How the heck to market a story?

[aurifex]

Honestly this is hopeless

 

[Nolff]

Honestly this is hopeless

Up above this comment

 

[Deleted member 84247]

My plan is to do just this - with 11 chaps up front (the "prologue" really - in chapter 11 is where she basically decides what she is gonna try to do) and then release 3x/week from there.

Alright! We solved the problem. Let's do it!

 

[Tyranomaster]

One doesn't make themselves a historically recognized figure. History does that. I guess, unless you decide to do something evil. Those people get recognized.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Mostly because they're tired of how hard I've been trying to push it.

I see... Well, now I have a full picture of what is going on. You are more popular than other fics, but you are still not on those popular or recommended to read lists. You keep advertising your work to the right crowd, but they keep rejecting you. Do you know what this means? It means your story is shite. Git gud my guy.

 

[Tyranomaster]

As an addendum to my previous post, people are already forgetting steve jobs. If they were called jobs computers, maybe he'd have a better chance. People more frequently associate Bill Gates and Alan Turring with the computer than Steve Jobs.

If I had to guess, your story isn't an Alan Turring.
Also, by your own admission, your story quickly deliniates from Ranma lore. Of course Ranma fanfic readers don't want it.

 

[Nolff]

One doesn't make themselves a historically recognized figure. History does that. I guess, unless you decide to do something evil. Those people get recognized.

Aw, man. There's even a quote from my religion's figure!

Where is it...

I forgot who said that, but it goes this way.

"If you want to be famous with no delay, be evil. Hitler's a celebrity at that."

 

[John_Owl]

I'm not mad when people don't tell me what I don't want to hear. I'm mad when they tell me not to bother trying and I'm stupid for thinking there's a prayer. That is not being a supportive, kind or caring community.

I do all of the reader interaction stuff you mentioned and more. Hell, I routinely will gift them merch from the fic.

(and before anybody trolls about that - the merch I do is 100% my original stuff that happens to be in the fic, and I have it marked at 0% markup for everything. I generally only send the link to folks when they ask.)

I haven't read anyone telling you not to bother or to give up. If you read between the lines and find that message, that's on you. I've read everyone trying to be supportive and you shooting them down with hatred and anger and derisive sarcasm. that said, I'm done. You're obviously not willing to accept any help I can offer. I hope you find what you're looking for - that one small fact that will skyrocket you to the heights of fanfic authordom that literally every other author on this site is also looking for.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

carefully

 

[Nolff]

I haven't read anyone telling you not to bother or to give up. If you read between the lines and find that message, that's on you. I've read everyone trying to be supportive and you shooting them down with hatred and anger and derisive sarcasm. that said, I'm done. You're obviously not willing to accept any help I can offer. I hope you find what you're looking for - that one small fact that will skyrocket you to the heights of fanfic authordom that literally every other author on this site is also looking for.

Mama Owl, can I find one too?

 

[Comatoast]

And what about a series of books with 1M words where each one has meaning?

What bothers me is that I truly believe the story *can break out* of the Ranma bubble *without* filing off the serial numbers, if I could get people to give it a chance. And it's maddening that the platforms are *specifically designed* to deny me that opportunity.

I can't even get consistent advice on any one platform.

And what about a series of books with 1M words where each one has meaning?

What bothers me is that I truly believe the story *can break out* of the Ranma bubble *without* filing off the serial numbers, if I could get people to give it a chance. And it's maddening that the platforms are *specifically designed* to deny me that opportunity.

I can't even get consistent advice on any one platform.

I won't give any more marketing advice I'm not qualified for, Considering your book appears to be very popular and I can only take someone as far as I have gone.

As far as the nature of advice, Advice is always going to be personal opinion. This community is filled with wonderful people who I believe would love to encourage you to write.
However to expect all their advice to be consistent would be an unfair assumption.

The disagreement and personal tastes shouldn't come off as "Inconclusive" and therefore give reason to write the advice off. (Pun intended)
Instead it should come as a fresh breath of insight from a group of readers that you might not have considered.

