What do authors think about ratings manipulation?

[TheOceanWantsMe]

I know complaining about ratings is tiresome, but I wanted to hear what authors thought about this...

I wrote what I think is a pretty good story. You can read it here. http://www.literotica.com/s/all-i-see-are-dark-eyes .

The rating is solid, unspectacular, although I think some people underrate shorter stories, but whatever. I am a little disapointed, however, that only 3500 or so readers have found it. I feel like if I had listed it in a different category, something other than Erotic Couplings, more readers would have stumbled on to it, even though I think that's the most apt home for it. Do authors ever try to put their stories in perhaps the second most accurate home for it, to try to find more readers?

-TOWM

 

[lovecraft68]

If there is a specific kink to it then that's where it should go. But if it is-for lack of a better term- a generic erotic story then EC is the right place, but as you noticed not one known for big numbers.

If you're looking for more attention try writing something aimed at a more specific audience such as group or interracial, fetish(can be anything from feet to golden showers to anything in between) Mature....

I checked your page and saw you have a story in group and anal. I have no idea about anal(the category!) but I would assume your group story got a lot more attention then the E story

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Incest and Loving Wives receive the greatest amount of attention.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I know complaining about ratings is tiresome, but I wanted to hear what authors thought about this...

I wrote what I think is a pretty good story. You can read it here. http://www.literotica.com/s/all-i-see-are-dark-eyes .

The rating is solid, unspectacular, although I think some people underrate shorter stories, but whatever. I am a little disapointed, however, that only 3500 or so readers have found it. I feel like if I had listed it in a different category, something other than Erotic Couplings, more readers would have stumbled on to it, even though I think that's the most apt home for it. Do authors ever try to put their stories in perhaps the second most accurate home for it, to try to find more readers?

-TOWM

I thought it was quite decent, though like you say longer stories tend to do better. I'm not sure what other category it would belong in, though; if you did manage to post it in some other category you might get a higher view count, but a lot of those will be disgruntled readers who were expecting something else. Is the view count really a meaningful measure of success if you get it that way? And do you want the low scores they're likely to give it?

 

[Hypoxia]

Incest and Loving Wives receive the greatest amount of attention.

LW attention can be... contentious...

 

[Zeb_Carter]

LW attention can be... contentious...

True and I poked each faction with a stick more than once.

 

[Hypoxia]

True and I poked each faction with a stick more than once.

Hot burning branches, I hope.

I've had good reactions in INCEST, and lousy reactions in INCEST, LW, NC, and others. (I wanted that NC story to post in LW but Laurel decided otherwise.) I think I see how to "manipulate ratings" (pander to readers) in INCEST. I may try some LW-pandering soon -- maybe.

But now, a quandary. My first two BOOK OF RUTH episodes went to INCEST and did well. The two-part series conclusion (almost done now) will be aimed at LW, with a sort of BTB denouement. Should I pander, or be nice? Should I care?

 

[slyc_willie]

I know complaining about ratings is tiresome, but I wanted to hear what authors thought about this...

I wrote what I think is a pretty good story. You can read it here. http://www.literotica.com/s/all-i-see-are-dark-eyes .

The rating is solid, unspectacular, although I think some people underrate shorter stories, but whatever. I am a little disapointed, however, that only 3500 or so readers have found it. I feel like if I had listed it in a different category, something other than Erotic Couplings, more readers would have stumbled on to it, even though I think that's the most apt home for it. Do authors ever try to put their stories in perhaps the second most accurate home for it, to try to find more readers?

-TOWM

You can increase readership in a number of ways. Advertising in the New Story thread can bump your reads up a bit, but not many readers check there. If you have a blog or Facebook page, you can advertise there, too. Don't expect the results to be dramatic, though.

Over time, as you build up a following of loyal readers, you'll get a respectable number of views on just about anything you post. At the least you'll get more views than previously. For instance, I've been around for a number of years. I've had two stories go live the past week. Both have 6k+ views, and they're both in Erotic Couplings.

Of course, if you're desperate for readership (not to imply that you are), you could take just about any story you've got, make the characters related, and slap it into Incest with a gratuitous title like "Mommy Blows Baby Boy."

 

[BuckyDuckman]

I know complaining about ratings is tiresome, but I wanted to hear what authors thought about this...

I wrote what I think is a pretty good story. You can read it here. http://www.literotica.com/s/all-i-see-are-dark-eyes .

The rating is solid, unspectacular, although I think some people underrate shorter stories, but whatever. I am a little disapointed, however, that only 3500 or so readers have found it. I feel like if I had listed it in a different category, something other than Erotic Couplings, more readers would have stumbled on to it, even though I think that's the most apt home for it. Do authors ever try to put their stories in perhaps the second most accurate home for it, to try to find more readers?

-TOWM

Enter the contests when they happen (while they are still happening). That will usually earn your entire catalog extra views if folks enjoy your contest entry. Beyond that, write for yourself first. Write things you like and share away. They'll find an audience and you'll have more fun because you're pleasing yourself first.

