How do you 'win' the title and description?

[yibala2]

Consider:

While the Gods Slumber; Chapter Name

While the Gods Slumber; Night of the Forgotten

While the Gods Slumber; Chapter Name

That retains the followers of the original series and gives new eyes a hint that there are more chapters previous.

We recently did an anthology series involving multiple authors that used that format and it seems to have worked out OK.

I will try something like this in the future. I just published an essay explaining the order of the stories in the series and already received a comment thanking me for it.

One of my reasons for giving installments independent names is because I see them as stories (i.e., not chapters) within a larger story arc. They have their own arcs, their own conflicts and resolution at the end, even if they fit within a series of other stories. My intention is to leave readers with some level of satisfaction even if they know that there are supposed to be more installments in the greater story arc. Obviously, from this commenter and other opinions in this thread, my approach isn't sufficient for every reader.

Thanks!
-Yib

 

[SimonDoom]

Another recommendation is to make sure the title includes a titillating word that has something to do with the story. Go to the Site's Search page and find out what the most searched terms are for that category. Match a Search term with the content of your story. When people search for a story with that content, the search will yield your story.

For example, I wrote a story about a woman who goes to the beach in a very small bikini. So of course I inserted the word "bikini" in the title. People love bikinis, and they love the word "bikini." Four years after publication that story has never had a score much over 4.5, but it still gets a lot of traffic, and I think the use of the word "bikini" in the title is the reason.

I just published a story with the word "Fuck" in the title. There's no question that the salaciousness of the title has attracted more views, votes, and favorites than a less naughty title would have.

 

[Blind_Justice]

I should have probably tagged "NIkym's Predicament" with "A story about an elf and half-dragon fucking" instead of its current tag line. Maybe then it would have gotten a few more than it's paltry 3.1k views (which is even lower than my generally low average).

But that would be false advertising. Three-quarters of the story are adventuring, thievery and gambling, therefore "A quick tale of freedom, wishes and high-stakes gambling"

I thought since we're on LitEROTICA and I publish in SF/F (not Non-Erotic) that the reader would do their math and assume there would be SOME kind of smut in there without me having to explicitly spell it out for them.

 

[yibala2]

I should have probably tagged "NIkym's Predicament" with "A story about an elf and half-dragon fucking" instead of its current tag line. Maybe then it would have gotten a few more than it's paltry 3.1k views (which is even lower than my generally low average).

But that would be false advertising. Three-quarters of the story are adventuring, thievery and gambling, therefore "A quick tale of freedom, wishes and high-stakes gambling"

I definitely think genre matters here, and that (at least some) SFF readers on Lit are looking for more than a story about an elf and half-dragon fucking, or a story that revolves around any particular kink or encounter. There is an audience here for epic fantasy, etc. even if it is relatively paltry by comparison to others.

When I first started posting here, I did post more in chapters, and I organized each chapter around a single encounter. If a longer story is broken up that way, there's more flexibility with taglines. It might even be true that I got more views when I posted that way. But it can also be an artificial way of breaking up a larger plotline and lead to readers holding off until the whole thing is finished. As mentioned before, I don't post in chapters anymore.

So yeah, I agree. Personally, I just want to find the best way to grab the attention of folks who are potentially in that paltry audience - though how others approach this problem for themselves is illuminating.

Btw, I've read some of your stuff and enjoyed it, so some of those views were mine.

Yib

 

[SimonDoom]

I should have probably tagged "NIkym's Predicament" with "A story about an elf and half-dragon fucking" instead of its current tag line. Maybe then it would have gotten a few more than it's paltry 3.1k views (which is even lower than my generally low average).

But that would be false advertising. Three-quarters of the story are adventuring, thievery and gambling, therefore "A quick tale of freedom, wishes and high-stakes gambling"

I thought since we're on LitEROTICA and I publish in SF/F (not Non-Erotic) that the reader would do their math and assume there would be SOME kind of smut in there without me having to explicitly spell it out for them.

