How can I encourage comment engagement?

[Need_a_bedtime_story]

The one thing that really keeps me going is the wonderful comments my readers leave. They gas me up so much and motivate me like nothing else.

I have a published series( non-con) which has gotten more comments than an average story in this category even tho I haven't been active myself in the comments. I think it got a lot of engagement because there is an added shock factor of "how could he" and "omg poor girl".

I'm wondering for my next story, if should add something like "I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments! I truly value each one and they always brighten my day. I'll be hanging out in the comments too!" in the disclaimer before the chapter starts, or at the end? Maybe leave the last part out and just be active anyway? Or is it better to not mention anything at all encouraging comments?

I don't want to draw troll comments, or make the readers feel obligated, or only receive simple "good " comments (although still very appreciated). After all, the comments I got were initiated by readers who were so pleased by the story, that they wanted to share their thought and compliments.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

I do this in almost every story I write:

Thanks for reading my humble offering. I hope you enjoyed Carly and Derrick's journey. As always, please leave me that comment. I love knowing what you think, and they truly do help make me a better writer.

So, I'm a comment whore. I've done worse, far worse.

 

[Need_a_bedtime_story]

I do this in almost every story I write:

Thanks for reading my humble offering. I hope you enjoyed Carly and Derrick's journey. As always, please leave me that comment. I love knowing what you think, and they truly do help make me a better writer.

So, I'm a comment whore. I've done worse, far worse.

Hahaha, I'm a HUGE comment whore myself so I do want to ask for it but I'm also a huge over thinker

 

[ssssh89]

I loooove reading comments even the not-positive ones. They keep me going as I know people are reading and paying attention to my stories

 

[Voyeurkenneth]

I’ve also left an ending note on my non-series stories and hard to say if I would’ve garnered more comments otherwise. But others in the past (search the forum for this topic) say it can’t hurt.

IMO, I wouldn’t put it in the front. Seems presumptuous.

Good luck! And share the outcome if you do it

 

[WittyUserName]

The one thing that really keeps me going is the wonderful comments my readers leave. They gas me up so much and motivate me like nothing else.

I have a published series( non-con) which has gotten more comments than an average story in this category even tho I haven't been active myself in the comments. I think it got a lot of engagement because there is an added shock factor of "how could he" and "omg poor girl".

I'm wondering for my next story, if should add something like "I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments! I truly value each one and they always brighten my day. I'll be hanging out in the comments too!" in the disclaimer before the chapter starts, or at the end? Maybe leave the last part out and just be active anyway? Or is it better to not mention anything at all encouraging comments?

I don't want to draw troll comments, or make the readers feel obligated, or only receive simple "good " comments (although still very appreciated). After all, the comments I got were initiated by readers who were so pleased by the story, that they wanted to share their thought and compliments.

I wish there was a magic way to get more comments, but there really isn't. We all want more comments. One thing that did help, is my author's notes at the top of each story I post. I do say comments are appreciated, like the others here. What I also do is ask to be notified if anyone spot an error. I get a few comments/private emails listing found errors for me to correct. Then they also take the time to comment on the story itself. Readers like feeling helpful, so I think this does get me a few extra comments.

 

[Need_a_bedtime_story]

I wish there was a magic way to get more comments, but there really isn't. We all want more comments. One thing that did help, is my author's notes at the top of each story I post. I do say comments are appreciated, like the others here. What I also do is ask to be notified if anyone spot an error. I get a few comments/private emails listing found errors for me to correct. Then they also take the time to comment on the story itself. Readers like feeling helpful, so I think this does get me a few extra comments.

I think this might be the best way for my case. Just something simple in the lines of "comments are appreciated. I read and value each one" in the disclaimer. My chapters tend to end with a plot twist or realization. So I feel like it would break the suspense if I then ask for comments.

 

[AlexBailey]

I don’t go there regularly, but I’ve spent some time in Lit’s Erotic Chat site.

While a lot of chat users are looking for sexting sessions, many are more interested in real conversation within the various rooms - I usually go to the “Cd Tv Ts” chat room but there are many others that may be of more interest to you.

Next to each user’s name is a link to their profile which contains a link to any stories they have published. I’ve had many back-and-forth conversations with other authors and some fans of my works.

I’ve even had someone ask to role play as some of my characters.

