The Help Book - Basic Wattpad Tips

How and why to support other writers

In this chapter we'll talk about the benefits of supporting a writer; benefits for them and for you.

 

How to support your favorite author?

This one is easy: by following them, voting and commenting on their stories, sharing links to their books, recommending them to your friends... Even something as simple as adding their work to your reading list can help. How?

When you add a story to your reading, other people – your own followers or simply a random person checking your profile – can see it there. The same goes for voting and commenting - people who look at your profile see that you liked a story or that you left your opinion on it and they get curious about it, perhaps enough to check it out.

Apart from verbally recommending a book to your friends or sharing a link on facebook, twitter and tumblr, you can also give a story a shout out. What is that? That means that you send a message to your followers and recommend the story to them; tell them the name of the work, who the author is and give a link. Some people also say why they enjoy the story. Of course, you can recommend the writer and all his work not only one story or series.

Another way to help the writer advertize a story is by writing something like "I'm reading *name of story* by *author*; it's really good so check it out" as your status.

You have a blog? Great! Say how much you enjoy what you are reading and give a link to it. Not only will that aid your favorite creator but you might get a larger audience on your blog by finding like-minded friends.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Apart from helping your favorite author and earning their gratitude, you might even become friends with them or some of their fans. You'll also help other readers find new stories to fall in love with.

When you are not only a reader, but also a writer, there are even more benefits for you.

Showing your supportto a writer by voting and commenting – and I mean useful, honest comments, not just "love it" and "update" (although those are also appreciated)– would make them take interest in you in turn and maybe they'd give your stories a try.  So what do you gain that way? Besides reads; that one is obvious.

1. The author might comment and will probably give you some useful advice on how to improve. Their fans will see them commenting and might check your story. So that's feedback and publicity.

2. You might get a vote from that author. Their fans will see the vote and might check out your story, so more publicity for you.

3. You might get that author to add your story to their reading lists. Again, their fans will see that and might check your work.

4. You might get a dedication from that author as a thank you for all the support (giving useful feedback, reads, votes, shout out, etc.). And guess what that would do? That's right! Their fans might check out what you've written.

5. And perhaps the most important: the author might like your work so much as to give it a shout out. In that case, you are most likely to get their followers to check your stories.

Technically, every positive interaction you have with another writer could lead to their fanbase becoming yours.

So now to sum up the chapter.

Benefits for the author:

1. You help advertize their work;

2. You help them build up their self-esteem;

3. You just might turn into their new muse.

Benefits for you:

1. You get in touch with the author;

2. You make new friends – the author and/or their fans;

3. You help other readers find new stories – be proud of that;

4. Interacting with other writers and their fans helps popularize your own work.

Just NEVER, EVER POST LINKS TO YOUR STORIES IN THE COMMENT SECTION TO ANOTHER PERSON'S STORY, nor write "please read my story" there!

It's one of the rudest things you can do. It makes you seem arrogant, selfish, desperate or all of those. It will ward off potential readers, not to mention anger the author to that story who will have the right to report you for spam.

Also, don't message, saying any variation of "I love your work; check out mine?" when you've never had any previous interaction with that person. It sounds like "yeah, you don't know me and I don't know you, but I want more reads on my books so I'll just tell you I love yours and expect you to check out mine". The same goes for writing a comment and/or voting on a single chapter and then declaring your love for all of the work of that author and sending them a reading request. And speaking of those – always check if a person accepts read requests before you ask them to take a peek or give you feedback on what you've created.

But you are generally interested in the author? Then what are you waiting for?

PM your favorite or write on their message board. Tell them how much you enjoy their work. And don't forget to leave a comment on it and give them feedback. Every person who wants to improve will be grateful to you for that.

Next chapter: time to talk about YOUR stories. I'll write about how to post your first book, add new parts/chapters to it, add a summary and upload a cover. I'll also include how to make or obtain a cover or banner. Trailers are trickier as they are harder to make but I'll post a link to where you might find people willing to create one for you.