Do you keep a reader database?

[FifthEstate]

About three years ago I started keeping a database of reader email addresses for those who reach out to me privately with positive feedback or input regarding my stories. I have about 200 in my DB now. I note which stories/categories they like and if they leave interesting feedback. I also track where they are from if they volunteer that info, especially if it’s international. It’s fun to look at places from around the globe I’ve received outreach.

I use the information for two purposes. The first is, I send a blind copy email to all those in the appropriate categories right before I publish new chapters or stories letting them know it will be publishing soon. I obviously want the people who already like what I write to be some of the first to read and vote on it.

The second is I like to engage beta readers prior to releasing new work. I find it really gratifying to share awaited chapters/stories with loyal readers before anyone else gets to read them. Assuming they like it or I incorporate a tweak they suggest, they almost always become early 5* voters and/or favoriters which helps build momentum for the story.

Most readers who respond thank me for the heads-up communication, but occasionally I’ll get a request for removal from my communications which I honor immediately.

Do any of you do this or something similar?

 

[SimonDoom]

No. It's an interesting idea, but I figure if someone wants to know when my next story comes out they can "follow" me, and my next story automatically will show up on their page.

 

[DarkRaven13]

Oh I think that is a wonderful idea. How do you allow them to read ahead of time?

I like the idea of giving them a look/read before it gets published...kinda like a reward for being a good follower.

(By the way, I have been seeing some others singing high praise for your writings .... I am going to be stopping by your stories shortly.

 

[FifthEstate]

No. It's an interesting idea, but I figure if someone wants to know when my next story comes out they can "follow" me, and my next story automatically will show up on their page.

I get that, but I’m always surprised how many “loyal followers” aren’t Literotica members.

 

[SimonDoom]

I get that, but I’m always surprised how many “loyal followers” aren’t Literotica members.

I'm not sure what that means. How can a follower not be a Literotica member?

 

[FifthEstate]

Oh I think that is a wonderful idea. How do you allow them to read ahead of time?

I like the idea of giving them a look/read before it gets published...kinda like a reward for being a good follower.

(By the way, I have been seeing some others singing high praise for your writings .... I am going to be stopping by your stories shortly.

Once they have agreed to beta read and provide some level of feedback (I don’t ask them to be full-blown editors), I send a PDF version and ask for their overall impressions and any specific likes or dislikes. I am careful to point out I can’t guarantee I will make changes based on their feedback, but I will absolutely consider it. They are usually very happy to do so!

 

[FifthEstate]

I'm not sure what that means. How can a follower not be a Literotica member?

I wasn’t clear, I should have said fans. Non-members can’t follow other Literotica members but they can obviously be fans.

 

[DarkRaven13]

Once they have agreed to beta read and provide some level of feedback (I don’t ask them to be full-blown editors), I send a PDF version and ask for their overall impressions and any specific likes or dislikes. I am careful to point out I can’t guarantee I will make changes based on their feedback, but I will absolutely consider it. They are usually very happy to do so!

Thank you. I was wondering as I am in the midst of writing something ... and I've reached out to another member about sending her a part of it that might be of interest to her...and was wondering how best to do it

If ever.i get to the point in my library of works that it might make sense for me to.do a DB like you I will definitely consider it.

 

[PennameWombat]

You obviously inspire a different sort of reader than I do. You have to get email addresses to collect email addresses.

 

[FifthEstate]

I hope this post/question did not come off as braggadocios or insensitive, that was not my intent at all. I have absolutely no idea idea if 200 email contacts is a high, low, or average number—and frankly it doesn’t matter. I was only intending to share a process that I think has worked well for me and wanted to encourage others to consider it.

You obviously inspire a different sort of reader than I do. You have to get email addresses to collect email addresses.

 

[Rustyoznail]

No drama - We're all jealous...

I'm like Penname. I get the occasional PM, but only ever two emails that haven't been initiated by a PM.

 

[KeithD]

Nope, no databases. I dedicate my erotica time to writing them and submitting them.

 

[SamScribble]

No database. But I have ended up with a few penfriends over the years.

 

[Lucy_Lastic]

No. A database seems a bit extreme for one email address.

 

[HeyAll]

No

But I once emailed an author, and then her new story came out and my email was on her mailing list, using gmail. I also recall the late alwayswantedto had a mailing list.

Looking back, a mailing list is a fantastic idea. I problably would have made one if i could go back.

 

[thomas1965]

I like the idea of a DB and email notification. If I would get more feedback I probably would do the same.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I wasn’t clear, I should have said fans. Non-members can’t follow other Literotica members but they can obviously be fans.

