To be (read) or not to be---

[MarieWriter]

OK, I have a question--

I'm still rather new, and getting used to all of this so fellow writers- Please tell me this, or give me an idea if you can because I'm very curious about something:

Once your story moves beyond the "new" new section how do you get it read?

I guess with all these stories coming along it kind of fades away, so I was wondering if anyone had tricks or ideas they would share.

Other than asking for feedback when I first put it up, I've done nothing and I'm content, just wondering if there is something people do to get more readers...

Hope this doesn't sound to conceited.

 

[TxRad]

OK, I have a question--

I'm still rather new, and getting used to all of this so fellow writers- Please tell me this, or give me an idea if you can because I'm very curious about something:

Once your story moves beyond the "new" new section how do you get it read?

I guess with all these stories coming along it kind of fades away, so I was wondering if anyone had tricks or ideas they would share.

Other than asking for feedback when I first put it up, I've done nothing and I'm content, just wondering if there is something people do to get more readers...

Hope this doesn't sound to conceited.

Some people use a blog or a FB page under their authors name.

Other than the feedback forum there is not much on Lit. Being on a top list helps as does having a high enough score to get mentioned on the recent popular and popular authors sections of the story pages.

ETA sometimes the similar stories tags will spit out your story.

 

[GobletHolly182]

If someone leaves a comment on one of my stories and I see that they've posted stories of their own, I read and leave a comment on at least one of theirs. Not everyone returns comments, of course, but you could try that.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Writing another story so as to keep yourself in the new stories list helps.

Not that I do that on purpose, mind-- but on the rare occasions I post something new, my other stories get a bunch of new reads.

 

[Brunne]

I've done some watching and lurking, and I've seen a few of these things and tried a few myself:

- Write regularly - readers will come back and find you/favourite you if they know there will be more coming their way

- Post longer pieces in chapters - again, regularly and consistently as this keeps up reader momentum. Second stories and second chapters will draw readers back to initial ones posted. You will also often find that readers will only commit to a story when they know you've finished it!

- Respond to comments/feedback and develop relationships with your readers to encourage them to keep coming back and telling their friends

- Social media - I don't do this, but many folks have various social media outlets such as twitter, facebook, blogs, websites to keep readers engaged and updated


This is by no means exhaustive, but just stuff I've noticed - hope that helps

 

[MarieWriter]

Thanks

It all helps and gives me some guidelines, Except this one:

Some people use a blog or a FB page under their authors name.

LOL My authors name, well first name anyway, is my real name and my FB page is me. LOL

I have a lot to learn... And to think, I'm already 50, well, 51 now but who counts anymore...

Thank you all.

--Marie

 

[soflabbwlvr]

Some other things you can do include:

--Add a link to you story in your forum signature

--Post a link to the story in the Story Feedback Forum's New Story Advertisements thread

--Ask for feedback in the Story Feedback Forum

None of these will generate a huge number of views, but they will get you a few. For the most part, after about 4-5 days the views drop off significantly, unless your story is in the top list for that category.

Good luck

 

[oggbashan]

And enter the themed contests.

An entry into the themed contests - The Summer Lovin' Contest is now on - gets your name listed for about a month.

Apart from the contest entry, IF people like what they have read, your other stories are likely to get noticed too.

 

[emap]

Certain categories get tons of reads and others don't. Once you go past the new story section those are the only sections that will give you big readers. Nonconsent, incest, first time, and oddly enough erotic couplings are the big readers.

Loving wives has fairly good reader base, but most won't say anything or swear at you. This is because while they want the wife to cheat on her husband and get pregnant with someone elses child, they feel guilty about it.

If you want lots of readers, post to those. If you want lots of hate mail post to loving wives. If you just want to post the stuff you come up with, post to whatever fits like I do.

 

[sun_sea_sky]

I've been keeping tally of read counts (for me) over the last month or so. I get an initial large number of readers while the story is in the new list. After that the reads tend to creep up slowly. In Erotic Couplings, and Exhibitionist & Voyeur they are going up around 80 a day.

I suggest posting more stories, as the others have said. Once someone reads something they like they are likely to try one or more of your other ones.

Also I find that if you read other people's stories, and comment on them, they may return the favour by reading your own story and commenting back.

 

[sun_sea_sky]

My entry in the Summer Lovin competition now has more views than any other of my stories. And it has only been there for about 4 days. Nor does it have a particularly good score. Not sure if it is just a bad story (quite possibly) or if I got up a few people's noses and got 1-bombed (also possible).

 

[nicecthulhu]

And enter the themed contests.

An entry into the themed contests - The Summer Lovin' Contest is now on - gets your name listed for about a month.

This (entering a contest) seemed to work very well for me. Although the score for the contest entry is a little lower than some of my other stories. Maybe it's not as well-liked, or maybe it was read by people who prefer a different style (or 1-bombed). Those that like your story and style may check out your other submissions.
Also, be patient and allow your readership to grow. Maybe write stories in different genres, if they interest you. It seems as if at least some of the readers are not fixated on only one category.
I've found a boost in reads (views?), comments and favourites following the one contest I entered so far. Also, it often seems that someone will read one story and then check out some of the others I've written.
Lastly, read the sage advice posted in the threads by many of the more experienced writers. I have learned so much just reading answers to posts and such...well, I hope I've learned something...

 

[desertslave]

Writing another story so as to keep yourself in the new stories list helps.

Not that I do that on purpose, mind-- but on the rare occasions I post something new, my other stories get a bunch of new reads.

Yup, this! Reads, and even some new votes. I have them trickling in on stories that are 4 years old.