Beginner's Guide to Self-Promotion

[Mickie]

Hi, Everyone!

I've just posted some of my thoughts on self promotion in the How To category. Give it a gander and tell me if I'm right, wrong, or indifferent. Hopefully, I'll be able to use the feedback this generates to create another, more advanced guide.

And, of course, don't forget to vote!

Here's the link -- http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=27698

Mickie

 

[tigerjen]

Sounds great!

Hi Mickie!

Did you have me in mind when you were writing
this?

I just read it through, twice.......thought it was quite
good and to the point. I just want to make a suggestion
though: maybe add a little paragraph in regards to
poetry (while I know the majority of readers who
access Literotica go more for the stories than the poetry)
because I know its not just me that want readers for
poems. And I do remember you saying to me that
"quality is better than quantity", which you used to
an effect in your piece. I have recently been "laying low"
in terms of self-promoting my work and focusing on
promoting others' writing.

(may I add that I gave it a 5?)

Thank you for the guide!

Tigerjen

 

[Mickie]

Not a problem, TJ. I noticed your 'laying low'. Actually, I've been working on this for a while and decided to put this up as a beginning article on it. There'll probably be another one sooner or later, dealing with more advanced thoughts on it, but I was getting too complicated in trying to add everything in.

The thing with poetry is a little different. I'll have to think up something more specific for helping that out. Since I only have two poems, myself, and only five votes per poem, I really can't be telling anyone an effective way to market it specifically. Ideas are always welcome!

One particular piece of feedback caught my eye already about this article. What about fan clubs? Has anyone started one? Would it be a fun thing to add some kind of forum for them to these boards? I know a lot of authors do have followings, and this might be something to explore.

Mickie

 

[tigerjen]

fan club

I'll have to brainstorm re: poetry, Mickie......

The fan club idea sounds awesome!!! I've been trying
to build up a following but as of now it seems to be
set around close friends and regulars who read my
writings. A clever idea!

TJ

 

[Mickie]

IF the fan club idea caught on, I think we really NEED to have a separate forum for it. A lot of the regulars would be a little testy if we started running around advertising our own fan club. The club would be a place for people to talk about their fav authors. It would maybe benefit some of the authors who are well-read, but really hate to post a lot about themselves on the rest of the forums. Perhaps one of the rules is that it needs to be started by the fans, not the authors?

Just thinking out loud here. Anyone else wanna kick the idea around?

Mick

 

[tigerjen]

a separate forum is appropriate

hi Mickie!

I think that a separate forum for this idea is
appropriate.....makes perfect sense.

you wrote:
<<It would maybe benefit some of
the authors who are well-read,
but really hate to post a lot about
themselves on the rest of the
forums. Perhaps one of the
rules is that it needs to be
started by the fans, not the authors?>>

I think that might be difficult for the forum to be started
by the fans themselves initially......maybe some authors
can start up the forum and take it from there....what
do you think?

tigerjen

 

[Mickie]

I think, for a fan-club to be successful, it really needs to be run by the fans. If a forum is put up, and given the proper exposure on the boards, then the fans will start moving for their fav authors. If they don't, then the purpose of the forum is lost anyway. It cannot be direct advertising by the author. It has to be in response to the quality and appeal of the author's work. In fact, the author shouldn't have to make a lot of 'appearances' on the board. It's for the fans, not the author, himself. It's an indirect way of advertising. Subtly, TJ. A whisper gathers more attention than a shout in most cases.

Mick

 

[tigerjen]

Mickie wrote:
<<I think, for a fan-club to be
successful, it really needs to be
run by the fans. If a forum is put up, and given the
proper exposure on the boards,
then the fans will start moving for their fav authors. If they don't,
then the purpose of the forum
is lost anyway.
It cannot be direct advertising by the author.
It has to be in response
to the quality and appeal of the author's work. In fact, the author shouldn't have to make a lot of 'appearances' on the board. It's for the fans, not the author,
himself. It's an indirect way of advertising.
Subtly, TJ. A whisper gathers more attention than a shout in most cases. >>

I do agree with the forum getting the proper exposure on the boards.
Maybe take a poll to see what people think? Just an idea.....because
for an idea to work there has to be some set guidelines for readers
and visitors to go by.

 

[Mickie]

Go ahead and post a poll if you want. But make sure you outline the benefits a fan club has, and also ask a few pointed questions in the bargain. IE -- Is direct feedback from your admirers more important than the voting? Do you want, as an author, more exposure than you can get on the feedback forum?

Most important, TJ, don't overwhelm the board with 'go to my poll' posts. A mention on the author forum is enough to attract the author's attention, and I think the poll itself should be placed on the general forum to attract those who don't go to the author forum. Leave it off the feedback forum for now.

Mickie

 

[tigerjen]

poll is more appropriate on general board anyway

good morning Mickie!

I was thinking along the lines of the poll being up on the
General board anyway. I'll have to brainstorm for this
poll......if possible, I would like to hear your input on what
should be on the poll. Thank you!

TJ

 

[hotti]

Hi Mickie, TigerJen

This is a great idea. I have 2 questions about it...

1) Can an author start a fan club for a fellow author? (I don't see why not, since it's not SELF-promotion, right?)

and 2) Has the poll been set up yet? I went to the general board, but couldn't find it (that's not saying much though, since it's been about a week and a half since I've been there, and it could be buried under half a ton of different threads *S*).

 

[tigerjen]

Poll not set up yet

Hotti....

Hi!
I can answer #2.....the poll has not been set up yet.

I think Mickie might be better for answering #1 though.

Any ideas to put on the poll would be great!

TJ

 

[hotti]

Thanks, TigerJen!