I think you still need to clarify your statement. Are you saying that you get e-mail feedback from readers on sites other than Literotica (non-members), or that you receive e-mails from anonymous readers (non-members) on Literotica. I didn't think the latter was possible.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I think you still need to clarify your statement. Are you saying that you get e-mail feedback from readers on sites other than Literotica (non-members), or that you receive e-mails from anonymous readers (non-members) on Literotica. I didn't think the latter was possible.

Unless you disable feedback, anybody can use the feedback portal to provide a contact email without being a site member.

(People getting emails this way would be advised to make sure they are legit, and not some asshole signing up some poor stranger for unexpected porn updates.)

 

[FifthEstate]

Unless you disable feedback, anybody can use the feedback portal to provide a contact email without being a site member.

(People getting emails this way would be advised to make sure they are legit, and not some asshole signing up some poor stranger for unexpected porn updates.)

Yes, per Bramblethorn’s response, I only collect email’s via Literotica’s feedback portal and I’m 99% sure those responders do not have to be Lit members to leave feedback—they just have to include their email address for me to get it. I really don’t worry about the likelihood of bad email addresses as I obviously only capture those that send positive feedback and most of whom I have some sort of back and forth communication with following their initial outreach anyway. And even if I do, it’s not like I inundate them with a bunch of junk emails (I haven’t exactly been pumping new stories out on a silkstockinglover’s pace lately). Also keep in mind regarding SimonD’s earlier response suggesting that Lit followers will automatically be notified when a new story publishes, this is true, but not all Lit members who reach out via the feedback portal are necessarily followers of mine—as much as I wish they were.

 

[FifthEstate]

I think you still need to clarify your statement. Are you saying that you get e-mail feedback from readers on sites other than Literotica (non-members), or that you receive e-mails from anonymous readers (non-members) on Literotica. I didn't think the latter was possible.

See my response to Bramblethorn below…

 

[jsmiam]

Could the big discrepancy in emails received (perceived, based on other comments, my experience, other threads) be a series thing? (@Fifth, the OP has three popular/well rated series and no standalone stories. So although the emails surely are deserved, Is there also more to the story?

Of the commonly discussed topics, I’m not recalling hearing this discussed much. I am occasionally under a rock though.

So I’m curious. Do other folks who write lots of series get lots more emails than people like me? (Two, ever. ;-)

 

[lovecraft68]

Hell no, way too much work for way too little reward.

 

[FifthEstate]

Could the big discrepancy in emails received (perceived, based on other comments, my experience, other threads) be a series thing? (@Fifth, the OP has three popular/well rated series and no standalone stories. So although the emails surely are deserved, Is there also more to the story?

Of the commonly discussed topics, I’m not recalling hearing this discussed much. I am occasionally under a rock though.

So I’m curious. Do other folks who write lots of series get lots more emails than people like me? (Two, ever. ;-)

It’s interesting you raised this question as this discussion regarding reader communications has made me consider this question in more depth. Until it was discussed here, I never gave any thought to whether I receive a lot or a few reader communications. But yes, I have written only multi-chaptered stories and in thinking more about it, a lot of the outreach I get are inquiries about future or past events, characters, and desired outcomes. Based on the feedback of this thread, it appears I get a fairly robust number of email communications comparatively to authors who write primarily standalone stories. Not sure we can draw direct conclusions from this small sample size discussion, but if eliciting more reader communication is something you desire, you might consider writing more multi-chapter stories.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

It’s interesting you raised this question as this discussion regarding reader communications has made me consider this question in more depth. Until it was discussed here, I never gave any thought to whether I receive a lot or a few reader communications. But yes, I have written only multi-chaptered stories and in thinking more about it, a lot of the outreach I get are inquiries about future or past events, characters, and desired outcomes. Based on the feedback of this thread, it appears I get a fairly robust number of email communications comparatively to authors who write primarily standalone stories. Not sure we can draw direct conclusions from this small sample size discussion, but if eliciting more reader communication is something you desire, you might consider writing more multi-chapter stories.

I have posted long stand-alone stories, long stories broken into multiple parts of three or more chapters, and stories by chapters. I haven't done an analysis of which posting method generates the most e-mail feedback, but since I don't begin posting multi-part submissions until the story is complete, messages related to the next submission would typically be minimized.

I think I'm still getting around 10-15 e-mails each week, but I don't maintain a database per se. I do have a specific folder that the received e-mails get filed in.

 

[lc69hunter]

I have only recently started to publish, but have been around since 2007. When I find a story I like, or a series that is ongoing, I reach out to the author, and generally have positive feedback and establish an ongoing conversation about the story going forward.

I keep all of my Literotica correspondence in a separate folder for reference. But now that I am starting to publish, I think this is a good idea