Secrets to Becoming Famous on Wattpad

Wattpad, a platform enabling individuals to read and share their stories at no cost, has birthed numerous renowned authors. While many indulge in writing for sheer enjoyment, some have risen to fame and even landed book deals! To shine on Wattpad, craft compelling narratives, maintain a consistent publishing schedule, utilize tags effectively, and actively engage with the community.

Select the right genre for your narrative. Your chosen genre will shape your characters and plot. Opt for a genre that aligns with your interests and expertise. For example, delve into horror or science fiction if you're drawn to the mysterious and unconventional.

• Romance and fan fiction are immensely popular genres on Wattpad, offering vast reader appeal.

Develop character profiles. Crafting detailed character profiles aids in the creation of robust and lifelike characters. Start by profiling your protagonist, detailing their appearance, personality, aspirations, and past experiences. Extend this process to your supporting characters to enrich your story.

• While not all profile details may appear in your story, comprehensive character knowledge facilitates smoother writing.

Outline your plot. Define the basic plot structure, whether fully plotted or as a starting point to evolve during writing. Consider key questions your story should answer, akin to the themes explored in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

• Begin with a simple plot outline and refine it as you progress.

Write your initial draft. Focus on laying down the foundation of your story without fixating on perfection. Introduce your characters and outline the key events of your narrative, without dwelling on grammar or spelling errors.

• Wattpad stories vary in length, so aim to tell your story concisely without unnecessary padding.

Revise and edit your manuscript. Carefully review your draft, rectifying grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Seek feedback from friends and family to refine your revisions and enhance the coherence of your story.

• Iteratively improve your story by incorporating additional character depth, context, and subplots as necessary.

Finalize your draft. Iterate through edits until your story feels complete, ensuring a well-rounded narrative structure with engaging chapters. Polish your manuscript to eliminate any lingering grammatical or spelling issues, striving for a polished and professional final product.

Choose a captivating profile picture. Opt for an image that mirrors your writing style. For instance, for horror fiction, select something eerie and dark, while for romance, opt for a dreamy or whimsical image. Ensure the image is of high quality with crisp resolution.

• Your profile picture doesn’t have to be a portrait; it can be any intriguing image you've captured!

Craft an enticing profile description. Treat your profile description like a compelling cover letter. Keep it brief yet captivating to draw readers in. Don’t forget to sprinkle in some intriguing facts about yourself.

• For example, you might write something like, 'I’m a part-time writer and full-time dreamer, delving into reveries, hallucinations, nightmares, and visions. By day, I'm a psychology student at Berkeley.'

Design eye-catching, high-quality covers for your stories. A captivating cover can attract readers just like an appealing book cover does. Opt for bold colors and striking imagery that reflects key elements of your story without giving away too much.

• If you have artistically talented friends, consider asking them to design a cover for your story and be sure to credit them on your profile.
• You can find high-resolution stock photos on platforms like Pexels and Shutterstock, though many require payment. However, the investment may be worthwhile.
• Pay attention to the font selection for your cover. The font style and color should complement the tone of your book and make the title stand out. For instance, a humorous or youthful story might benefit from a quirky font, while a more serious tone calls for a sophisticated choice.

Create captivating story titles. Your titles should be concise and memorable, offering a glimpse into the essence of your story. Spend time brainstorming to find the perfect title that grabs attention.

• Incorporate action words and strong verbs to make your titles attention-grabbing, such as 'Things Fall Apart' or 'Breaking Through Barriers.'
• Opt for a mysterious tone to intrigue readers, with titles like 'Caves of Crystal and Blood' or 'The Light in the Ruins.'
• Consider using a punchy, one-word title for impact, such as 'Torrential' or 'Wanderlust.'

Craft an engaging brief paragraph summarizing your book. Identify what sets your book apart and compose a concise paragraph highlighting it. Concentrate on the main character's struggles and the obstacles they encounter in your narrative. Use a captivating description to captivate readers!

Select appropriate tags and categories to connect with your audience. Tags and categories enhance the discoverability of your story on Wattpad. Utilize keywords that accurately depict the themes and genres of your stories. Incorporate genre, subject matter, key themes, and other relevant tags and categories to reach your target audience.

• For example, if you specialize in war fiction, utilize tags like 'history,' “WWII,” and “war.'

Rate your story according to its content. If your content is geared towards mature audiences, employ tags and categories to signify that. Depending on the nature of your content, consider using tags such as 'strong language,' 'mature readers,' 'adult fiction,' and 'sexual content.' For content aimed at young readers, utilize tags like 'YA,' 'teen fiction,' and 'young adult fantasy' to target the appropriate audience.

Release your stories in serialized form for more frequent publication. Consistently publishing content is vital for expanding your reader base. Break down your story into smaller segments, such as chapters or acts. Establish a regular uploading schedule, whether it's monthly or weekly.

• Avoid missing upload deadlines as it can impact your reader count negatively. While occasional delays are understandable, consistent tardiness can erode reader trust.
• Strive to ensure each update is worth the wait, particularly during longer breaks.
• If you write your story in advance, you'll alleviate the pressure of meeting upload deadlines.

Engage with your audience. Wattpad operates much like a social media platform. Readers can leave comments on your stories, and you can respond to them. Take the time to interact with comments after posting your story. Engaging with your audience makes you more approachable and increases the likelihood of readers recommending your story to others.

• Be open to receiving feedback from readers, whether it's constructive or not. Respond graciously to any feedback you receive unless it's disrespectful.
• Show appreciation for polite comments from your readers, whether they offer praise, constructive criticism, or a mix of both.
• You have the option to remove insulting or hateful comments from your story.

Request Wattpad's staff to feature your story. Wattpad offers a special category called 'Featured Stories.' Being featured grants your story increased exposure, making you more visible as an author and expanding your audience reach.

• Contact Wattpad's staff through their help center. Approach them with humility and respect, considering the likelihood that they receive numerous requests.

Share links to your Wattpad profile on social media. Utilize your personal profiles or create dedicated professional profiles to promote your writing. Encourage readers to follow and engage with you on social media platforms.

Participate in Wattpad writing contests to increase visibility. Wattpad hosts various writing contests concurrently, sometimes tied to upcoming movies or specific brands. Winning these contests enhances your exposure and offers potential prizes.

• Explore Wattpad's ongoing contests at https://www.wattpad.com/go/writing-contests/.
• The annual Wattys present multiple awards recognizing plot development, uniqueness, and breakthrough stories, making them Wattpad's premier awards.

• Avoid falling into the trap of cliché stories and plot points. Although it may seem challenging at first, familiarizing yourself with existing Wattpad stories will help you steer clear of common clichés and develop a more unique narrative.
• Practice patience. Gaining recognition on Wattpad demands time and dedication. Stay committed to producing high-quality content and fostering positive interactions, and success will eventually follow.

• Refrain from promoting your stories on other users' profiles, as it violates Wattpad's terms of service.
• Ignore hateful comments, as they can undermine your confidence and motivation. Differentiate between constructive criticism and outright hate, as some individuals may offer valuable feedback despite appearing critical.