Sharing is important. Otherwise you're just doing a literary version of masturbating. It can still be fun, but sharing always makes it more fun!

 

[patientlee]

Enter the contests when they happen (while they are still happening). That will usually earn your entire catalog extra views if folks enjoy your contest entry. Beyond that, write for yourself first. Write things you like and share away. They'll find an audience and you'll have more fun because you're pleasing yourself first.

Sharing is important. Otherwise you're just doing a literary version of masturbating. It can still be fun, but sharing always makes it more fun!

What he said.

 

[Hypoxia]

It's a good, well-written story, and LIT won't let me vote for it now. Fuck it all. You'll have to do with a fave.

 

[loquere]

I feel some lit authors with resources have probably bought warehouses/Locations across the globe filled with computers and manned by refugees.

 

[loquere]

Enter the contests when they happen (while they are still happening). That will usually earn your entire catalog extra views if folks enjoy your contest entry. Beyond that, write for yourself first. Write things you like and share away. They'll find an audience and you'll have more fun because you're pleasing yourself first.

Sharing is important. Otherwise you're just doing a literary version of masturbating. It can still be fun, but sharing always makes it more fun!

I agree write for yourself. Litt is where I release all of my depravity. My mental jizz.

 

[loquere]

You can increase readership in a number of ways. Advertising in the New Story thread can bump your reads up a bit, but not many readers check there. If you have a blog or Facebook page, you can advertise there, too. Don't expect the results to be dramatic, though.

Over time, as you build up a following of loyal readers, you'll get a respectable number of views on just about anything you post. At the least you'll get more views than previously. For instance, I've been around for a number of years. I've had two stories go live the past week. Both have 6k+ views, and they're both in Erotic Couplings.

Of course, if you're desperate for readership (not to imply that you are), you could take just about any story you've got, make the characters related, and slap it into Incest with a gratuitous title like "Mommy Blows Baby Boy."

Well that's harsh, BUT other than my need to write scifi, I think I'll be specializing in ANAL stories from now on.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Hot burning branches, I hope.

I've had good reactions in INCEST, and lousy reactions in INCEST, LW, NC, and others. (I wanted that NC story to post in LW but Laurel decided otherwise.) I think I see how to "manipulate ratings" (pander to readers) in INCEST. I may try some LW-pandering soon -- maybe.

But now, a quandary. My first two BOOK OF RUTH episodes went to INCEST and did well. The two-part series conclusion (almost done now) will be aimed at LW, with a sort of BTB denouement. Should I pander, or be nice? Should I care?

That would depend on your mood.

Do what you feel like, after all it is your story.

I delved into INCEST and was very well received. I did a couple of BDSM stories, not really my bowl of cheerios, and did pretty well. My best received were my Sci-Fi tales.

 

[Hypoxia]

But now, a quandary. My first two BOOK OF RUTH episodes went to INCEST and did well. The two-part series conclusion (half-done now) will be aimed at LW, with a sort of BTB denouement. Should I pander, or be nice? Should I care?

That would depend on your mood.

Do what you feel like, after all it is your story.

Oh sure, like *I* have any control over what the characters do.

That was probably a rhetorical question. The players have already astounded me, both in the overall arc, and this two-part wrap-up. I didn't know until the last minute that international politics would leap into the tale. I have a vague notion that everyone will get their just desserts -- but I have no idea how, yet. The cheeky buggers write the story. I just transcribe.

Ah, but after its lusty and (hopefully) humorous beginnings, the story just naturally leads to tragedy, insanity, betrayal, revenge, and thus further tragedy -- all the good things in narrative life. Start with hot monkey sex, end with broiled bushbaby meat. Something like that.

Manipulate the vote? I'll sure try.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Oh sure, like *I* have any control over what the characters do.

That was probably a rhetorical question. The players have already astounded me, both in the overall arc, and this two-part wrap-up. I didn't know until the last minute that international politics would leap into the tale. I have a vague notion that everyone will get their just desserts -- but I have no idea how, yet. The cheeky buggers write the story. I just transcribe.

Ah, but after its lusty and (hopefully) humorous beginnings, the story just naturally leads to tragedy, insanity, betrayal, revenge, and thus further tragedy -- all the good things in narrative life. Start with hot monkey sex, end with broiled bushbaby meat. Something like that.

Manipulate the vote? I'll sure try.

Yeah, those pesky characters keep getting in the way of the story, they should all be shot. Wait, I did that in one story.

 

[Hypoxia]

Yeah, those pesky characters keep getting in the way of the story, they should all be shot. Wait, I did that in one story.

In my BIG BANANA the lead couple (narrator included) are eaten. Raw. So far, the vote is at 2.09. But I got rid of those slugs!

Yeah, I could (should) resolve BOOK OF RUTH by killing-off almost everyone, including the 1st-person narrator. That'd serve the bastard right, him being such an amoral lout. But I'll save a couple of the LW's he cheated with, and the kids he fathered, just for irony. No need for unto-the-nth-generation punishment. Just shift the POV to report on the late narrator's demise. Good riddance to Randy.