Is the title what gets them to read your story?

[Tycoon]

I have been haggin' around this place as of late. I started wondering how some get there stories read so much. I have checked the top stories lists and have realize one thing. It doesn't matter if you are a new author or a vet. with many stories, some have over 250 readers/voters and some have less then ten. Some have been out two weeks with over 500 reads/votes and some a few months with less then 20 votes. I have seen members of over a year with many stories out with just little viewing from the public and new members with there first story out with hundereds of votes.
So I was just woudering for all of you. What gets you to click on the story and read it.
I'm new at this myself and just submitted my first story and would like to hear your thoughts on how to get readers/voters. I know a good, well written story gets around but besides that, what do you think?

 

[SpecialK]

With the new scripts, I get to look at several things to pick and choose which stories I read. A catchy description is probably what I used to rely on most before, followed by a great title.

Now I can not only check out the title and description, but the catagory and the author. Those are also factors which help me decide which story I choose to read. And yes, I'm also guilty of picking stories high on the top lists. Who doesn't want to read a good story? And, I often read the stories that have been praised by others.

If you figure out a way to get your stories read more, let me know. Not a single story of mine has more than 2 votes. <sigh>

K

[Edited by SpecialK on 01-28-2001 at 12:13 AM]

 

[Whispersecret]

Tycoon, you can't assume that stories that were posted months ago with a low number of "reads" are unpopular or not worthy of reading. When the new scripts came online, votes on the old stories didn't transfer. Visitors to the sites typically look at the New Story Index or the Top Story Index, so it follows that the new stories get more reads.

Luckily Laurel is working on a "Hall of Fame" list that will hopefully help inform newer Literoticans about stories they might enjoy, but which are buried under the weight of all the wonderful new stuff.

Now, as to your question...there are several factors that I think affect whether a reader will click on your story or not. I think the author has a lot to do with it. Some authors here have built a readership. As a beginner here, you obviously have no control over that (yet.) Also, Laurel's one line blurb describing your story has a lot of influence, and you can't really control that either. You do, however, have control over the title. I think you're pretty savvy if you take advantage of that.

Don't just settle for the first title that comes into your head. "Linda and the Poker Party" seems bland and unimaginative to me. If your story revolves around a wife and a poker party gang bang (kind of a cliche plot anyway), then challenge yourself to think of something clever. A good title should hook the reader into reading the beginning of your story (and a good story beginning should hook the reader to read the rest.)

Often catchy titles are plays on words. Luckily the subject of sex lends itself to that very well. Think about an aspect of your story (in this case, poker) and let your mind run with that. Bets, wagers, chips, laying cards down, bluffing, full house, four of a kind, dealers, winning the pot, antes, raises, etc. Then try to associate one of those thoughts with your wife or some aspect of the story.

Betting on My Wife
Ass, Mouth and Pussy: Three of A Kind
Calling Her Bluff
Bluff or Muff?
Bluffs and Muffs
The Jack-Off-Pot

However, often I prefer titles that don't have an obvious sexual connotation for erotic stories. Then I have the opporunity to figure out the double-meaning myself and it's not pushed into my face. For instance, a story called "The Jackpot" might end up to be about guys at the poker party who jack off into the wife's mouth (pot.)

Some people swear by alliteration (using words that repeat the first letter, as in "Hot Humongous Hooters.") I have nothing against that, but be careful about forcing it just for its own sake.

I don't think there's any hard and fast rule, except to take some time to think. Pay attention to your intuition. Personally, if I don't get that "THAT'S IT! THAT'S THE TITLE!" feeling, I keep thinking. I have a poem that's been finished for weeks, but I'm not satisfied with the 20+ titles I've come up with. It's still sitting with an "almost-there" title in my computer. I won't send it to Laurel until I have the perfect title.



[Edited by whispersecret on 01-28-2001 at 11:58 AM]

 

[Tawny T]

Whisper, you're talking about me! - Alliteration. I love it, BUT it has to make sense, AND have a connection to the story for me to put it there. In one, yet to be posted story, I changed the story slightly to put a reference to a Siren in it so it could come out as "Sexy Siren's Seduction."

I think a title will definately help someone look at a story they might otherwise not read. Some may look at the author's name also.

A new story of mine with the title starting with "Mommie's" got 116 votes in just two days! "Mommie's Wonderful Welcome" - Tawny's alliteration filled it out. Now tell me that that a story beginning with "Mommie's" didn't grab their attention! Incest will do that too!

Other alliterations I used (that worked) were:

Family Farm Fun
Lactating Lesbian Lady
Lucky Lawnmower Ladies
Lovely Lingerie Lady
My Lovely Leila
Randy Roommates
Sexy Slumber Seduction
Sexy Scuba Partner
Sexy Sister-in-law
Similar Super Sexy Asses

Coming soon - I hope are;
Sexy Siren's Seduction (not up yet)
Sapphitic Suburban Sighs (not up yet either)

Personally, I always try to come up with a catchy title to grab the readers attention. Then they may look to see who wrote it.

