Reaching Out to Readers?

[Doublethink34]

What do folks think of reaching out to your readers?

Obviously if they email, I email back.

If they send a constructive non-anonymous comment, I email them a response. I am always grateful even if I disagree with their commentary. I've never gotten a response except when the person posts their email on their profile. Which makes sense, because most people are probably using fake porn emails they never check.

Now I'm wondering if it's a good idea to email readers who send positive emails or comments when I have a new story. A lot of times people say they can't wait for more, but don't follow or favorite so how else are they to know? Good idea? Bad idea?

 

[MillieDynamite]

What do folks think of reaching out to your readers?

Obviously if they email, I email back.

If they send a constructive non-anonymous comment, I email them a response. I am always grateful even if I disagree with their commentary. I've never gotten a response except when the person posts their email on their profile. Which makes sense, because most people are probably using fake porn emails they never check.

Now I'm wondering if it's a good idea to email readers who send positive emails or comments when I have a new story. A lot of times people say they can't wait for more, but don't follow or favorite so how else are they to know? Good idea? Bad idea?

I try to never throw gasoline on a camp fire. I answer emails that are sent to me, with some reluctances, most of the time. Occasionally, the sender is so creepy I don't want to give them more information to track me down with. I have never started a dialog in email when I can exchange through the comments or PM's on the site.

Just me you see, but having been stalked once in my life, I don't relish the idea of it happening again.

 

[jaF0]

Now I'm wondering if it's a good idea to email readers who send positive emails or comments when I have a new story.

Spam is never good. If they want to keep track of new stories that can use the Follow method.

I would report an author that spammed me.

 

[MillieDynamite]

What do folks think of reaching out to your readers?

Obviously if they email, I email back.

If they send a constructive non-anonymous comment, I email them a response. I am always grateful even if I disagree with their commentary. I've never gotten a response except when the person posts their email on their profile. Which makes sense, because most people are probably using fake porn emails they never check.

Now I'm wondering if it's a good idea to email readers who send positive emails or comments when I have a new story. A lot of times people say they can't wait for more, but don't follow or favorite so how else are they to know? Good idea? Bad idea?

You could use constant contact and start a newsletter for those that wish to sign up for it. I'm not sure you'd get many though.

 

[HeyAll]

In the past year (or more) when someone adds me to favorites and I'm the first (and/or only) I email them using feedback saying thanks for the first favorite. I never bother to leave my email, and I never get a return feedback from that.

A lot of times when readers email me (using feedback) I always message back. I think mostly there's no response.

I get it. I don't expect a response. I know it's awkward and there's nothing else to say.

I also think feedback goes into the spam box sometimes.

 

[KeithD]

Unless a reader actively initiates a connection, I won't do more than drop a "thanks" occasionally where they have originally commented, and especially if they have frequently commented favorably. I think going farther can be taken as intrusive and shows neediness.

 

[MillieDynamite]

But Keith, all authors are some needed, aren't they? I mean I love comments, even the bad ones, unless the attack me as person. In one way, that shows to me, I need some kind of reinforcement to my writing.

Even so, I don't reach out to followers with private messages. That's sort of intrusive if you do.

 

[PennameWombat]

What do folks think of reaching out to your readers?
<snip>

To repeat, everyone following you gets notified by the site when you publish a new story. No email necessary, that’s how the site works.

I’ve received one feedback that specifically asked me if I had a notification list. I replied back “my work’s pretty well all here for now, so you’re getting it if you follow me.” I’ve sent thank you replies to a couple of other private feedbacks where email ID was included, but that was it. And nothing further was received.

I have emails of a few fellow authors here, but those I restrict to agreed beta reading, review and such that we help each other with, not spamming them.

You are allowed to point in your profile to your website, blog, Patreon or whatever, and you could maintain an opt-in list there. That’s not unusual, but it’s outside of Lit.

I replied via comment to a couple of comments, but with moderated posting lag and lack of threading, that’s useless beyond (as I now do sometimes) commenting “sequel is up, go here.” And that’s for those who come later.

So no, my followers get notified already by the site and other than them, I don’t even know who my readers are. I love them all, but unless they ask for contact I respect their space.

 

[gunhilltrain]

But Keith, all authors are some needed, aren't they? I mean I love comments, even the bad ones, unless the attack me as person. In one way, that shows to me, I need some kind of reinforcement to my writing.

Even so, I don't reach out to followers with private messages. That's sort of intrusive if you do.

It someone sends me a private message, I will respond. I once got into an extensive discussion with someone, but that is rare.

If someone comments, I will add my own comment below if I have something to say. Usually I won't get a follow-up from that person.

 

[lovecraft68]

But Keith, all authors are some needed, aren't they? I mean I love comments, even the bad ones, unless the attack me as person. In one way, that shows to me, I need some kind of reinforcement to my writing.