 

[Nynah]

I put a small blurb in my user profile that comments and feedback are always appreciated. I don't know if that has really helped but I don't think it can hurt.

I also try to reply back to any feedback I receive via email through the Literotica Feedback portal if the commenter leaves an email address.

 

[SouthernCrossfire]

I put a small blurb in my user profile that comments and feedback are always appreciated. I don't know if that has really helped but I don't think it can hurt.

I also try to reply back to any feedback I receive via email through the Literotica Feedback portal if the commenter leaves an email address.

I've found that the gentle, "will-be-appreciated" request works a lot better than not requesting so I generally follow Nynah's approach.

I also try to respond to member comments as Nynah noted, even the negative ones, though I have used the occasional blanket-thank-you note(s) in LW stories where the number of comments is sometimes much larger and often more negative. I sometimes address issues in the comments, too, if someone raises an important point. If readers know that you're reading and actually taking their thoughts or concerns to heart, they're more likely to comment again in the future.

 

[PennyThompson]

I generally get between ten and twenty reader comments on most of my stories, and I have a few thoughts

I usually include a line like, "I love receiving comments, feedback, ratings and favorites, they motivate me to keep writing!" In my author note at the top of each story.

I also engage with the comments section a little bit, by sharing a couple of thoughts or responding to one or two specific commenters. I try not to be TOO involved in the comments, though @EmilyMiller usually replies to EVERY comment on her stories, which seems to work for her

I also think it matters what kind of story you're writing. A quick stroker with lots of sex but little characterization is probably going to get fewer comments than a story with interesting and entertaining characters that readers can connect with!

 

[ElectricBlue]

I'm wondering for my next story, if should add something like "I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments! I truly value each one and they always brighten my day. I'll be hanging out in the comments too!" in the disclaimer before the chapter starts, or at the end? Maybe leave the last part out and just be active anyway? Or is it better to not mention anything at all encouraging comments?

Some authors say yes, others don't bother. I personally don't bother, because I don't think it makes much difference.

If I did, I'd do it at the end of the story, and I'd only use that first sentence. The second sentence is a bit cringeworthy.

The best way, though, to attract comments, is to write a really good story or a really bad one. Or write in Loving Wives - but do some homework before you do that, because that category isn't the same as the rest of Lit, it's got its own dynamic.

Don't expect too many comments, Lit is a feedback-lite zone, overall. My metric is one Vote per hundred Views, one Comment per thousand. If the ratio is better than that, I know I've got a good story.

 

[TheOtherTeacher]

The best I can suggest is to leave a reminder to comment at the end of the story.

But also let people know what type of comments you are looking for.

Examples I've used include "let me know if I should write a part 2" or "would appreciate feedback on this story as it's my first time writing in this category, and want to know what was good and what could be improved"

Finally mention that you read every comment, because people want to know you are paying attention

 

[RejectReality]

I always ask for votes, and frequently suggest that comments/favorites make me happy and feed my muse. I also point out that they raise the profile of the story, which attracts more of the same in a positive feedback loop.

 

[Gamblnluck]

The one thing that really keeps me going is the wonderful comments my readers leave. They gas me up so much and motivate me like nothing else.

I have a published series( non-con) which has gotten more comments than an average story in this category even tho I haven't been active myself in the comments. I think it got a lot of engagement because there is an added shock factor of "how could he" and "omg poor girl".


First off, Non-con readers do not comment much. Your story may be out there, have great ratings but few comments and only some of them might be beneficial. It is the nature of the category. Go to LW, and the opposite is true. You will get comments from both sides. Some may tell you why they love or hate your stories. Others will question your intelligence and your parentage.

 

[RetroFan]

I always invite comments, but whether or not you get them can be pot luck even if the story rates particularly well (or conversely very badly) and this can be true in categories that tend to get more comments, like Loving Wives or Incest Taboo.

For example you might write a 'basic' Loving Wives story where the wife has an affair, the husband finds out and they get divorced. It might be posted top of the list on a quiet day and get a lot of comments, good, bad, indifferent or weird. But if it was posted on a busy day mid-way down among lots of other stories, and these stories have more aspects for readers to take issue with - for example a cheating trophy wife with a selfish and bad attitude is kicked out by her angry older husband, and in a final act of revenge before leaving she and her female friends take it in turns to shit in his bed and smear their excrement and menstrual blood all over the bedroom walls but are never held to account for their actions - then the angry readers will be outraged and comment accordingly, and a standard cheat - separate - divorce story published the same day will have less comments.

