Advertising your story / increasing your view count?

[thatsbogus]

I’ve been on Lit for a dozen years now, started writing some four years ago, never posted on the Forums until now. My stories have always generally been well-received and have decent ratings to show for them, but in comparison to other stories published around the same times and holding similar ratings as mine, my view counts seem to be lagging. It staggers next there are stories here that have been viewed tens of thousands more times than anything I’ve written, or that have vote counts hundreds above mine.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for getting more people to read your work? I’ve always just published and let them stand on its own, but an author is only as good as the people who read their work. Any tips would be appreciated!

 

[Voboy]

I've never paid a whole lot of attention to views, but they are HIGHLY dependent upon category. In which category do you typically post? Some are known for having a less robust readership.

Welcome to the forums. Post up a link to your stories so we can go take a look!

 

[LexxRuthless]

It may be the categories in which you write. You can't compare apples to oranges to prunes, if you'll pardon the analogy. My Romance stories have a small fraction of the views that my Incest/Taboo stories receive, just because the reader bases for those categories are so disproportionate. Likewise, if you write series or chaptered stories, those will typically have much lower tallies for views and votes than standalone stories. Most casual readers on the site will not bother to read an entry that is "Chapter 3" or later.

With that understanding, the one thing you can do that will most increase your views and profile on the site is to just write more stories, and try to improve as an author each time you submit something new. As your catalog increases, so will the number of readers who find your work for the first time. Stories that are in the "New" field of each category will tend to draw a lot of viewers. If someone finds your work that way for the first time and like that story, they will be more likely to follow the link to your author page to see what else you've written.

Also helpful, when you hang out here, is if you add a link to your signature line so we can take a look at your work. Welcome to the Author's Hangout!

 

[Privates1stClass]

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for getting more people to read your work? I’ve always just published and let them stand on its own, but an author is only as good as the people who read their work. Any tips would be appreciated!

Posting a story in a Literotica contest will get it out front of a large number of readers. New stories only show up in the "new" category for about a week, but they show up much longer during a contest. If your contest story is good, many readers will check out some of your other stories.

Also, some categories get more readers than others. Incest/Taboo stories get more readers than Fetish, for example.

So, even if you don't win a contest, you'll see more traffic on your account. Good luck!

 

[thatsbogus]

Thanks for the responses so far. I primarily write erotic couplings and exhibitionist/voyeur stuff, and I have one in the First Time category that did well. I suppose participating in the forums would introduce my work to new authors too, wouldn’t it? I am terrible at self-promotion...

https://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=976228&page=submissions

I am not particularly hung up on my views, I’m pleased that my stories have found an audience and people seem to like them. It’s mostly just that I didn’t know if I was missing an opportunity to promote by remaining so cloistered and only flinging stories out there when I get the inspiration.

Edit: added signature with story link

 

[NotWise]

Thanks for the responses so far. I primarily write erotic couplings and exhibitionist/voyeur stuff, and I have one in the First Time category that did well. I suppose participating in the forums would introduce my work to new authors too, wouldn’t it? I am terrible at self-promotion...

https://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=976228&page=submissions

I am not particularly hung up on my views, I’m pleased that my stories have found an audience and people seem to like them. It’s mostly just that I didn’t know if I was missing an opportunity to promote by remaining so cloistered and only flinging stories out there when I get the inspiration.

I'm not familiar with Exhibitionists and Voyeurs, but Erotic Coupling doesn't typically produce a lot of views. My last story in EC has almost 11k views and it's been up since March. My most recent I/T story has 12.8k votes and it went live last night.

I second the idea of putting stories in contests. Contests provide more viewing opportunities.

 

[Brutal_One]

Chapter series

I have been writing a story arc which has got up to chapter 22. It’s true the first release can get the attention for a bit but unless you are writing one off stand alone self contained stories that will be a risk. I know I have followers (but only a few) who will read the next chapter. Often depending on what is happening a particular chapter can trigger interest in some earlier ones.