Even so, I don't reach out to followers with private messages. That's sort of intrusive if you do.

I'll respond to an e-mail and the response varies based on the e-mail.

if its explicit and telling me how many times they got off or "you're the best ever" anything like that I have a standard, "Thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to reach out."

On the occasions a woman-assuming they really are-replies again now that they have the e-mail I use with a picture and more explicit "things they'd love to do" or "I'm only a few hours away" I never reply to those, I'm one of those people who believe in "micro cheating' and I don't need to encourage anything.

Course I'm also well aware if I were single I'd never get those cause that's how it works.

If they have a question or point to make about the story I'll reply and I've had a few interesting conversations that have given me some good insight into the readers.

I think what Keith was referring to was the OP asking about sending e-mails unsolicited, like to say "hey I have another story out."

 

[MillieDynamite]

I'll respond to an e-mail and the response varies based on the e-mail.

if its explicit and telling me how many times they got off or "you're the best ever" anything like that I have a standard, "Thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to reach out."

On the occasions a woman-assuming they really are-replies again now that they have the e-mail I use with a picture and more explicit "things they'd love to do" or "I'm only a few hours away" I never reply to those, I'm one of those people who believe in "micro cheating' and I don't need to encourage anything.

Course I'm also well aware if I were single I'd never get those cause that's how it works.

If they have a question or point to make about the story I'll reply and I've had a few interesting conversations that have given me some good insight into the readers.

I think what Keith was referring to was the OP asking about sending e-mails unsolicited, like to say "hey I have another story out."

I always respond when they are polite and have comments on my story. It's the creepies I don't reply to.

 

[gordo12]

To repeat, everyone following you gets notified by the site when you publish a new story. No email necessary, that’s how the site works.

I was here for close to two decades and never knew there was a section that notified you of authors posting if you followed them. I don't think many readers are aware of that feature.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I was here for close to two decades and never knew there was a section that notified you of authors posting if you followed them. I don't think many readers are aware of that feature.

They would be aware if they follow you, and use their control panel - they'd get every notification of a new story from every author they follow.

Granted, authors are more likely to use their control panel regularly, but I assume readers who follow me do so so they can get the new story alerts. Otherwise, why follow?

 

[SimonDoom]

Ha. I'm single, so that must be why I don't get those!

In response to the OP, I don't really have an MO. I like to respond to readers that have initiated a positive comment to me, whether by comment, or private message, or email. I feel no obligation to respond to something negative.

 

[gordo12]

Otherwise, why follow?

That hit the nail on the head. I wonder how many readers here know what it really means to "follow?"

On a lot of social media sites like Twitter, it means a deluge of material I never read. Therefore I avoid "follow!"

I wonder if changing the name of the follow function would get better results?

As for the O/P's question, yes I've reached out. Seldom get any response unless they wrote me first. I suspect like someone else said, they use a throwaway address that they never check.

 

[MillieDynamite]

That hit the nail on the head. I wonder how many readers here know what it really means to "follow?"

On a lot of social media sites like Twitter, it means a deluge of material I never read. Therefore I avoid "follow!"

I wonder if changing the name of the follow function would get better results?

As for the O/P's question, yes I've reached out. Seldom get any response unless they wrote me first. I suspect like someone else said, they use a throwaway address that they never check.

A possible better way, "Be Informed of New Material from this Author" only that'll be hard to put on a button.

 

[gordo12]

A possible better way, "Be Informed of New Material from this Author" only that'll be hard to put on a button.

Exactly. Maybe "Author News" or something like that. But you need to know there's an actual problem before making changes.

 

[KeithD]

I'm not enthusiastic about the "tell me each time a story drops" function. I drop at least one story a week. I would be irritated if I got such a notification that often from someone else.

 

[gordo12]

I'm not enthusiastic about the "tell me each time a story drops" function. I drop at least one story a week. I would be irritated if I got such a notification that often from someone else.

It's already there and they're already getting the notifications. I'm not sure what you mean. Besides, do you follow anyone to get notifications from?

 

[MillieDynamite]

It's already there and they're already getting the notifications. I'm not sure what you mean. Besides, do you follow anyone to get notifications from?

Jo, my significant other, does the like and follow functions from her account. we're a mulit literotica family.

 

[jaF0]

On another note ....


https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=1548072

 

[KeithD]

It's already there and they're already getting the notifications. I'm not sure what you mean. Besides, do you follow anyone to get notifications from?

In turn, I don't know what you mean in terms of what I've posted. What my post was saying is that I don't advocate following me here unless you like to get a prompt at least once a week from me. I'd find that intrusive myself.

And, no, I don't follow anyone here.