Here's my quick take. I haven't read the story yet, but I forwarded to the comments. Your story scores well and it had some nice comments. It looks like people who read it liked it. I quickly scanned the beginning of the story, and obviously you know how to write.

But you have to ask: why is anyone going to read this story? The title says nothing about what the erotic focus of the story is. "Predicament" could be anything. Your tagline is non-erotic. Unless I've already read your stories and can expect to like them, I have no reason to go forward. The reader shouldn't have to guess what sort of smut is in your story. You need to at least tease the reader with something. Readers here have a huge number of choices, and you have to do something to grab their attention. It's especially true of Sci Fi, because the Sci Fi category gives no clue at all about what the erotic angle of the story is.

I wouldn't recommend "A story about an elf and half-dragon fucking" because it's not a sentence. I'd recommend rephrasing it as a sentence: "lusty elf fucks a half dragon" or something like that. Make it active. Tease. Make sure the title and tagline, combined, let the potential reader know what the story is about and also tease the potential reader. Be mindful of wordchoice and make sure at least one word is titillating.

I think they key, when you are crafting your title, tagline, tags, and category choice, is to put yourself in the shoes of a busy potential reader who's quickly going through a new story list and trying to decide what to read. They're going to read one story in the morning before they go to work. How do you grab their attention?

 

[jaF0]

I wouldn't recommend "A story about an elf and half-dragon fucking" because it's not a sentence.

Doe sit need to be? I mean, it's OK if it is, but think of news headlines.

Obviously, I'm a minority here, but I skip almost every story with a title containing any 'vulgar' language, rude titles, or titles with clichés.

Yeah, not among my favorite things either.

 

[Blind_Justice]

@Simon: Thanks for your input, but your naming schemes don't work with the kind of long-form stories I write. The plots are not a vehicle to get people laid. To stay with the example: The titular predicament is Nikym losing his freedom in a high-stakes game of dice. Sex happens along the way, but is not the main focus of the thing and I would feel like lying to my readers if I dressed up the title or description to look like it was. Also, not to blow my own horn too hard: My stories are a bit too long to be snacked before work (and probably too gross).

 

[SimonDoom]

Obviously, I'm a minority here, but I skip almost every story with a title containing any 'vulgar' language, rude titles, or titles with clichés. When the title is a cliché, then the story probably is a cliché as well. No sexy sisters, thick-dick daddies, horny brothers or hot mamas for me.

And I hope that, if I'd ever use such titles, the readers would feel cheated; I don't want to read and I don't want to write fuck-stories. I'd wish I could write stories which also include appealing sexual scenes in a well written storyline. Not saying my titles are good at attracting readers, but a number of readers that do take the leap seem to appreciate the story behind them.

Your interests as a reader are every bit as legitimate as anyone else's. They're different from mine, but that's fine. I like edgy, vulgar stories, and an edgy, vulgar title will tip me off that it might be the kind of thing I like. But there's no reason anyone has to like the same thing I do. Just be aware that by steering away from the use of certain kinds of terms in titles and tags you might be missing out on a potential audience. That might be a tradeoff you want to make because you want a more discriminating, and maybe smaller, reader audience. You're not wrong to want that. There are other authors who I think feel the way you do. I want to maximize eyeballs on my stories. That's "my" way, but it's not the "right" way. There is no right way.

 

[MimiRay]

I will try something like this in the future. I just published an essay explaining the order of the stories in the series and already received a comment thanking me for it.

One of my reasons for giving installments independent names is because I see them as stories (i.e., not chapters) within a larger story arc. They have their own arcs, their own conflicts and resolution at the end, even if they fit within a series of other stories. My intention is to leave readers with some level of satisfaction even if they know that there are supposed to be more installments in the greater story arc. Obviously, from this commenter and other opinions in this thread, my approach isn't sufficient for every reader.