I think it’s valid that if you write new and good and use the simple link in your sig as most authors posting in AH do (I don’t myself) it should naturally attract more readers.

I started tracking my readers initially quite often but now only periodically. This let’s you appreciate that once published you will always have readers.

Some may trigger an interest. I saw recently I had a new H story. But this was chapter 05. My first H was chapter 04. So yes it was a nice surprise.

To be clear though I don’t focus on reader numbers, or getting H’s to be honest. It’s nice of course but it’s back to the question of “who do you write for?”. The obvious answer is of course the reader (or maybe yourself as to an extent it is for me).

But yes I think having a body of work and improving what you write over time (hence for me it’s great to have an editor - she is fantastically generous) it’s going to improve my submissions and arguably improve the number of readers.

I would agree too that category makes a difference. Some categories just have many more readers. I personally would never write to a ‘specific category’ but of course you have to pick one. That too and getting the right category will make a difference. Some categories readers are far less forgiving than others when it comes to either voting at all or voting that’s going to help you attract more readers.

There are a lot of time served authors here who know their craft and category they write for well who have no issues attracting readers to their fine stories!

Brutal One

 

[SimonDoom]

The two most important things are choosing in highly-read categories and just publishing a lot of stories. The other thing is that you might receive more views if you publish more standalone stories as opposed to multiple chapters in series.

Exhibitionist/Voyeur is a moderately viewed category. Erotic couplings often doesn't get high views.

Incest receives by far the most views -- 3 times or more as much as other categories. For me it's over 3 times as many views as other categories.

Loving Wives is next.

After that, some others like Mature and Nonconsent do well. Illustrated stories can get a lot of views.

 

[Ada Stuart]

Thanks for the responses so far. I primarily write erotic couplings and exhibitionist/voyeur stuff, and I have one in the First Time category that did well. I suppose participating in the forums would introduce my work to new authors too, wouldn’t it? I am terrible at self-promotion...

https://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=976228&page=submissions

I am not particularly hung up on my views, I’m pleased that my stories have found an audience and people seem to like them. It’s mostly just that I didn’t know if I was missing an opportunity to promote by remaining so cloistered and only flinging stories out there when I get the inspiration.

Edit: added signature with story link

No, you don't have to self-promote. Just publish more stories/chapters and participate in the contests. That seems to do the trick. Chaptered stories are actually quite good there, as long as you post them weekly or more seldom. You'll get more time on the New stories list so more people will find you.

That said, make sure to chose the Title and Subtitle with care. I get a lot more views with a title like "Intruder" than with other titles.

But, it takes time to get noticed and it might help to post stories in different categories. F ex, I get 3 times as many reads on Noncon than in Romance. But, the good thing about Lit is that all new stories get a fair chance to be seen by readers. I've tried my luck over at Wattpad, and they don't have that at all, so it's quite depressing to get 60 views when you're used to 30k

And, it also helps to keep your Bio page updated with what you're currently writing, and to add comments to the comments you get. I got those advice from readers who enjoyed when other authors did that.

Oh, and you can always just ask them to add you to their Favorite author list, at the end of your story. I include this text to all my new stories:

"If you want to know when my next story is released, just press the 'Favorite  Author' link below this story. All updates will be shown in your Lit profile under 'All activity'. I regularly post new stories and chapters."

 

[HeyAll]

The best advertisement is writing another story that becomes popular. People always go back and read your older work if they like you have to offer.

 

[KeithD]

Sorry, I don't see your issue. You've got uniformly terrifically high marks, lots of views, comments, and votes. Maybe a little less looking around for comparisons with other authors/stories. If you post more regularly and include a bigger mix of standalone stories, your stats may go up, but, frankly, there isn't much more "up" to go for your portfolio and most authors here would love to have your numbers.