 

[Nolff]

I won't give any more marketing advice I'm not qualified for, Considering your book appears to be very popular and I can only take someone as far as I have gone.

As far as the nature of advice, Advice is always going to be personal opinion. This community is filled with wonderful people who I believe would love to encourage you to write.
However to expect all their advice to be consistent would be an unfair assumption.

The disagreement and personal tastes shouldn't come off as "Inconclusive" and therefore give reason to write the advice off. (Pun intended)
Instead it should come as a fresh breath of insight from a group of readers that you might not have considered.

Where have you been all this time, bud?

Seriously, you'd be in every debate thread if you joined this site sooner.

 

[Comatoast]

As an addition to that post, Rather than blaming the algorithm to find readers with similar interests, Have you considered that you might have actually hit the peak of the niche you've found?

Think of readers like a well. There's only so many you can get before it begins to run dry. Running a fanfic is already relatively niche but appealing to genderswap gets even smaller.

 

[John_Owl]

Mama Owl, can I find one too?

Mama? I'm a guy lol.

But as soon as I find it, I'll gladly share it. so far, I've only discovered "Decide if you'd rather have fame or a story you are proud of. If you want fame, follow the trends. if you want to be proud, write your own will."

 

[Nolff]

Mama? I'm a guy lol.

But as soon as I find it, I'll gladly share it. so far, I've only discovered "Decide if you'd rather have fame or a story you are proud of. If you want fame, follow the trends. if you want to be proud, write your own will."

Your pfp doesn't match your gender.

I feel betrayed.

 

[Comatoast]

Where have you been all this time, bud?

Seriously, you'd be in every debate thread if you joined this site sooner.

I'm a bit confused by this, Why would I be in every debate thread had I joined earlier exactly? Sorry if I'm a bit slow ?

 

[Nolff]

I'm a bit confused by this, Why would I be in every debate thread had I joined earlier exactly? Sorry if I'm a bit slow ?

Oh hoho, let me elaborate with you for a moment.

You see, a thread like this could appear once in a week, heating the site for an unknown amount of time.

This is an example of it.

"Posted by ThatTwat3000

I mark this profile as the origin of the “Hopper Incident.”

Start: https://forum.scribblehub.com/threads/just-got-my-first-one-star-rating.19128/post-447144
Debate: https://forum.scribblehub.com/threads/got-1-star-because-of-a-comment-in-forum.19131/
Aftermath: https://forum.scribblehub.com/threa...on-and-banning-process-works-or-doesnt.19134/
"

 

[John_Owl]

Your pfp doesn't match your gender.

I feel betrayed.

View attachment 31671

It's a custom art. A male angel inspired by Ghibli art style. But my alias here is John Owl, so...

 

[AnneOminous]

Mama? I'm a guy lol.

But as soon as I find it, I'll gladly share it. so far, I've only discovered "Decide if you'd rather have fame or a story you are proud of. If you want fame, follow the trends. if you want to be proud, write your own will."

Oh, this thread has well established they don't care about gender.

As an addition to that post, Rather than blaming the algorithm to find readers with similar interests, Have you considered that you might have actually hit the peak of the niche you've found?

Think of readers like a well. There's only so many you can get before it begins to run dry. Running a fanfic is already relatively niche but appealing to genderswap gets even smaller.

Which is why I am trying to determine if a) I really am at bottom, and b) if there is a way to drill sideways into a bigger well.

 

[Nolff]

It's a custom art. A male angel inspired by Ghibli art style. But my alias here is John Owl, so...

THAT'S MALE????!

THAT DON'T EVEN RESEMBLE MAN IN A SINGLE WAY!!

Oh, this thread has well established they don't care about gender.

Which is why I am trying to determine if a) I really am at bottom, and b) if there is a way to drill sideways into a bigger well.

Look man, what you need is patience. You'll end up burning your mind and prolly decrease your health.

Remember, too much is dangerous. You can't swallow more than what you can chew.