I'm not going to offer you any view tricks or any promotion sites you can go to or how to trick the algorithm. No. What I'm going to tell you is something both simple and complicated.
* Vital Thing 1 *
In order for people to recognise your username on Wattpad, you need to socialize. A LOT.
You might go: "But Laia YOU aren't popular on Wattpad."
1. That's because I haven't been trying and I have my own reasons for that. I chose to take a break, and did zero marketing for a while, and before that I did it wrongly, of course I'm not popular.
2. Whether or not you actually listen to this, is your choice.
3. I am not telling you how to get 1M followers. I'm teaching you the fundamental basics to building a reliable following group.
What's also important to remember that one thing leads to another. You might have 30 followers now, but if you continue the good work and keep improving, then you will eventually reach 100 and from 100 to 500 etc.
If you don't give up and work hard for however long it takes— months, years, decades even— for something you are truly passionate about, then the truth is that you are going to make it. But few people truly have the strength of will to do that, and that's why only a few people succeed.
"But Laia, what do you mean by socialising?"
Things may get quite blurry here for some. In your head I mean. (Wait, that sounded kind of wrong.)
You see when I say socialize—do not groan, this is part of the job— I mean, you must talk to people. A lot. You must talk to everyone! And if an argument occurs, you must remain professional. [For anyone interested, I have an article posted on my blog, "Reading, Writing, Living" (temporary title) about how to handle criticism (& hate)! (More info at the end of this post.) Yay. #I'mDeadInside]
>>
You must comment, you must offer feedback, you must be supportive and nice, you must interact with everyone so much to the point of appearing everywhere and having people say to you: "OMG you are everywhere!" LOL, be a stable figure in their life, John/Susan. You need them.
* Which leads to point & Vital Thing 2! *
You must care. Genuinely. Dude, you shouldn't go around exploiting people (I mean, duh). You can't just talk to someone and a second later ask them: "Hey, I know this might come off as rude and everything, but could you please check out my work? I would really appreciate it." Or even worse: "Hey, check out my story." Unless it's your mum you are asking, reading requests NEVER work. People find them extremely annoying because they know it's not something personal, that you are just looking for more readers. They know.
Reading. Requests. Never. Work.
Process this. Okay. Moving on.
You can't just cozy up to a popular graphic designer only to ask for a graphic just like you can't cozy up to a popular writer just because they are popular.
Oh, things here become VERY incredibly blurry.
You see, everyone is a potential friend. Think of this. Good. Every single one of them is an actual person. And when you talk to them, you should talk to them because you are genuinely interested in them and are looking for friends (or really just to socialize). You should show the same interest to a person with 3 followers and to a person with 3K. All right?
"But Laia this is a play of the words really. Pff 'everyone is a potential friends'."
I disagree, but I can see why you would think that. Yes, the line here is thin. But there is a difference between talking to someone because you care and talking to someone because you want to use them. Being genuinely interested and caring is key. It shows. People can see it. Unless you are a master manipulator in which case, wow.
I am not saying manipulating people wouldn't work. If you are good at it, then it would work very, very well. (Most people aren't good at it and that's why they fail.) But it's unethical.
So maybe in conclusion I'm telling you not to be bad? Huh.
Bottom line is: Care. Oh, and don't use people. It's not nice and the majority of you will fail. Just go the noble way and it could work just the same.
Oh, and pro tip? If you are interested in publishing, build a following audience outside of Wattpad as well. Trust me on this.
XoXo
Laia
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If you liked my advice, I recommend checking out my WordReference blog "Reading, Writing, Living"! It will contain writing advice/exercises, book reviews/recommendations (+ some movie reviews/recs.), monthly writer journal entries and more! @bookwolflaia (laialkblogs)
How to Handle Criticism (& Hate) is currently up! (07/12/17)
On my Tumblr I post daily writer journal entries where you can get updated on my writer journey. I'm also reposting/posting some writer/reader advice posts in between as well! @laialkblogs
On my message board right here on Wattpad I do several things as well! @LaiaLK
• On Mondays I post a short piece of advice around 100-200 words and a bad joke. #JokeOfAnAdviceByLaia
• We have #FollowFriday
WattpadEdition where I recommend people to follow!
