How do you 'win' the title and description?

[LAHomedog]

I've been posting stories here for a year. Most of them are part of a single series. However, most of my stories have original titles, even if they fit within a larger series. For example, usually instead of titling a story While the Gods Slumber Pt. 17, I call it Night of the Forgotten.

I see a distinct difference in views between the descriptions that name my characters and those that don't. For example, my latest story has a generic description, but the one before it in the series, published at the end of November, names both main characters. This newest one has more views in four days than the last installment got in eleven weeks.

To be sure, views don't mean a whole lot. They don't mean anyone liked or even read that much of the story. I get that. But if your approach is to maximize your exposure, particularly if you are a newer Lit writer, that's something.

I've noticed that some writers don't seem to care about any of this and use the same title, Chapter/Part x+1, and even the same description for all of their installments.

So I'm curious. What is your approach to title and description? What lessons have you learned from writing them?

-Yib

Like everything in life, background, experience, success and failure will filter everyone's response to this. So, this is just me:

1. I come from the world of television. We live and die by only two lines in print: The title and the short description (called the "log line.") That's it. The title must grab the viewer/reader's imagination, but the description is the worm on the hook that brings them in or even sells them.

The classic example that is taught in film/TV school is Gene Roddenberry going into Paramount Studios and pitching and selling "Star Trek" on one line: "Wagon Train in space." Boom. Sold and on the air.

2) I like to think of myself on here with my titles and descriptions like a direct-response marketer. When you go to the mailbox and get your pile of mail, most you throw out and some you open. I want to get my story on the "open pile." You mention views. If the reader doesn't view your story -- like the mail, open it, they will never read it.

You mission with title and description, in my opinion, is to turn your passive web surfer into an active viewer/reader.

3) As a reader, I like stories in "parts." If I like the first one and the title is the same with "Part 2" after it, I am more inclined to try it.

It is the description that hooks me." I'm not saying I am an expert at this in anyway, and there are talented folks on here that have much more experience than me and many, many more followers, but I spend a lot of time on my descriptions and I think I have gotten better over time.

For example, I rewrote my description for my story "Summer Camp" maybe 10 times before deciding on, "Being a camp counselor promises a summer of hot 18-year-old fun." I thought it was evocative, might bring up memories and happy expectations and had that key "worm on the hook" of "18-year-old fun," in a plausible reality. It seems to have worked. At least by the standards of my meager readership.

4) And you have to make them both work within the damn "word count" rule. Plus, don't forget your story tags. Very important! I always work mine out first.

Good luck!

 

[jaF0]

15 hours.

13 10091 3.81 / 161



And they hate it. Who knew the I/T crowd was as virulent as the LW crowd?


Fuggem.

 

[jaF0]

Funny thing though. The other two stories that went up at the same time and are both continuations of this one are both just barely above 1,000 views. Neither have any of the four magic words in the title, but all have subtitles indicating they're connected.

 

[jaF0]

40 hours to 20K even though they hate it. All three went up at the same time.

Going for the Goldie
More Morgan Tail Tales. Her Third is entered.
05/18/2021 in Incest/Taboo Stories
Published 4 2.6k 3.77 / 35


I Found My Sister's Thong in Mom's Office
A tale of business and tail with the Morgan family.
05/18/2021 in Incest/Taboo Stories
Published 17 20k 3.8 / 315


Mother Goosed Jill, Father Too
More Morgan Organ & Tail. The second coming.
05/18/2021 in Incest/Taboo Stories
Published 7 2.5k 3.78 / 49



Conclusion is that the title will draw them in.