This is also a reminder ⋅◈⋅

When I started in Wattpad which was a long time ago (I'm not that old though), I get really excited when I'm about to publish my work for the world to see. I would always anticipate the number of reads to go up and I would get happy each time it increases a generous amount. Same goes with the votes. I'd also get excited about the comments because it's feedback.

My first book that I published back when I was in high school didn't grow much in Wattpad. It was a silly crossover I made between two animes that I wasn't able to carry out well. It took years before it reached a hundred reads and there weren't much votes though I am thankful for them.

During this time, what I could have done was maybe ask my friends, cousin friends, and other classmates to read my story and vote but I was too embarrassed and only shared it to only one of my best friends. But what else could I have done?

First off, I should have been more active and I should have went to "Wattpad Help Center" for extra help. (lol)

Really, they have instruction to guide you so you can get your story out there to be known by many people and it would gradually pick up reads, votes, adds to libraries, and more.

Aside from that, I would like to quote this from Wattpad Help Center:

"If you're looking for additional support as a writer, make sure to visit the writer portal for writing resources and programs. Our team is constantly working on additional support for writers and all new resources will be added there."

So check their Help Center if you like.

Many times however, the other solution that many authors (especially new ones) do, is "plugging" or "advertising" their stories in other people's message board, other people's stories in the comment section, and probably private messages.

Please do not do this

Some people may not see it as harmful as long as they "politely" ask people to read their story or add this statement before sharing the link to their story:

"Sorry for plugging/ Sorry for the shameless plugging/ Sorry for advertising/ Permission to post"

Hate to break it to you, but you're wrong.

In this book that I read called "Tips & Tricks to Writing on Wattpad" by JJJiangx (this can be your guide as well if you want to learn and know more. Check it out)

The author wrote, and I quote:

"DO NOT EVER COMMENT ON SOMEONE'S STORY WITH 'please check out my story! {insert link here}' , it is extremely rude. Unless they ask for it in their bio or somewhere else, don't message or comment on their message board, asking them to check out your story either. It will get on people's nerves"

Yup, please don't. Why? There's no dignity in plugging. I'll discuss this later in another chapter.

Besides, there are other ways to promote your story and make it known to many without plugging. What are they?

1. Be active (taken from the same book mentioned but here's my opinion)-

You want people to find your story and remember your name? Update often, interact with your readers in the comments when they comment and be nice and polite.

Adding tags in your story can help your book be found as well but remember that the tags should be relevant to your story. This can work especially with popular words to tag such as fanfiction, fantasy-adventure, teen romance, mental health and other popular tags so your book will appear in the search result.

It takes time for stories to be found so you have to be patient too.

And according to JJJiangx: "Enter the Watty's and other contests" for exposure and also a way to get your name out there that can eventually go around with time.

Before you enter your book for contests though, remember to give it your best shot because you are competing. Edit to the best of your abilities.

2. Hook readers using the cover page of your book and description of your story-

This is where eye-catching book covers and interesting story descriptions step in to your aid. They help you sell your book to potential readers.

Yes, make the effort to create a book cover because it's the first thing that people will see, besides the title.

Yes, you have to add a story description because it's a way to peak your reader's interest, it's something that will reel them in to check out your book. It's like the teaser trailer, but don't reveal the ending (that is, if you've planned it already) or don't make it look predictable or revealing the good stuff, otherwise, readers will scroll past it.

Okay, maybe they'll check it out but if they find anything else that may turn them off, they'll leave the book.
(More on this in next chapter)

3. Announce on your message board and let your followers know-

Authors with lots of followers has this advantage but I don't understand why they still plug. I mean, you've got followers so, is it not enough announcing to them? They follow you for your content and they anticipate for your next story especially when they love your writing so much, right?

Right?

Right, okay.

Yeah, announce to your followers and kindly ask them to suggest or recommend your story to their friends or other fellow wattpaders. They will "advertise" for you, but hopefully they still do it properly, you know, without plugging.

4. If you have many followers on your profile and you have another one that has different people who follow, then promote your story in that other profile-

I'm not sure how it's going to work for some of you but it's a strategy to consider.

So if you have two profiles with different people following each profile, then use that as a chance to promote your stories from either of your profiles. Drop the information where everybody is notified and the news will circulate.

Then be patient.

Bottomline:

> The more often you update your story, readers will know you're active. The more often you update, the more likely it is to appear among the stories to select from or when someone searches a key word or tag or certain genre where your book belongs to. (Wattpad algorithm sometimes) The number of times that people add your story to their library also has an effect to the algorithm, but I won't discuss further into that. I recommend reading "Cracking the Wattpad Code: Insider Secrets the Pros don't want you to know!" by MichaelLimjoco for better discussion about the algorithm stuff if you're interested.

> It also depends on the content of your story. Besides all the technicalities like grammar, spelling, and structure, how you tell the story will be key to making readers want more and remain interested in the content. First step is hooking them through your cover page and story description, then the real challenge lies in what's inside the book.

> Please remember that when you publish your story and you're new and you're scared not to be among the popular or well-known ones, it's okay. Don't let the fear and desperation control you into plugging, or wrongly advertising your story. It will become part of the impression you'll give to other people and they may decide to ignore you because of it.

> Be patient. What's the rush, right? If you've got a good story out there, people are eventually going to find it, love it, recommend it, fan over it. "All good things come to those who wait."

But please don't abandon your book. Be patient in terms of people eventually finding then reading your story while you continue to update responsibly. :)

I myself wanted to shout to people that my profile exists in the community and that I have a story, but I never once thought of using other people's message board or any of their popular stories as a medium to plug. Don't worry, readers will slowly trickle in and people will find you. Usernames and stories go around all the time, and with time, yours will go around too eventually. Trust me, I know.

Hope this helped.

~Zula Romanov~