 

[THBGato]

My tip would be "do as you would be done by" - if you want comments, then leave comments yourself. Lots of writers are also readers, after all.

I also leave a little note like this at the end of stories: "Thanks for reading! If you fancy something similar, I'd recommend Angela, Ventura Highway, Surviving the Ravages of Life, and An Indispensable Woman. Look out for Poppy, Mikayla and Lauren in "Forty". All comments and feedback gratefully received."

Last time I checked, my comment to views ratio was 1:390, which seems to be pretty high.

 

[rteny3245]

I make an effort to respond to most comments people leave. I don't think many readers check back on a story to see if their comment has received a reply, since unlike most internet platforms, this site doesn't send notifications for responses. However, I believe responding shows that I'm willing to engage with readers in the comment section when others participate. That said, I'm still frustrated by the sometimes 24-hour delay for comments to appear, even after having published 8 stories and posting 36 comments.

I've tried commenting on other authors' stories a couple of times, but without any replies from the authors, I'm not sure what the point is. I wish there was more critical engagement beyond complaints about grammar and simple compliments.

 

[THBGato]

That said, I'm still frustrated by the sometimes 24-hour delay for comments to appear, even after having published 8 stories and posting 36 comments.

I've tried commenting on other authors' stories a couple of times, but without any replies from the authors, I'm not sure what the point is.

Eventually, you get to the point where your comments are published immediately. But you have to have, like, 200+ comments for that.

What's the point in commenting? Karma, I would say. You want more comments, but can't see the point in writing them? Then how do you think readers feel?

For myself, I will often reach out via feedback to readers who leave multiple comments to thank them... and I've received several similar messages from writers.

So, you know, be the change you want to see.

 

[rteny3245]

You want more comments, but can't see the point in writing them? Then how do you think readers feel?

For myself, I will often reach out via feedback to readers who leave multiple comments to thank them... and I've received several similar messages from writers.

I appreciate the encouragement and after becoming a writer I am trying to be more engaging as a reader as well. So well put and I agree I will look for ways to engage other authors more often.

 

[Rob_Royale]

I used to add a polite "please shoot me a comment if you enjoyed my work" to my stories but it never made a difference in the number of comments. The stories were rated well, but I never got any additional feedback.
Most readers are just here to consume.

 

[StillStunned]

I've been making a conscious effort to reply to comments, and with a bit more than just "Thanks!" Preferably a little author insight in response to what the reader mentioned.

It's too early to say, but Red Hot is getting more comments than I'm used to, and before that While She Watches Them as well.

 

[lovecraft68]

Way back when I'd say in a closing note "Votes and comments are the only way we get paid, and are appreciated" After a year or so I stopped doing it except if it were a contest story, then I stopped doing it even with those.

My standard closing now is simply "As always, thanks for reading"

I never noticed much of a difference between the asking, and then not bothering.

I think the best way to get people involved is to just keep writing and putting out more stories, build that loyal base because those are usually the ones who'll choose to comment.

I also go with the principle of law of attraction. Don't push for it, just do your thing and expect it will come.

 

[RejectReality]

Here's a data point, for what it's worth.

My last two are both Milf stories in Mature. They're both shorter than my norm, but came out only a couple of days apart. On "So Wrong" I only mentioned voting at the end.

4.61, 322 votes, 27 favorites, 15.9k views, 6 comments.

Then a few days later, I mentioned comments as well as votes on "An Early Bird"

4.77, 436 votes, 35 favorites, 11.7k views, 17 comments.

Granted, the second one is longer, crossing into a second Lit page, and it's scoring higher, but the comments are more than double. The votes are only about 25% higher, and the favorites less than that. It's only a single data point, and other factors are certainly involved, but on the surface, asking for comments certainly seems to have produced results.

( Also an example of how short stuff doesn't do as well here. I would normally have double the vote total for something that crossed into a third Lit page, with a little more story foreplay, and a little more sexual foreplay. )

 

[Trionyx]

The only way to be sure that requests for comments do any good would be to have multiple authors writing in multiple genres request comments half the time and do nothing half the time. With enough data points, one could make a reasonable conclusion.

Short of that there are just too many variables to hang one’s hat on.