• #SundayThanks where I shout out any recent followers with a short message for each! (Who knows, maybe you will be mentioned. 😉)
• Every Thursday I post writing games (sometimes with prizes even 😉).
• I do surprise posts as well!
In case you miss you miss a post, all the posts are archived at the last section of my Updates book on Wattpad where I post updates (stories, life etc.) for my followers!
(When you realize your update book has a typo in its cover... *extras) (I will fix it I promise! XD)
I also have a Bookstagram*gasp* where you can gaze at aesthetic book photos all day long! And if Inotice and like your account, chances are you are a getting a shout out on mystory! 🎉@bookwolf.laia_writes
On Twitter I post daily writing prompts/kicks in the butt and TBH it's kinda like a journal for everyone to empty their life struggles at so you should see a lot of writing related things there. Oh yeah. I also keep reposting puppy pictures. 🙈 #SorryNotSorry @laia_lk
On my Facebook page I mostly post news and writing updates, but if you are interested it's Laia L.K.!
S T O R Y
|| COMING SOONER OR LATER ||
A FAIRYTALE told by a different sort of cackling witch; full of corrupted GODS with MORTAL flaws, POWER GAMES that might prove to be RUINATION or your ticket to VICTORY... And the STORY of a young woman's JOURNEY to figuring out what ROLE she is due to PLAY:
GRANDMASTER...
Or PAWN.
"Interested? Add ZORA* to your library and #TBR list to receive updates of the upcoming story! A notification will be send to let you know when it's up!"
*ZORA is a temporary title until I have thought of a more fitting one. ☺ (07/14/17)
A B O U T M E:
I'm actually a fairy-witch hybrid although sometimes I look like a zombie. Tea flows through my veins and my blood (aka tea) is actually a blue-pink colour mix! I have been trying to put an end to the Procrastination for years and I will continue to do as such! *cue it's been 84 years meme* I like to draw, tell stories and take aesthetic photos of books!
(My actual aspiration in life.)
I'm a Slytherclawgryffinpuff. Yeah, I know. *cries* I have main house elements that strongly define me as a person from all of them. If I had to choose a House, I would choose Gryffindor even though I have always been meh about it (I honestly don't know why *grimaces*) because I really want to be brave in life. After all, isn't it all about the choices we make? Nonetheless, I shall protect all Hogwart Houses and buy all merch! *raises fist to the sky*
I like twisted characters the most (e.g. Cersei) and some people don't get it and think I'm a psycho.
Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Teen Wolf (& Stranger Things) is life and Newt Scamander is a cinnamon roll.
Friends, Bing Bang Theory (How I Met Your Mother sometimes) always make my mood. Used to watch Two & a Half Men as well.
DanielHowell and AmazingPhil are the best.
G I V E A W A Y
I'm participating in the Wattpad Block Party giveaway! "LaiaLK will giveaway writing advice on any topic you wish to discuss & potentially her next post's topic on her upcoming blog (if it's chosen you will receive a shout out there), and a shout out on all her social media accounts (Bookstagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr) + Wattpad to one lucky winner! Her giveaway is open internationally."
Happy reading! I hope you have fun at the Wattpad Block Party and that the monster under your bed doesn't kill you.
Tootles!
P.S. Creating an image of yourself, providing stable content, seeking the right sort of audience etc, play a role in marketing as well, but I won't go into too much detail.
P.P.S. The monster likescookies the most. Be friends.
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Enter the #WattpadBlockParty Giveaways for Your Chance to Win Amazon Gift Cards, Signed Paperbacks, E-Books, Shoutouts from Your Favorite Wattpad Authors, and Much More!
Link: https://goo.gl/2x2anC