Let’s face it, sex is generally taboo porn in America. Oh sure, we have racy shows and suggestive magazine photos. But we’re only dabbling in it. For the most part, it’s still forbidden fruit. But don’t take my word for it. Have a look at the “Do Not Post” section from Facebook’s “Sexual Solicitation” community standards:
Sex is clearly offensive to the Facebook and the mainstream social media masses. You can bet that the “Karens” of the world are eagerly waiting to report you. This makes the most popular social media platforms untouchable advertising for the average literotica writer…unless you’ve authored a best seller and had a mediocre movie series made out of it. (More on the hypocrisy of Facebook when I have the energy.) Apparently, the sexually explicit language in our taboo porn is worse than Facebook using the words “wetness,” “erection,” “sexual penetration,” and “self-pleasuring.” It’s OK though, they’re using these words as descriptions of what not to do. That’s the catch, right? Facebook descriptively says “No,” and literotica authors say, “Oooooh yes!”
Taboo Porn – The Truth Will Set You Free
Facebook makes erotica authors sound like seedy pimps working in back alleys. The truth is, we’re working in one of the best selling genres on the market. Seems strange, doesn’t it? The brothel is alive and well, hidden in plain sight. We’re told it’s wrong, but the vast majority secretly says it’s oh so right.
Like most authors, I strive to put out relatively decent literotica. I strive to continually improve my stories and my style. It’s a progression. And like any artist and entrepreneur, I need an outlet to promote my work. But along with millions of other authors, I have had my “taboo porn” forbidden from Facebook. It’s clearly irrelevant that the majority of us have age restricted websites and Amazon age restricted purchases. Despite our best efforts to protect viewers from our sensitive content, we are simply deemed “offensive” and excluded. When did sex become offensive? I’d like to quote Eurotrip for this one.
How to Sell Your Taboo Porn
So where can authors of literotica go to grow their audience? It seems like nowhere. The average taboo porn writer doesn’t always know which sites will share their work. Those that will may not have a great ROI. You’re a writer, an artist, not (necessarily) a business guru…but you need to be.
The Business of Literotica
I’ve spent the bulk of my professional career in sales and marketing. Being a halfway decent writer has come in extremely handy. I’ve had successes in business and massive failures. What I’ve proven time and again, what looks likes a wild success story likely took years to create.
Keep in mind that there is no magic bullet which will skyrocket you to the top of the charts. You, the author, are now a brand, and those short stories and novellas you so painstakingly created are now a business. I know that creating each of them was a huge coup, but those creations are only about 2% of what actually needs to be done. Literotica is a business, treat it as such.
Marketing 101
Boiling down all my years in marketing I think most entrepreneurs need to know that marketing is a process. It takes time and there are no real “Hail Marys” in marketing. Putting time, energy, and money into marketing when you need a miracle to save your business is simply too late.
Marketing is a symphony of a variety of campaigns. There is no one thing which will cause overnight success. Think of marketing as a marathon, not a sprint. Yes, successful sprints are desirable, but I’ve seen many of them peter out leaving nothing much to show in the long run. Also keep in mind that advertising is all about brand awareness and may not pay for itself right away.
So Now What Do You Do?
With the Marketing 101 lesson out of the way, you may be thinking, “Where do I turn when Instagram and Facebook have shut me down? Where do actual readers go for book info, beyond Goodreads and Amazon?” Honestly, not even the experts seem to have a slam dunk answer.
I personally don’t want to turn to just book reader sites, such as Goodreads. Remember, literotica is a sex toy. So I prefer to look to sites which cater to sex, like PornHub.com. Many of these “taboo porn” sites offer reasonably priced display ads, if that’s your jam.
More importantly – you’re a writer, so start writing. Research topics, blog, build your audience. If you have a day job and want to make writing your career, spend every free moment learning about SEO and how to position your stories appropriately. The truth is, there is no one thing you should do to “make it” as a writer. You need to do a lot of things.
One last piece of advice, don’t resent the business side of your writing career. You can be a creative writer and share your work for free if you don’t want to spend time strategizing and promoting your work. That’s what it takes. Treat this writing thing like an entrepreneurial adventure and it’ll click, as long as you’re passionate about all of it.
I’m Happy to Help
Taboo porn such as literotica are big business, but the authors are the pariah of the literary world. It’s a burden we must bear. Yet there is a strange satisfaction in knowing that we are outwardly shunned and secretly loved. That in mind, I’d be happy to share your work with my growing audience for free. Keep in mind I won’t share anything immoral or abusive, so as I’ve said before, use your logic before sending me your work.