Sex, Sexy, Seducing, Erotic, Lovers, Loving, Lesbian, Family, Mommie, Sis, Brother, seem to catch the readers eye.

 

[Aveun]

Catchy Story Titles

Unless a story is just really really good, usually i forget about the little voter box at the end of the story. that could be part of your problem, people forgetting to vote

 

[cam31camm]

hmm...may have to go back and change some titles.....all mine have geographical names with only faint connections to the stories....

Mistakenly perhaps, I believe people will spend more time with a story that doesn't have a sexually-loaded title...some of the examples above give the entire plot or the centerpiece of the story away in the title, instantly clueing you in and maybe tuning you out.....

or perhaps I am just being hopeful......

 

[Tawny T]

No, I think you have the right idea. A good catchy title will grab a readers eye. THAT's what you want. Catch their eye and mind.

With so many stories being posted at the same time every day, which would you open first/or - at all?

Six Seductive Sirens Seduce Sally, and Her Sexy Sister Sarah, (Lesbian and Incest) , Vs on the next line, A Kansas wheat field afternoon date ( Mature Romance).

--------------------------------------------------------

To err is human. To forgive? - Your Ass is Mine!

 

[Tycoon]

Thanks for the input from all of you. Everything said, has been duely noted. I am just starting out with this writing thing, so I'm basicly like a spounge right now, soaking up every bit of input I can get. The only way to learn is to ask. I have posted my first story titled THE SUMMER OF, WHAT HAPPENED?{Erotic Couplings}, If you would like to read it,I would love any feedback on it.

Thanks

 

[NakdSalr]

I too am new. I have read stories for more than a year, but finally decided to submit a few. I have been very lucky in receiving votes and replies. Sad to say, when I was a reader, I quite often read without voting. Sorry to all for that. I agree with the thought that title has a bearing on whether the story is read. My second submission "Mom Falls From Grace" wasn't quick to take off.

However I feel the real secret, is to tell a damn good story that is plausible and the rest of the problems will take care of themselves.

[Edited by NakdSalr on 02-17-2001 at 09:46 PM]

 

[Mr_Neb]

I think from now on I'm going to have Whispersecret provide the titles for all my stories.

 

[bluntforcemama]

YES YES YES!!! Atleast I think so... I always go for the ones with nifty titles.... or something that atleast catches my eye, something out of the ordinary.

 

[Tawny T]

I think a story title is like a worm on a hook. To catch the fish, you have to get their attention first. Then if the worm tastes good, and they swallow it, that's when you have them hook, line, and sinker. I put a lot of thought into my titles.

Of course, it had to be a good story after they get "caught", no question about that! You can't very well get a readers attention with the proverbial 2X4!

I was just reviewing a very well written story by a first time author. The title was something like 'College Entry'. I suggested she find a good catchy, sexy title for that one.

As a first timer, she only had one thing going for her - it was a Lesbian story. Readers looking for that category would look at the story title, and decide if they wanted to read it or not. Her name meant nothing to the potential reader.

 

[Flagg]

It is my firm belief that people surfing the net are both lazy and in a rush. A trick I often use is to use a title beginning either with the letter "A" or a number. That will mean that your story will appear at the top of the list within your category. People will therefore not need to scroll down the page to find it.

Personally, I rarely use sexual connnotation in the title. I quite like to play on words - "A Very Divine Intervention" for example or "Still Love".

Mind you, I don't know why I'm giving advice, the highest number of votes I've had for a story is 14!

 

[XXplorher]

“So I was just woudering for all of you. What gets you to click on the story and read it.”

Spellinghh is usually helpfewl.

Sewper Hottie Gobbles a Hawd Awn.
Judges?

I’m not listed here any more, but I am curious. My titles basically suck. Yet I was able to garner some nice billing. (That was back in the day when this site was in its initial fornication stages.) Would this garner a click through on Literotica these days?

Sorry, Wrong Number
The Other Woman I II II
Black Valentine
Thanksgiving Feast
Essence of Innocence

I like Black Valentine as a title. That’s a bit unique. The rest are shit, eh?
In Tawny’s case, I would have to say the Author name makes it (prior to her fame even). Lesbian stories by a woman named Tawny? Yup – that works. Yum yum.
My author name is somewhat catchy, XXplorher. That may have helped.
Next to that, if you have a stellar opening paragraph… that helps considerably. Give me a sense of the style and approach I’m going to feel if I continue. And tie it in w/the title.

Yup.

 

[Whispersecret]

I like Black Valentine and Essence of Innocence as titles. Whether I clicked on it or not would also depend on Laurel's blurb. Luckily for us she's pretty good at writing those.

