Survivor's Guide to the Wattpad Jungle | ✔️

How do I get more votes & [valuable] comments?

I've been on Wattpad long enough to know how much votes and comments mean to writers. More so comments. As much as we'd hate to admit it, they do a lot for our psych in writing the story. We feel that our story is worth the reads and comments.

And unfortunately, to a certain extent, it is.

In the beginning, there's always a struggle. Your reads are climbing, but you don't know who on earth is even reading your story because they're not even leaving a vote.

And, as you go up, votes start dropping in. But still, no one's commenting. What do they think of it? Is it good enough? Are they enjoying it?

It's the most frustrating thing when readers don't leave any comment whatsoever. I also reckon that it's annoying when, if they do, all they say is "UPDATE PLEASE!" It can be really agitating for the writer. Along the way, I've seen a few methods that work in getting readers to comment.

1. Leave an A/N at the end

Quite a few authors tend to leave one at the beginning of the story, but it's not as effective as leaving one at the end. This is because the reader will forget what the author's note said when they're at the end of the chapter. So, instead, write your A/N's at the very end.

What you say in these notes is very important. You need to encourage your readers to vote and comment, but you don't want to sound to harsh or too needy.

Something simple like,

Don't forget to vote and comment!

Is enough to get them to do either of the two.

Don't threaten your readers. Don't tell them your targets or goals. NEVER say something like:

I'll only update when I get 243 votes and 67 comments!

That is a NO-NO. It's rude, it's rude, it's so rude. Don't do that.

2. Be fun and funny

Readers like it when authors they like turn out to be pretty chilled and relatable human beings. It encourages them to befriend the writer. So, try and reveal a little bit of your fun (or funny) self in your author's notes. For instance,

Don't forget to Vomment!

Yuck. That's a terrible ship name omg it sounds like vomit omg ewwww

Vote and comment though :P

Using smileys and just fun (for lack of a better word) language really gets the reader going. I'd definitely comment a "lol" on that!

In doing this, you remind your readers that you're only human. They'll get very excited in getting to talk to you!

Once in a while, you can even share something that happened to you.

So guys, some cute boy came up to me today and asked for my number err ma geee!

Sharing little perseonal stories helps. Don't make them too long, though. Furthermore, don't do it in excess because it may get to a point that the readers won't focus on the story so much. Rather, they'll enjoy your personal life better. That's not what we want, though.

3. Interact with the readers

Well, I'm not a fan of author's who ask "What do you think will happen?" because I know they're taking the mickey, but it actually does encourage readers to comment a lot. Interactive questions, preferably that are based on the book, will get the readers thinking about it. And that's what you want. You want them to think about your book.

What did you think?

Are you happy with Wendy's decision?

Has anything like this every happened to you?

These are but a few questions you can ask, and hopefully they'll reply.

4. Reply to comments

Try and reply to your readers because again, this shows them that you're down-to-earth and have time to see and value what they have to say. As your readers grow, you don't have to reply to all of the comments, but try and reply to the ones you value a lot. In this way, your readers will be encouraged to comment more knowing that you see them.

5. Give out dedications to your fave comments

Don't go right out and say, "I'm giving dedications to the best comments!" Like don't do that. Ew. 

Instead, what you should do is: on the next chapter, say, "I'm dedicating this chapter to Insert_User_Here because their comment on the last chapter was very funny and thoughtful!" That way, it will provide as motivation for the other readers to get a dedication.

6. Let your readers know that you value good comments

Hey guys, hope you enjoyed this chapter! I just wanted to let you know that I really, really appreciate it when you leave well thought-out comments because they help me improve my writing! So keep it up :)

Being positive helps. So keep up the smiles and show appreciation to them!

Don't forget to vote and comment ;)

:D

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