Given the huge number of recent first-time AARs that have been started recently, I thought I'd take a moment to remind you "AAR virgins" a few things that have been discussed here and there, and some trends that came up during one or two of the surveys I conducted...
Don't get discouraged by the initial lack of response to a new thread. As I've said, there are a ton of new AARs getting under way right now, both by "virgins" and by "established" writers. It takes people a while to get around to reading them, and many people will wait until there's some evidence of continued activity on them before they begin to get interested. Just plug away for your first half-dozen or so posts and you'll start to build some interest.
Even if you're getting views, you may not start to get responses until you've written a couple of instalments. Don't panic!
Don't forget to give me a link in the "Monthly Update" sticky at the top of the forum. Not only does it help me to keep the LibrAARy up to date, but it is also pretty much a guaranteed way to get me to read it. Other people might also have a look up there every now and then to see what they might have been missing.
When someone does comment in your thread, it's generally considered "good form" to acknoledge it. LD's a master at this...just check out any of his threads (e.g. *plug* "Portugal, the Director's Cut: *plug*).
Another way to increase your readership and solicit responses to your work is to go and read and comment on other people's work. This is a sort of "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" kind of thing. Keep in mind that if they're reading and commenting in yours, it would be polite to return the favour. You might need to give them a bit of time, but almost all of them will get around to reading your AAR and some of them will comment.
If you're trying this approach, make sure you're not spamming. If you can ask the odd question, or point out something you like, this is better than a quick "I'm reading". On the other hand, most authors are thrilled just to get an emoticon, so don't feel like you have to go overboard.
People like to read stuff that is reasonably well formatted. As an example, while I'm writing this post I'm trying to keep the paragraphs fairly short, and I'm putting an extra empty line space between each paragraph to further separate them. This makes it easier on an older pair of eyes (e.g. LD
).
People like screenies and the occasional picture so if you can provide them, do so. Don't go too far overboard, though. If you're curious as to how to do them, check the AARtiFAQs sticky for several very handy links to "how to" threads.
That's all that springs to mind right now, but other people may have some comments about this.
Don't get discouraged by the initial lack of response to a new thread. As I've said, there are a ton of new AARs getting under way right now, both by "virgins" and by "established" writers. It takes people a while to get around to reading them, and many people will wait until there's some evidence of continued activity on them before they begin to get interested. Just plug away for your first half-dozen or so posts and you'll start to build some interest.
Even if you're getting views, you may not start to get responses until you've written a couple of instalments. Don't panic!
Don't forget to give me a link in the "Monthly Update" sticky at the top of the forum. Not only does it help me to keep the LibrAARy up to date, but it is also pretty much a guaranteed way to get me to read it. Other people might also have a look up there every now and then to see what they might have been missing.
When someone does comment in your thread, it's generally considered "good form" to acknoledge it. LD's a master at this...just check out any of his threads (e.g. *plug* "Portugal, the Director's Cut: *plug*).
Another way to increase your readership and solicit responses to your work is to go and read and comment on other people's work. This is a sort of "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" kind of thing. Keep in mind that if they're reading and commenting in yours, it would be polite to return the favour. You might need to give them a bit of time, but almost all of them will get around to reading your AAR and some of them will comment.
If you're trying this approach, make sure you're not spamming. If you can ask the odd question, or point out something you like, this is better than a quick "I'm reading". On the other hand, most authors are thrilled just to get an emoticon, so don't feel like you have to go overboard.
People like to read stuff that is reasonably well formatted. As an example, while I'm writing this post I'm trying to keep the paragraphs fairly short, and I'm putting an extra empty line space between each paragraph to further separate them. This makes it easier on an older pair of eyes (e.g. LD
).People like screenies and the occasional picture so if you can provide them, do so. Don't go too far overboard, though. If you're curious as to how to do them, check the AARtiFAQs sticky for several very handy links to "how to" threads.
That's all that springs to mind right now, but other people may have some comments about this.