 

[Voboy]

Thanks for the responses so far. I primarily write erotic couplings and exhibitionist/voyeur stuff, and I have one in the First Time category that did well. I suppose participating in the forums would introduce my work to new authors too, wouldn’t it? I am terrible at self-promotion...

https://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=976228&page=submissions

I am not particularly hung up on my views, I’m pleased that my stories have found an audience and people seem to like them. It’s mostly just that I didn’t know if I was missing an opportunity to promote by remaining so cloistered and only flinging stories out there when I get the inspiration.

Edit: added signature with story link

I try hard to avoid EC. It's a catchall category that churns through many submissions. A lot of my stories "could" go in there, but the ones I've posted there have not reached the audience I wanted them to. So I'll work at identifying story elements that allow me to decently place it in better category.

The contest-entry advice above is also good.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I've had good views for Erotic Couplings, but one was a contest, and the other was easily found via various popular tags (and the description 'Four bisexuals get very drunk' is precisely what it contains, resulting in happy readers).

My stories which don't neatly fit what the average reader is looking for get as little as 10% of the views and various 1-bombs, though other people like them, which will do me.

Also readers are weird. My current series is in Gay Male, cos otherwise readers object to the gay. I knew Ch.1 would bomb seeing as the first half has a female narrator. Ch.2 had half the readers but got a red H overnight because it is closer to a GM stroker.
Then chapters 3, 4 and 5 have *more* viewers than Ch 2. Surely if you're going to try a series you'd start with either the beginning or the high-rated chapter? I have to admit I'm fascinated by differing reactions and looking forward to what people make of chapters 6 to 14...

 

[thatsbogus]

Sorry, I don't see your issue. You've got uniformly terrifically high marks, lots of views, comments, and votes. Maybe a little less looking around for comparisons with other authors/stories. If you post more regularly and include a bigger mix of standalone stories, your stats may go up, but, frankly, there isn't much more "up" to go for your portfolio and most authors here would love to have your numbers.

I never said it was a problem, I just was wondering if there was anything else I could be doing for self-promotion. I’m not hung up on my numbers, I just wanted to know if there was somewhere I should be advertising or whatever.

I never would have guessed I/T was the most popular category as I’ve never been in there before. I don’t think I could write a story about that that people would enjoy. But the other ideas in this thread are good ideas. Thanks to everyone who has weighed in.

 

[yowser]

I've had good views for Erotic Couplings, but one was a contest, and the other was easily found via various popular tags (and the description 'Four bisexuals get very drunk' is precisely what it contains, resulting in happy readers).

That's a great description, and a reminder of how much a good description and title help to attract readers.

Now all sorts of title possibilities emerge:

"For Bisexuals"

"Four Bisexuals go into a Bar"

"To Bi or Not to Bi"

 

[thatsbogus]

I've had good views for Erotic Couplings, but one was a contest, and the other was easily found via various popular tags (and the description 'Four bisexuals get very drunk' is precisely what it contains, resulting in happy readers).

Not gonna lie, that description got me to read it... it’s well done. 5 stars

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Not gonna lie, that description got me to read it... it’s well done. 5 stars

Aw, thank you! You could imagine most of my other stories as 'various bisexuals do various things, but don't mention their sexuality much as it puts off so many readers'.

Some stories, tags fit well in giving a list of what readers might view as pros and cons (BDSM in particular, where 10 tags often isn't enough), others you start struggling to think of useful tags that aren't just synonyms.

It's interesting that tags commonly used on fanfic sites, like PWP (porn without plot) or Fluff or Slow Burn don't seem to be used much on Lit.

 

[SimonDoom]

I never said it was a problem, I just was wondering if there was anything else I could be doing for self-promotion. .

There's nothing wrong with trying to promote your stories, in my view. Keith's right, though: considering the categories of stories you're publishing in, you should feel good about what you've done. Great scores, plenty of views for those categories. I scanned one of them and, no question about it, you know how to write. You're doing great.

A couple of ways to get more eyeballs on the stories:

1. Get involved in forums. Occasionally people will check out your stories, as I'm sure they have in response to this thread.

