My engagement on Steemit replies is dropping and I plan to change that... And you should too!
I feel quite terrible. Today is the first day in quite a few that I have enough time to sit down and reply to the comments left on my posts and I came to realize that I hardly answer to 20-30% of the comments I get.
That is just plain wrong
You know why?
Because when people ask me how I grew so much on Steemit so fast, I start preaching about engaging with other authors, commenting on their posts, replying to the comments you get, spreading your vote as much as you can etc.
And I haven´t been doing that. I have received more than 1,000 comments during the past 2 weeks and I have replied to roughly 200 (Ok, 300 comments came on a contest post which are pretty much self explanatories but still), it is a below average reply rate from my side.
The truth is, if you have time to post, you must have time to reply to the comments people leave on your posts. They are making an effort to engage with you, so you should do the same.
When I started on Steemit, I was replying to 80-90% of the comments I got on my posts and I used to comment in at least 10 other posts a day, now I can hardly keep up with my own post replies. Back in May when I joined chat servers, I was replying to almost everyone, now I have dozens of unread messages from people who are probably reaching out to me to get support or advice.
And you know what? It was that behaviour from the beginning of my steemit journey that got me where I am today, and I am losing my essence. People are telling me I ignore them, that I´m not as friendly as I used to be or they just simply stop commenting on my posts because they are not getting feedback or engagement from me.
It´s not that I don´t want to engage, it´s just that I´m involved in so many projects that sometimes I find it very hard to keep up with everything, especially when I am travelling.
But you know what? Recently I made a contest about "being a role model Steemian", and I think I´m not being one right now, these past few days and I intend to change that.
I am not going to post something unless I already replied to at least 75% of the worthy comments I get - yeah, I am not going to reply to one liners or spam comments - from people that are actually taking the time to read, think and reply on my posts.
And you should follow my example
Steemit is based on engagement and making social relations - real social relations - and I am going to keep trying to be worthy of calling myself a committed Steemian, and I hope you do that too.
Can I count on you?
So let´s make a deal, let´s not publish our next post until we have reached at least 5-10 comments on other people´s posts and we have replied to at least 75% of the comments we get on ours.
Great post @anomadsoul! This is very helpful and gently encouraging. I’m going to do the same. Thanks!
That is the best way to go. But everybody also need to understand it gets harder to keep up with...the more we grow.
I have not grown much yet and I am experience this occasionally. We just can't just stop trying because that is one of those things that contributed to the growth.
Great insight @anomadsoul
Your dedication and empathy are inspiring. The simple fact that you accept the truth is the biggest step one can do to recover.
@agoodsoul is more appropriate in your case. Cheers and happy traveling!
yes that's right, i also do the same problem comment. replying to comments is a must-have thing to me because it does not portray pride. I totally agree with your opinion.
Exactly, if you dont reply its like you dont care or even that you think as it is not worthy of your time right? So lets start replying the most we can.
I feel you, though I've only been here for roughly two weeks, the engagement I made the first week was what has gotten me this reputation score in such a short period of time. I know I have a valid excuse with being busy with my job, the crappy internet connection I've been having and, of course, life gets in the way. But yeah, I think I really should allot even just my free time to engage with other people. :)
Sometimes when eating alone or before going to bed, just taking 15 minutes to reply to other people is more than enough right? :D Life can get in the way I understand that
I am actually pretty bad at making comments on other people's articles but I respond to all or at least 98% of all the comments I receive on my own articles instead. I also upvote most of all the comments on my articles, because it shows my readers that I don't neglect or ignore those who've given me this opportunity.
I do believe that each persons success on Steemit starts with their own blog. If they are writing articles. And that's also why I strongly recommend and encourage each person I can, to interact and respond to every comment they get... Because without my supporters, I would be nothing.
It's all part of a steep learning curve and we're all evolving during each second we spend on Steemit. With time, I'll do even greater things... And so will you and everyone. :)
That´s true, I only give that advice because it was what helped me get noticed by other people but anyone can have some other tips to try and succeed. For example, if I recall correctly, you were one of the people I commented first here on steemit, around 8-9 months ago haha.
That is actually a pretty impressive %, is it taking out the spammy comments?
This is just the start man, I´m sure pretty soon big things will start happening for committed and engaged people like us.
Thank you, and yeah. I don't count the spam replies. I usually don't respond to those. However, I can totally understand why some of the more established Steemians, such as yourself, doesn't have the time to respond to all comments you get on all the articles you publish.
I mean, I might get somewhere between 5 and 15 comments on most of my articles, meanwhile you and many others gets more than 50. Some authors gets more than 100 comments on their articles, so it would be more or less impossible to respond to each comment. But I still try and I will always try to either upvote or respond to as many comments I can, no matter how many comments I get... Because I truly believe that my readers, sooner or later, would feel neglected or ignored if I never replied or showed them any appreciation.
I also believe that you set a good example for newcomers by showing that established Steemians are active in more ways than just churning out articles and raking in rewards.
Personally, I usually don't support authors who ignores their audience because I think it's rude and bad for the community. And I'm trying to improve the overall experience on Steemit for each Steemian, so I feel obligated to follow the things I encourage others to do.
You did comment on my articles several months ago. That is correct! :)
Yeah, this is only the beginning and that is why I've recently launched my own delegation project too. Even though it's small delegations, I still believe that we have to start at some point, and with my @asapers project, we will strive to make a difference in young Steemians lives and to help them make a difference on Steemit.
You have come a very long way already, and I'm glad I've been following your journey here. Continue to be awesome! :)
I will try to take a look at your new project, i know of a couple people looking for steem delegations. (not me others), so glad I decided to be true and read the comments.
Hello @anomadsoul !
I think your journey in steemit is incredible and the fact you are trying to increase your engagement is a good example and shows how important it is.
I wonder if you at some time made a post telling the community about your beginnings? I would like to read something like that coming from an user like you.
Cheers pal!
I think I've responded to all of my comments, of course if they are genuine.
Ignore that white space at the end, I have no idea why it is there but I can´t edit it out :(
I believe you should be able to edit it and erase it, no clue why it didn't let you..
That's weird
Delete these codes from the end of your post: p br and p
There should be many lines of these codes.
I find your proposal interesting and I am happy to follow it, but for me it is easy, I do not have as many answers as you, if in each post you recive hundreds of comments it becomes very complicated.
Well its different for everyone, perhaps you can focus on commenting more om other people's posts! The point is to increase interaction however we can.