Thanks!
-Yib

I absolutely adore your stories, but this discussion regarding titles is certainly relevant. The issue you have is the same one I've had (to the extent that I flatter myself) in that the span between episodes tends to be fairly long, and it's easy to lose the thread of who was whom, and what was where, and what was the thrust of the action that's now being continued. A chapter name that helps with continuity might be something to think about.

Also I agree that your explanatory essay was tremendously helpful. I had been toying with the idea of something similar for a future long tale that I have in mind -- sort of a "Table of Contents" and/or an introduction setting the story up and explaining the background context (helpful in non-Earth planets, perhaps?) I'm not sure if I would post that as a separate item or attach it to the beginning of the series, but I have a while yet to think about it.

One other thing to think about when posting an explanatory essay as you did. Those potential readers who do not already follow you are not likely to see it, as it's placed in a different section which is not widely viewed. On the other hand, those who don't follow you may not be all that interested anyway.

Your stories do stand alone pretty well -- EXCEPT for those of us who are already invested in the series as a whole. Then I have to go back and jog my memory. So far, that's always been worthwhile.

 

[yibala2]

I absolutely adore your stories, but this discussion regarding titles is certainly relevant. The issue you have is the same one I've had (to the extent that I flatter myself) in that the span between episodes tends to be fairly long, and it's easy to lose the thread of who was whom, and what was where, and what was the thrust of the action that's now being continued. A chapter name that helps with continuity might be something to think about.

Also I agree that your explanatory essay was tremendously helpful. I had been toying with the idea of something similar for a future long tale that I have in mind -- sort of a "Table of Contents" and/or an introduction setting the story up and explaining the background context (helpful in non-Earth planets, perhaps?) I'm not sure if I would post that as a separate item or attach it to the beginning of the series, but I have a while yet to think about it.

One other thing to think about when posting an explanatory essay as you did. Those potential readers who do not already follow you are not likely to see it, as it's placed in a different section which is not widely viewed. On the other hand, those who don't follow you may not be all that interested anyway.

Your stories do stand alone pretty well -- EXCEPT for those of us who are already invested in the series as a whole. Then I have to go back and jog my memory. So far, that's always been worthwhile.

Much, much appreciated MimiRay.

I'm really happy to have gotten so much feedback so quickly that the essay was helpful. The other suggestion I got in the comments was to provide the story order in my bio. So I will probably do that - between the submissions list and the bio page, I hope most people who are looking for a guide will find it. I think that would help with yours too, as you have multiple series with the same characters... it's also fun just to know more of the background.

With the next series, I am going to try a clearer titling method. While the Gods Slumber: Night of the Forgotten exceeds the 35 char. limit, so maybe I'll need to be more economical with my titles.

Yib

 

[NotWise]

With the next series, I am going to try a clearer titling method. While the Gods Slumber: Night of the Forgotten exceeds the 35 char. limit, so maybe I'll need to be more economical with my titles.

You can ask for Laurel's help on that. I have two SF&F stories that should be part of an anthology, but I didn't know how to join them. The first was "The Third Ring." The second was "Tamsin of Sky Village." When Laurel knew what I wanted, she renamed the second story "The Third Ring - Tamsin of Sky Village," which exceeds the 35 character limit.

 

[tomlitilia]

My take is that between the title, description and category, the potential reader should have a general idea of what the story is about. For example, my story Better Than Wine Tasting with the description "Loving Wife turned shameless exhibitionist, and then some," was posted in Exhibitionist & Voyeur, but could just as well have gone into Group or LW. The desciption is meant to disuade readers only interested in E&V and would have bern different had it been posted in other candidate categories.

I also aim to not give away the entire plot with the description, whereas I tend to let tags be more elaborate, the reason being that readers who really want to avoid certain kinks should have a way to check for red flags, while readers who are looking for that specific kink can find the story by tag searches.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

I just wrote a lengthy e-mail on this very subject earlier today:

I was thinking of how "formulaic" some of my writing is, and yet that has certainly yielded some widely read stories. When I sorted my stories by views, it didn't immediately register that the top of that list was dominated by third-person narratives. After that thought hit me yesterday, I went back and looked at the statistics more closely.