I'll think on that, if you like... couldn't come up with anything beyond the obvious at the moment

 

[tigerjen]

input would be great

Thanks, TigerJen!
I'll think on that, if you like... couldn't come up
with anything beyond the obvious at
the moment

Hotti.....
Input would be great......just post it up here!
Thank you!

TJ

 

[Mickie]

Sorry, everyone. I've been out of a computer for about a week. First, the new cable modem had problems, then the mouse went up in a little blue spark and a puff of smoke, then the entire thing went down -- in other words, I got a new one. Nice to be back, though.

Now, about fan clubs -- no reason why you can't start one up here on the feedback board for now. Just start a thread, state your intentions with the club, and let people join. Simple.

Things you can do with it are -- get the author to make a 'personal appearance' on the thread. Do a newsletter that goes out only to members. There are a lot of ways to have fun with it.

TJ-- the poll I'll have to think about. Right now I'm kinda mourning the loss of three or four files I didn't have backed up (Including the new Virgin Princess chapter *sighs*) As soon as I'm a little less harried I'll give it a really good think.

Meanwhile -- think up some ideas and email me if you want. That'll probably help my brain to kick into gear.

Mickie

 

[tigerjen]

take your time, Mickie

Hey Mickie!

Glad to hear that you got a new computer and are
back up and running.......

I've been too busy to think of the poll, but I will email
you if I brainstorm any ideas.....sound good?

Good to have ya back!

TJ

 

[Guest]

Excellent thread here........

I have to agree with Mickie....(TJ), it would seem to be a little too
narcissistic for a writer to promote his own personal fan club.

That having been said........

I started writing on Literotica this past March. It's taken a while (as some things do), but over time I have managed to accumulate a small following of readers who email me everytime a new story is posted.

And by the way...its not always the "Great Story" feedback emails either! I get honest feedback with why a story was liked, or what about the story I wrote someone didn't like. And this feedback is the kind I enjoy seeing and getting. It starts dialog and communication.

Eventually through this email communication I established a great relationship with an individual who eventually took on the mantel of Thesandman's fanclub President.

Now....whenever a new story posts, she will email a large group of people who've all been included on her email list and let them know Thesandman has a new story out. It's great! I get an enormous volume of responses, <votes> and incredible feedback.

I've also received several "requests" for stories to be written, and I also believe that it's important to accomodate whenever possible some of those story ideas. So I write them, even if its not necessarily subject matter I am personally acquainted with.
(So I do my homework).

And for me....a writer is someone who is willing to spend the time doing research, as well as writing about subjects or ideas that they may not necessarily agree with or participate it.
(I've even gotten a lot of surprised emails that Thesandman would write about such things). But that's ok too. Again...the feedback discussions are always interesting and entertaining if nothing else.

I do agree with TJ on the poetry issues. It's far more difficult for someone writing poetry to be noticed. And in most cases it takes a long time for a poem written to even appear on the boards with the ten vote minimum thing being required. It would be nice if there was some other way to allow a Poem that has been written to show up so that others would see it, read it...and <vote> on it yes. And indeed...self promotion in this case at the end of the poem, reminding the reader to "Please" vote on it seems to be the only way to improve the odds of having anyone do so.

The sad thing on the Poetry since the votes are low enough as they are, that the (1) voter attacks do seem to make more of a difference to the standings than they do on the Story's posted.

But as they say...that subjects been on the boards with enough discussion as it is.

So again.....great thread, good ideas. But I have to agree that we need to let "our" fans, our readership be the ones to promote such a concept or an idea. Doing so ourselves (I think) only hurts us in the long run. (Not to mention the swelled heads). And I have enough people that bring me back down to reality and keep that from happening more than it does. So I'm not sure I'd want a "Fan-Club" posting on the bulletin board.

I'm content to lock myself in the room....pull up my emails, and wait for whatever surprises I find there as I begin reading........


http://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=39666


To sleep........perchance to dream - William Shakespear

I remain.........

 

[Guest]

Speaking of self promotion........

I just "had" to include this particular feedback I JUST recieved today!

It's for this very reason that I continue, and enjoy writing here.
Even ONE single feedback like this one keeps me coming back and wanting to improve my writing, and hopefully improve the erotic stimulation I can give to those of you who read my stories.

"I sat down yesterday and read all of the Masturbation Club series and WOW!! You can imagine what I did (hehehe)!!! I must tell the truth. I've read a lot of stories on Literotica and yours are the only ones that get me hot enough to masturbate while reading them. You, my Dear, are amazing!!

Jessi "

And a BIG thank you to you Jessi........glad you enjoyed them...(and really glad you "enjoyed" period!)




To sleep.......perchance to dream - William Shakespear

I remain..........

 

[tigerjen]

And thank you to Thesandman!

Thesandman wrote:
<<I do agree with TJ on the poetry issues. It's far
more difficult for someone writing poetry to be noticed.
And in most cases it takes a long time for a poem written
to even appear on the boards with the ten vote minimum
thing being required. It would be nice if there was some
other way to allow a Poem that has been written to
show up so that others would see it, read it...and <vote>
on it yes. And indeed...self promotion in this case at the
end of the poem, reminding the reader to "Please" vote
on it seems to be the only way to improve the odds of
having anyone do so. >>

Thank you, Thesandman! You said it loud and clear!
And yes, it does take quite a while for many poems to get
onto the board once it passes the 10-vote minimum..... many
of my poems didn't even hop onto the board until at least
september, though they had been posted as early as July.

Yes it would be nice to have another way of a poem to be
presented so others would read/see it (quoting you from
above), then vote on it.

TJ