anything that gets people to think of you as a writer instead of just another forum poster.

Step 2: figure out how readers find stories to read. Historically that has been through the new stories list, the site top lists, the category top lists and the alphabetical category index. As Laurel pointed out, the Tags and Search keys are becoming increasingly important. Once you've figured out how readers find stories, figure out how to put your stories in the path of the readers.

In practical terms, there simply isn't an effective way to maintain reader volume after a story falls off the New Stories list except to gain and maintain a place on a top stories list. As Dr M pointed out, writing good stories that peeople want to read and re-read is really the only way to get people to keep reading your work.

 

[TE999]

Write what you like, when you like, as often as you like and don't worry about feedback or building a fan base. Readers are extraordinarily fickle and choosy; some are interested in a stroker, others in a story, others reading about a particular sex interest of theirs...the reader universe is incredibly diverse. Developing your skills as a writer is paramount, however, rather than trying to attract readers. If they like it, fine, if they don't they may next time.

Like Rick Nelson once sang in the song he wrote called 'Garden Party'---"You can't please everyone, so you have to please yourself."

Good luck and enjoy writing.

 

[litfan10]

Hey Trinity. When I get a chance this weekend, I'll read some of your stuff and get back to you. Any recommendations/suggestions on where to start with your work?

 

[JuanVato]

Good stuff

I am pretty new here, but I have noticed there are petty devoted 'tribes'. Each genre has a core following.
So far I am enjoying.

 

[litfan10]

I am pretty new here, but I have noticed there are petty devoted 'tribes'. Each genre has a core following.
So far I am enjoying.

Very cool. Nice to have you here Juan! Best of luck in the contest!

Trin, I first came here to Lit to seriously work on my fictional writing as I've been a journalist for far too long, and I wanted a way I could connect with readers to get a sense of what works and doesn't with my writing as in the journalism world you rarely hear anything except from editors who are usually looking for something that will make them money.

I have found far more than I ever imagined I would find. Between the comment system, statistical data in the submission section, easy connections in multiple ways for readers to contact writers, the author's hangout, man the list can go on and on... If you want to write and get immediate reaction to it this is a phenomenal place for it.
The best advice is to exploit all the incredible things this place offers writers. And connect with writers, I still am stunned over the incredible group of writers I have been blessed to become friends with here. I never saw that coming but ultimately it is the best thing I've gotten out of my decision to come here.

 

[Mrtouf]

If there's a way you can improve upon your earlier work, then taking it down and putting it back up may well get it a better rating. But I guess sometimes you just have to move on and try writing something completely different to what you usually do. Says the guy who's been stuck in a rut writing one novel for two years.

I took a peek at your writing and I don't see anything you're doing that might drive your readers away. That said, I hadn't read any of your stories until you posted here. Don't sit back and assume that because you've posted a story, readers will be able to find it. Direct linking a story on a site where your target audience knows you and likes your writing will probably generate a steadier stream of views than relying on the top rated or newest stories lists.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Just write a goddam story no one else has done. Wait! Nevermind! No one does this at LIT.

 

[Bebeslut]

Just write a goddam story no one else has done. Wait! Nevermind! No one does this at LIT.

So, what have you written? Do you have any stories on Lit?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

So, what have you written? Do you have any stories on Lit?

Need something to steal?

I'm in good company, almost all of the worlds great writers arent posting stories at LIT. Any writer worth a shit wantz money rather than a slap on the back from half-baked assclowns whoring for votes.

 

[Bebeslut]

Need something to steal?

I'm in good company, almost all of the worlds great writers arent posting stories at LIT. Any writer worth a shit wantz money rather than a slap on the back from half-baked assclowns whoring for votes.

I kind of thought so. Lots of criticism of writers, but you don't dance the dance. Instead, you just leave inflammatory posts (12.8 per day) to try to piss off everyone else.
Get a life. Turn off Fox News.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I kind of thought so. Lots of criticism of writers, but you don't dance the dance. Instead, you just leave inflammatory posts (12.8 per day) to try to piss off everyone else.
Get a life. Turn off Fox News.

If your writing sux it doesnt suddenly get better or worse if I post something. If you cant handle criticism dont post. Stop obsessing about what others think of it, and learn what makes writing good and bad. Then you wont need a back slap and testimonials from morons.

 

[litfan10]

Trin, I am so sorry that a thread started with the best intentions has derailed like so many others. Keep positive, this is a great place to write.

Bebe, I hear you and commend you for sticking it out with JBJ, but please do me a favour and don't quote him. I have him on ignore as his crap is meaningless to my life.

JBJ. Since I have seen your words this time, I'd like to point out that you are not in great company - and what an arrogant thing for you to say. First, great writers know how to spell "wants" and "sucks", slang spelling does you nothing. Second, I am paid very well for my writing and still I write here and am very happy I do. I don't NEED a pat on the back but I greatly appreciate the camaraderie of my fellow writers, of which you are not included as until you prove otherwise you are just an opinionated, egotistical wannabe who sadly doesn't get it for all your self-postulating air. You don't like us, fine. But back off from a writer who honestly is looking for help, as you are the antithesis of that.

 

[Bebeslut]

He makes a lot of assumptions about others, too.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Trin, I am so sorry that a thread started with the best intentions has derailed like so many others. Keep positive, this is a great place to write.

Bebe, I hear you and commend you for sticking it out with JBJ, but please do me a favour and don't quote him. I have him on ignore as his crap is meaningless to my life.

JBJ. Since I have seen your words this time, I'd like to point out that you are not in great company - and what an arrogant thing for you to say. First, great writers know how to spell "wants" and "sucks", slang spelling does you nothing. Second, I am paid very well for my writing and still I write here and am very happy I do. I don't NEED a pat on the back but I greatly appreciate the camaraderie of my fellow writers, of which you are not included as until you prove otherwise you are just an opinionated, egotistical wannabe who sadly doesn't get it for all your self-postulating air. You don't like us, fine. But back off from a writer who honestly is looking for help, as you are the antithesis of that.

The story I hear is that you use the meaningless excuse anytime anything goes against you, like your IQ score. When you lost a diaper load of points for the math and logic questions you argued that youre not a rocket brainiac and those questions are meaningless.

 

[MatthewJudeBrown]

Well, he gains the dubious distinction of being first in my ignore list too. Getting one's jollies by metaphorically slapping around newbie writers is not the sign of superiority; rather the inverse.