2. Ask for feedback on your stories on the Feedback Forum.

3. More standalone stories.

4. If you don't like the idea of writing incest, write a Mature story or a Nonconsent story, or Anal. Those tend to get a lot of views. Branch out into other categories.

5. Pay attention to your story titles, taglines, and tags. Actively think about how you can present your story in a way to attract the most attention to it.

 

[thatsbogus]

What this thread has helped me to do is realize how other people find stories to read and what to do about them. I’ve never really thought much about tags because I don’t use them, and the one sentence synopsis of a story is literally the last thing you write before submitting. I’ll give some thought to that in the future. I know I’ve had some favourable comments and ratings here and I don’t take them for granted, but I’m also not ever going to stop striving to be better.

I also don’t know anything about fanfic apart from that it’s popular with women... I had an ex whose favourite piece of erotica was a Jane Austen fanfic that was an enormous, extremely long slow burn with no payoff. I tried reading it and all it confirmed for me is men and women are very different.

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

That said, make sure to chose the Title and Subtitle with care. I get a lot more views with a title like "Intruder" than with other titles.

Any advice on the 60-character story description? I'm awful at those.

 

[thatsbogus]

There's nothing wrong with trying to promote your stories, in my view. Keith's right, though: considering the categories of stories you're publishing in, you should feel good about what you've done. Great scores, plenty of views for those categories. I scanned one of them and, no question about it, you know how to write. You're doing great.

A couple of ways to get more eyeballs on the stories:

1. Get involved in forums. Occasionally people will check out your stories, as I'm sure they have in response to this thread.

2. Ask for feedback on your stories on the Feedback Forum.

3. More standalone stories.

4. If you don't like the idea of writing incest, write a Mature story or a Nonconsent story, or Anal. Those tend to get a lot of views. Branch out into other categories.

5. Pay attention to your story titles, taglines, and tags. Actively think about how you can present your story in a way to attract the most attention to it.

This is all great feedback, thank you.

 

[lovecraft68]

Any advice on the 60-character story description? I'm awful at those.

Whatever the kink is play up the buzz words or the theme of the category while giving a hint of the story.

In I/T always get the pairing in there...and I like to try to get a little drama pause in there...my last one from my April Fools entry

"Literotica author's stories are discovered...by his sister!"

My last one

"Darren's bratty daughter is driving him crazy...in every way."

Speaks for itself...for those who know the category the word Brat gives a hint there could be some punishment involved-which there is-and its a sub genre of its own...Daddy's little brat is treated differently than the 'daddy's little girl"

My one foray(and not a good one) in NC/R

Josh gives Tammy a chance to earn some financial aid."

On the that one it shows its more reluctance than non con, gives an idea of the set up and the word 'earn' makes the reader think "I'll bet she'll be earning it" and hopefully want to click.

The there's the occasional pun/word play that I'm always a fan of when I'm looking for something to read.

My Christmas themed foot fetish story description.

Jake finds his sole mate at Christmas...get it? Heh...clever I know.

I think there's a knack to a good one, a rhythm of sorts.

 

[SimonDoom]

Any advice on the 60-character story description? I'm awful at those.

I thought Lovecraft's advice was all good. My thoughts on handling the description/tagline:

1. Complement the story title.

2. If the story title doesn't make the content/kink clear (i.e., it's mom-son incest without the word "mom"), then make sure the tagline is obvious.

3. Use titillating words, especially if the title doesn't.

4. Tease. Hint at something to come. Use ellipses.

5. Ask a question. The reader will want to read to know the answer.

6. The reader should be able to read the title and the tagline together and have some good idea of what the reader will be in for.

7. Consult the tag list for that category to find popular tag words -- put a tag word in the tagline.

8. Make sure the tagline will be of interest to readers who read that category.

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

Whatever the kink is play up the buzz words or the theme of the category while giving a hint of the story.

In I/T always get the pairing in there...and I like to try to get a little drama pause in there...my last one from my April Fools entry

"Literotica author's stories are discovered...by his sister!"