 

[masterstern]

Its the title

Read your threads about how a story becomes popular. In my opinion its all about the title. If the title is late in the alphabet, and it was missed when first posted. It will never draw the same interested, as say a story posted early in the alphabet.

Therefore you find that the most popular stories have titles like "A good ride" or "Adventures in the erotic". Many authors seem to do this now because they we get more readers, and more votes

If you doubt this, then check out the charts for each category. Please remember this is only my opinion!

Masterstern

 

[Tawny T]

Whoa! Where did alphabetical listing come in?

I just looked, and they are not in alphabetical listing when they are first posted, or in the listing for categories. Listing for categories is by their rating number first, and second by how many votes they have.

Putting an A at the first of a story won't get you first place on any list I have seen.

Am I wrong?

 

[Weird Harold]

Putting an A at the first of a story won't get you first place on any list I have seen.

If you go to the category looking for a story instead of a top list or the new stories list, the stories are in alphabetical order.

Therefore, "Zoe's Zulu Lover" isn't going to get found very often unless it's at the top of the top stories list. People browsing through all of the stories in a category aren going find some other title that piques their interest befoore getting to the Z's.

 

[NakdSalr]

Flagg--Thanks
I have to confess--that I wasn't aware that the stories were in alphabetical order in the catagories--Dumb huh?? I just assumed they were placed in the order received.

I generally read from the new list unless I am hunting something from a specific author, then I go to his/her listing.

I don't know if this will change my way of titling my stories, but it will sure make me think about it.

 

[masterstern]

Thanks for the support!

Well its a good job that Nakdsalr and Weird Harold jumped to my defence. It looks like I upset Tawny T a little. After all I did say it was only my opinion. But it would seem that Nakdsalr and Weird Harold can see my point.

Again thanks guys for the support!

Masterstern

 

[KillerMuffin]

I really suck at titles. Reaaaaaaallly suck. I have a story that's hit 84 pages, no title in sight. I refer to it by it's characters. Anyway, I'll name it when I'm done with it.

Titles that don't catch my attention:

-Alliterative. Yertle the Turtle. Six Silly Sleeptime Songs. Need I say more? I'm an adult, I have a brain and I don't like to be patronized.

-Names. At least tell me what she did. Jennifer was good, but I didn't read it until I'd seen stuff on the boards about it. Why? Everybody and their brother is named Jennifer and it gives me the impression that Jennifer is run of the mill and not worth the click.

-"Sexy." Just to be sexy or erotic with no substance to them. Like Cocksucking Vamps, Gangbanging Cumsluts, or Seducing the Maid. Okay, yeah, these are better than the previous two, however, they indicate to me that the author lacks imagination. Most readers will probably click on any of those titles because these categories get people off. Maybe that was too subtle. Those "sexy" titles that really are categories for their stories and not really titles? Right. I don't read those either.

No, my titles don't grab the reader and make them want to come and see what's inside. They pretty much reek like last year's rutabaga plant. However, I do know what I don't like, and more importantly, why.

 

[angel_of_merit]

The title and description are vital!

Although I like to think of myself as a free thinking independent woman, who knows what she wants. I too like everyone else can be influenced.

If I am checking through old stories, I am going to be lazy. Because most of the stories are in alphabetical order, I will choose one or two at the begining. Sometimes I might go to the end for a change, but very rarely.

Thats why I think it is brave for authors to submit stories were the title will places it never the end. For example there is a story nominated for best story this year that is titled "Uncertain Feelings". I only found this by checking the end rather than the begining. So hats of to any author who gives their work a title to suit the story, with imagination and regardless of the voting advantage.

Angel of merit

 

[Whispersecret]

Donning my Know it All Bitch Hat

Technically speaking, a story titled, "A Day at the Cathouse," should actually be filed under the Ds. When alphabetizing you disregard the "small words" in a title, like "a" and "the," and alphabetize according to the first "important word" in the title.

I had never thought of titling a story at the beginning of the alphabet in order to garner more readers. Personally, I would never do that. I choose my titles because they fit the story. However, ironically enough, my latest erotic novella is called "The Artifact."

 

[Tawny T]

No, masterstern, you didn't upset me in the least. I had just never seen them in alphabetical order anywhere on this net. I had just never accessed them that way.

But that's why I said "Am I wrong?" Damn, first misteak I ever made in my entire life. Grin!

No, I really didn't know that they came that way. Thanks Wierd Harold also, for setting me straight!

 

[masterstern]

Glad there no hard feelings!

Tawny T

Glad there no hard feelings, I was not trying to be a smart ass or anything! Maybe raising this point will encourage authors at the site to not think about the alphabetic filing system, and just title their work with their imagination!

Masterstern