When I first began writing, I wanted to get as much "out there" as quickly as I could, so I could see what readers liked and what they didn't. I expected to use the ratings and views as guidelines, because I had no idea how much chicanery and pure dumb luck factored into those numbers. Nonetheless, there are clear patterns for what kinds of stories will yield the most views and therefore increase your visibility and following as a writer.

If you look at the Top Lists and look at the Most Read stories, there are three different lists: All Time, Last 12 Months, and Last 30 Days. All three of those lists are dominated by incest stories, with Mom / Son narrowly edging out Brother / Sister. Not exactly news, right?

Here's the next "key" that I've noticed, though. Think of it as the "Three Ts" -- Title, Tags & Teaser (the short description). As stupid and limiting as it may seem, just throwing the word "Mom" "Mommy" "Sis" or "Daddy" into the title practically gives you an extra 50k views. That "bonus" to views will build on itself if the premise is titillating and the story is well-written. Finally, there are the tags that inherently draw readers. That is a little more problematic to work out.

Story Tags (tags.literotica.com) gives a tremendous tool for finding stories, and lots of readers utilize that or Search Story (search.literotica.com), which also utilizes tags. What we can see at a glance is what tags are most commonly used. What we don't see on either of those lists is what tags draw the most views. The weird thing I've noticed with my stories is that readers tend to utilize the same tags on Literotica -- to look for sex stories -- that they use on other porn sites to look for videos they want to watch. So, I have had a lot of success with tags like "Huge Cock" "Big Tits" and the like, even though I'm not showing any pictures of those characters.

[As an aside here, it would make a lot of sense that those stories would earn a ton of views if my story was posted in "Illustrated" stories. Also, those stories get a disproportionately large number of views. Something I figured I ought to mention, in case it hadn't come to your attention sooner.]

So, the story My Busty Mom Is an Anal Slut! should draw a ridiculous number of views. Need to write it in third person, of course. In the story description, make that clear. When Shannon saw her son's enormous dick, she had to have it! Then, to ramp up the views, you need some sort of tease worked in there to make readers think there could be a sequel. You want them to come back to the story to see if you've written it, thus giving your story additional views over time. So, neither Shannon the busty mom, nor Tommy, her horse-hung son are aware that Tommy's sister is watching them and toying her own virgin asshole as she imagines taking her brother's giant dick back there.

Let's see, crunch the numbers and we get...500,000 views in a year. Winner!

I'll tell you what was hard when my fan fict was on here; tagging chapters that had no sex in it. Ironically the chapters with no sex had red H's.

 

[MsNatalie99]

I'll tell you what was hard when my fan fict was on here; tagging chapters that had no sex in it. Ironically the chapters with no sex had red H's.

Fans can be fickle. I love fanfiction, but honestly don't care for the sex in it. I just enjoy seeing the characters I fell in love with still doing something. Yeah 7of9 blowing Data would be interesting, but I am often more concerned with the story than the sex. Like what are the Romulans doing during this act of fellatio, or how does that help in repairing the quantum generator in the warp core, and isn't such repairs Geordi's responsibility? That poor guy never got any play. Even the Android got laid.

 

[yibala2]

Like what are the Romulans doing during this act of fellatio, or how does that help in repairing the quantum generator in the warp core, and isn't such repairs Geordi's responsibility? That poor guy never got any play. Even the Android got laid.

I thought Geordi finally did get play in Aquiel.

Though it was pretty touch and go throughout the episode. His one chance to get some love... and she's a murder suspect.

Yib

 

[MsNatalie99]

I thought Geordi finally did get play in Aquiel.

Though it was pretty touch and go throughout the episode. His one chance to get some love... and she's a murder suspect.

