Obviously Titles Make a Big Difference

[LadyJane]

Wow, didn't realize titles made such a big difference in how many people view your story! I just posted a BDSM story titled "Shipwrecked Into Slavery, " and this story in two days already has almost as many votes as two stories I wrote three months ago and more views than any story I've posted thus far. I can't really determine a reason for that other than the title (or perhaps timing? maybe there are fewer new BDSM stories right now?). It's ironic to me because I don't think this story is as hot or as well written as the three parts in my BDSM series At His Pleasure. Maybe At His Pleasure just sounds tame or something! I just kind of whipped out Shipwrecked in one afternoon. It's receiving about the same response in the voting area as my others - in the 4.6 range. The third part of At His Pleasure is very erotic (if I may pat myself on the back here) and the voting reflected that for a while until I was "oned."

Anyone else notice that your stories with catchier titles get more attention, even if they're not as good as others? Hmmm, I'm going to have to put more thought into future titles...

 

[whispering_surrender]

I would actually go one step further to mention the one to one and half line "blurb" combined with the title.

I cleaned the car seats, so I had some extra two cents to throw around.

Whisper

 

[English Lady]

I think titles probably do play a part..as I steer well clear of a story if it has an old worn title or if the little bit of blurb really doesn't do it for me. Maybe i miss some good stories that way,but we've got to decide what to read somehow!


Also I have noticed seasons for stories...lots of exhibitionist/voyeur ones in summer for example when everyone's stripped down to next to nothing anyway*L*


I am so bad at titles...I get hubby to think mine up for me! The only one I made up that I quite like is "An unorthodox excercise" because it's a slightly misleading title but I like the sound of it anyways*L*

 

[Guest]

 

[LadyJane]

Should've called "At His Pleasure" "Fucked for Father" instead. Yee ha.

 

[pop_54]

Hmmmmmm

I always try to keep the titles short and sweet, but with just a little more than a hint of the story genre or content. I very rarely include any blurb at the beginning, and my little quirk, a lot of my stories begin with a line of dialogue.

I only have about 8 posted here, most experiments of one kind or other for my benefit and guage reaction/voting.

I do have quite a number of tales posted about the web, some a little extreme for lit.

 

[Guest]

Re: Hmmmmmm

I do have quite a number of tales posted about the web, some a little extreme for lit.

Popsy, do you mean you've posted our correspondence?

Perdita

 

[sirhugs]

This is the subject of a very good submission on the story side:

How To Get People To Read your Story by Whispersecret

the description line reads: " the importance of a good title"

I highly recommend it.

 

[gauchecritic]

I think you're maybe misjudging the side-effect of 'whipping it out' [your entendre not mine]

Perhaps you're over-editing the 'worked' pieces. As has been said a number of times in many threads; lots of Lit visitors (or is that voyuers?) read for the hand-shandiness of a tale rather than for 'a story'. 'Whipping it out' suggests to me an immediacy and roughness unnatainable in a bespoke 'worthy' piece of literature.

Or maybe I don't have the first clue, about that of which I speak.

Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.

Or do I?

Gauche

 

[Guest]

Or maybe I don't have the first clue, about that of which I speak.

Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.

Or do I?

erm. . . , uhm. . . , Gauche:
Are you talking to yourself? i.e., in public?

no reply necessary, Perdita

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Your title and blurb are all you have to get your story to stand out once it leaves the new category. Surrounded by a page full of sumissions on the same subject only a red H, green E or blue W will do more for your story than an catchy title and interesting blurb.

I think titles and blurbs are probably some of the most important writing you do on a story. They are the eye catchers that get your story noticed.


-Colly

 

[pop_54]

Re: Re: Hmmmmmm

Popsy, do you mean you've posted our correspondence?

Perdita

Oops!!! Purdy's cottoned on, now I'm for it

Hey son, what have you done to your head??

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: Re: Hmmmmmm

Oops!!! Purdy's cottoned on, now I'm for it

Hey son, what have you done to your head??

Just worry about your own head, you old sweetie. C'mere, I'll give you head.

Perdita

 

[gauchecritic]

Re: Re: Re: Hmmmmmm

Hey son, what have you done to your head??

Well, you know that pumpkin pie you were going to have mum make? erm...

Gauche

 

[pop_54]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Hmmmmmm

Just worry about your own head, you old sweetie. C'mere, I'll give you head.

Perdita

GULP!! Cumming dear

 

[gauchecritic]

erm. . . , uhm. . . , Gauche:
Are you talking to yourself? i.e., in public?

Perdita

Finally. I've outsubtled myself. Even Purr didn't get that one.

Gauche

 

[LorriLove]

giggle

now where's that pumpkin got to?????

 

[pop_54]

Re: giggle

now where's that pumpkin got to?????

I think the boy's playing with it Lorri Hello dear how are you tonight

 

[LorriLove]

hiya

hiya you old pirate, fine thank you

 

[Guest]

Finally. I've outsubtled myself. Even Purr didn't get that one.

Went back to reread your gaucheness; as Lou remarked recently - the penney just dropped.

Must go hone my reading skills anon, Purr

 

[raphy]

Titles are good. I love stories with catchy titles. That's why I called my latest one "Well, Goddamn".. Had a lot of good feedback about the title alone, actually.

 

[MathGirl]

Originally posted by Colleen Thomas Your title and blurb are all you have to get your story to stand out

Dear Col,
I quite agree. A story entitled "My First Kiss" would not stand much of a chance in the Anal Sex category. The same story entitled "Harriet Gets It Up the Butt for the First Time" would obviously be better received.
MG

 

[Guest]

Maths, I think your how-to piece, "Pussy Shaving 101", is not only aptly titled but most likely comes across as a must-read (even for those who do not shave). Isn't it one of your most popular pieces?

I, however, greatly misnamed my H'ween story, for attention that is.

Perdita

 

[Icingsugar]

Since i'm not whoring for the ultimate amount of views, I'm more into wrtiting a title that is clever enough so that people, after reading the story, goes "Hey, that was a cool title."

What I really hate is to have to put titles on my poems. Dunno why, but I always seems to get it wrong.

 

[MathGirl]

Maths, I think your how-to piece, "Pussy Shaving 101", is not only aptly titled but most likely comes across as a must-read (even for those who do not shave). Isn't it one of your most popular pieces?

Dear Perdita,
I wrote that thing months ago, and I still get feedback daily.
Nothing very original about the title; just describes the subject. For an essay, I think that's best.
MG
Ps. The essay I wrote about a hippo bee emm probably should have had a catchier title than "At the Zoo."