I am in the process of starting two new webserials – Angry Aetherist (Edally Academy) and Jumping Rings (Inner Circle) – and thought the steps I go through might be useful for someone else.

This is by no means comprehensive, but it’s a base list to start from.

1. Have a serial idea, title, and a buffer. At least a month’s worth of material to post is a good rule of thumb.
   1. No, really, have a buffer.
      
   2. Know when and how often you’ll post and stick to it. Once a week regularly is better than “three times a week” that turns into “when I can make it.”
      
   3. It helps to google the title – something I wish I’d done with Inner Circle – to see if it’s already in use.

2. If you can, have a dedicated site with an easy-to-remember/type URl.
   Things that help to have on the site:
   1. Links to your other fiction
      
   2. A table of contents or
      
   3. Readily visible link to your starting page & easy navigation buttons

3. You have a site up? Good! Start posting your story. Make sure your posting schedule is visible on the site and stick to it.
   
4. Once you have 3-4 installments up, start promoting yourself:
   1. http://webfictionguide.com/
      
   2. http://muses-success.info/
      
   3. http://www.epiguide.com/forums/local_links.php
      
   4. crowdfunding and crowdfunding
      
   5. http://www.projectwonderful.com/ (although ads are a subject all in themself)
      
   6. Twitter – esp. the #weblit hashtag. Promote each installment, but be careful not to overspam people.
      
   7. Link to your serial from other sites – your writing blog, if you have one, other serials you’ve written… you get the idea.

5. Continue to post on your posting schedule.
   
6. If you’ve linked to your serial at sites like Web Fiction Guide, it doesn’t hurt to ask your readers for a review; the reviews put your story on the front page, which drives traffic.
   
7. Speaking of readers: Engage, but don’t fight. Chat in the comments but don’t yell at people.

I know I’m missing steps, but this is a beginning, at least.

Can you think of anything obvious I’ve missed?

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