Yib

I know right! Even Wesley had girlfriends. Wesley! Geordi should have had a gaggle of ass. Smart, excellent reputation, great job, good shape, WTF.

 

[Blind_Justice]

I've just submitted "Mud and Magic Ch. 14". Description: "A simple detour leads to a night of debauchery." Lets see how long it takes to crack 10k readers. I suspect it won't, not with a m/f/futa threesome as said debauchery.

 

[MsNatalie99]

I've just submitted "Mud and Magic Ch. 14". Description: "A simple detour leads to a night of debauchery." Lets see how long it takes to crack 10k readers. I suspect it won't, not with a m/f/futa threesome as said debauchery.

I don't know, that perked my ears right up.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

To me, a title and description should give a reader a reason to read your story.

My titles tend to vary between simple and direct to something more elegant.

However, my descriptions are punchy, quick descriptions of what to expect in the story.

For example, the title "A Ladder Backed Chair" feels relatively generic. (Although a ladder-backed chair is featured prominently in the story.) I don't expect that title to grab many eyes. Meanwhile, the description promises, "A straight model and her artist have a short, lesbian fling."

Meanwhile, my very porn-y story, "My Sister the Christmas Cruise Slut" hardly felt like it needed a description. What it got was a nearly a repeat of the title, LOL!
"My sister unleashes her inner slut during a Christmas Cruise."

Two of my favorite titles are actually puns on the content.

"Filled with Joy," Is about a bisexual man finding fulfillment with a woman named Joy.

Similarly, "Gay for Candy," is about another bisexual man wrestling coming to terms with his dual because of a girl named Candy.

But my absolute favorite title has to be, "Kissing my Sister's Cousin," which works as a description of the content for a brother/sister/cousin story.

 

[yowser]

To me, a title and description should give a reader a reason to read your story.



For example, the title "A Ladder Backed Chair" feels relatively generic. (Although a ladder-backed chair is featured prominently in the story.) I don't expect that title to grab many eyes.

Maybe 'The Church of of Ladder Back Saints'?

 

[Trionyx]

I generally prefer a unique title. I think of a title and then search to see if it has been used by another author. Obviously I can’t control someone else picking the same title in the future.

 

[jaF0]

So, 'The Wrong Sister's Thong In Mom's Office' should break, Lit, right?

“ERROR 1406 (22001): Data too long for column”, I’d bet... . (But don’t get me started on the allowed length of titles, and more so, tagline/descriptions!)

But yeah. I would bet that title would do the job well!

I'm trying to figure out how to make that work. Maybe couple it with the idea of the family helping a troubled family business.


On longer titles, a Note To Admin can help.

 

[jaF0]

So, 'The Wrong Sister's Thong In Mom's Office' should break, Lit, right?

But yeah. I would bet that title would do the job well!

I'm trying to figure out how to make that work. Maybe couple it with the idea of the family helping a troubled family business.

I've just submitted "Mud and Magic Ch. 14". Description: "A simple detour leads to a night of debauchery." Lets see how long it takes to crack 10k readers.

My Thong thing made 5K in 8 hours.

They don't exactly love it all to death though ( 7 5086 3.75 / 69 )

How long for the next 5K?

 

[8letters]

My Thong thing made 5K in 8 hours.

They don't exactly love it all to death though ( 7 5086 3.75 / 69 )

How long for the next 5K?

An enticing title will only do so much. I published "My Mom Competes with my Stepmom" yesterday and it got 55k views. But it's rating is 4.79.

 

[TadOverdon]

I fear that we're a little tongue-in-cheek too often, especially in the description slug-lines. It's not even very effective whimsy, for the most part. But the character limit for description is very short, and most of the time would otherwise boil down to "And then she fucks this next guy."

I didn't have anything to do with the title Mothers Gone Wild, but that story was started back when the "Girls Gone Wild" videos were still a thing. So even the feint at "clever" got dated pretty quick.