My last one

"Darren's bratty daughter is driving him crazy...in every way."

Speaks for itself...for those who know the category the word Brat gives a hint there could be some punishment involved-which there is-and its a sub genre of its own...Daddy's little brat is treated differently than the 'daddy's little girl"

My one foray(and not a good one) in NC/R

Josh gives Tammy a chance to earn some financial aid."

On the that one it shows its more reluctance than non con, gives an idea of the set up and the word 'earn' makes the reader think "I'll bet she'll be earning it" and hopefully want to click.

The there's the occasional pun/word play that I'm always a fan of when I'm looking for something to read.

My Christmas themed foot fetish story description.

Jake finds his sole mate at Christmas...get it? Heh...clever I know.

I think there's a knack to a good one, a rhythm of sorts.

"Sole mate..." I'm not sure if that's great or terrible!

I think the problem I'm having is that there's so much going on in a chapter that I either try to make it into a summary or I use some fluff that doesn't really mean anything.

My first chapter's description is truly terrible, and I'm lucky anyone bothered reading it:

After watching from afar, he has a plan to make her his.​

The second was cringe-worthy:

He wants her mind, but he can't keep his hands off her body.​

For the third and fourth, I tried to get catchy, but they're like some sort of meaningless slogans:

Sex is easy, faith is hard, and trust is fragile.

A bitter harvest, seeds of hope, and the fruit of resentment.​

For the fifth, I basically did a table of contents:

A rescue, a claiming, and trouble on the horizon.​

For the sixth, I was really trying to come up with something tantalizing and I think the result was awful. I think two sentences is probably a bad idea.

Slow-burning teases are torture. Revenge is hot and sweet.​

The seventh chapter had a single focus that made it easier to title, and I think that worked better:

Mariah's Admission.​

I see very few, if any, buzzwords in any of them. I think I might do better if I focused on a single aspect of the chapter, but I worry if that will leave readers aggravated that the chapter doesn't match the description. Each chapter is 6-7 pages and there's a lot going on in them.

I don't know. Do you see a pattern to how I'm going wrong with it?

 

[Voboy]

"Sole mate..." I'm not sure if that's great or terrible!

I think the problem I'm having is that there's so much going on in a chapter that I either try to make it into a summary or I use some fluff that doesn't really mean anything.

My first chapter's description is truly terrible, and I'm lucky anyone bothered reading it:

After watching from afar, he has a plan to make her his.​

The second was cringe-worthy:

He wants her mind, but he can't keep his hands off her body.​

For the third and fourth, I tried to get catchy, but they're like some sort of meaningless slogans:

Sex is easy, faith is hard, and trust is fragile.

A bitter harvest, seeds of hope, and the fruit of resentment.​

For the fifth, I basically did a table of contents:

A rescue, a claiming, and trouble on the horizon.​

For the sixth, I was really trying to come up with something tantalizing and I think the result was awful. I think two sentences is probably a bad idea.

Slow-burning teases are torture. Revenge is hot and sweet.​

The seventh chapter had a single focus that made it easier to title, and I think that worked better:

Mariah's Admission.​

I see very few, if any, buzzwords in any of them. I think I might do better if I focused on a single aspect of the chapter, but I worry if that will leave readers aggravated that the chapter doesn't match the description. Each chapter is 6-7 pages and there's a lot going on in them.

I don't know. Do you see a pattern to how I'm going wrong with it?

Don't try to make it into a summary.

It's a tagline, not a preview. It should raise questions and, yes, it should clarify the kink if the tags or title leave it ambiguous. But it's primarily a hook, like "You'll never go in the water again" for Jaws. Granted, that was written by a professional, but do you see how much better it is than, "A shark terrorizes a New England beach"?

Like, "Mariah's admission" seems like summary to me. "What is Mariah's admission?" or "Maria's mysterious confession" seem like hooks.

I don't always get these right either, but I think I mostly do okay.