tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post4615748906437669230..comments2023-12-26T18:33:04.681-08:00Comments on Writability: Why I Don't Auto-Follow BackGabe (Ava Jae)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04778524723148508140noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-69991696646274091732013-10-22T06:07:31.447-07:002013-10-22T06:07:31.447-07:00I liked it. Thanks for sharing the Boo Little D...I liked it. Thanks for sharing the <a href="http://boothedog.org//" rel="nofollow">Boo Little Dog</a>Teeo Teoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-83173457438401950952013-04-07T12:39:48.848-07:002013-04-07T12:39:48.848-07:00I agree with you. For me it's content and rela...I agree with you. For me it's content and relationships. I know I've been unfollowed probably several hundred times simply because I didn't follow them back, and truthfully, it doesn't bother me because I know their main goal in following me for for a return follow. That's not why I'm on Twitter.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-75463695905343736442013-03-31T11:55:23.452-07:002013-03-31T11:55:23.452-07:00Just wanted to address this comment, because I'...Just wanted to address this comment, because I've also felt rejected when I don't get comments or so on (a lot of people do! It's a very common thing for bloggers to get bummed about!) Days/weeks/months later someone will reference a post I made and I'm like "what? No one commented on it!" "Well I had nothing to say, it was just a complete idea without any room for me to butt in, but it made me think." I've gotten this from a bunch of people. Everyone has different attitudes toward commenting--that they don't need to validate the blogger, that they liked it but had nothing to say, they're shy, etc.<br /><br /><br /><br />Even knowing this, I've also wondered why I bother sometimes because it feels so much like shouting into a void when you get no feedback, even knowing other people read your stuff. That might be part of the reason for the shift to short format blogs, because the investment is lower in writing a tweet versus, say, a a dreamwidth post.Leaping Lemurnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-37579914485033577432013-03-31T11:48:40.071-07:002013-03-31T11:48:40.071-07:00I don't understand auto follow-backs. My twitt...I don't understand auto follow-backs. My twitter feed is fast enough as is, why would I follow people who tweet things I don't care about just because they like what I tweet? If we become friends/get into conversations, yeah. But otherwise I follow people because I like what they have to say.<br /><br /><br />Looking at my following list it seems like I've been followed by a lot of other writers who never tweeted me/said anything, who then unfollowed-- I'd assume it's because they don't like my feed but now I wonder if it's because I didn't follow them back. I get the following email but not one for unfollow, I wonder how many I've had who did that because I definitely don't see the more, er... memorable profiles.Leaping Lemurnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-53246068630848531692012-03-01T19:21:44.721-08:002012-03-01T19:21:44.721-08:00I entirely understand what you mean about being wo...I entirely understand what you mean about being worried about the follows--it's something I think a lot of us have to overcome, especially at the beginning. <br /><br />Personally, I found I really started enjoying social media a lot more when I stopped worrying about people followed me or what my Klout score was or any of those measuring things. Sure, I still look at the page views and followers and smile, but it's no longer the number one priority--and after I made that shift and started really focusing on what I was enjoying, I found that taking the pressure off was really beneficial. <br /><br />Don't worry about other people--not the follows or comments or lack thereof. You say you enjoy blogging and that's what matters. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-35854264702290760432012-03-01T19:15:53.109-08:002012-03-01T19:15:53.109-08:00Hi, again, Ava! I'd like to thank you for you...Hi, again, Ava! I'd like to thank you for your very nice, thoughtful reply! I guess the thing with me is that I have issues with rejection, so I tend to get depressed when someone doesn't follow or comment back. I work very hard<br /><br /><br /> on my blog, so I tend to think, when I either don't receive a comment or a follow, that, for some reason, the other person didn't like my blog, or my post. Then I start obsessing about it! Thoughts keep spinning through my brain, like what could I do so that people would want to read my blog? Is it perhaps too cluttered, visually? But I like the way I've designed my blog...and on and on... I've even had some dark thoughts about deleting the whole thing! But I've controlled myself, so it's still there! <br /><br />Bottom line, I think I should just take a deep breath, and keep on going, trying not to get discouraged... After all, I LOVE blogging, and my subject matter is my passion -- books!! <br /><br />Well, I gotta work on this, I suppose. i recently read "The Four Agreements", by Don Miguel Ruiz, by the way. One of these agreements is to not take things personally. That's very hard to do, I think, in some situations. But maybe in this particular one, I should really take his advice. Then I won't be going through my little cycle of depression followed by obsession, ad infinitum!<br /><br /><br /><br /> Maria Beharnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-10104330082688226852012-03-01T18:57:43.039-08:002012-03-01T18:57:43.039-08:00You make some perfectly valid points, Maria, and I...You make some perfectly valid points, Maria, and I'm sure you're not the only one with that point of view. <br /><br />In this post I was mostly talking about my Twitter following policy, but I suppose the same applies to blog following as well. I think that you make a point to leave thoughtful comments (like this one) on blogs that you enjoy is fantastic--in fact, it's something I strive to do myself, because it creates some great relationships and, of course, it's a subtle thank you to the blogger. <br /><br />However, I don't expect anyone to follow me because I followed them, or follow me because I commented on their blog or anything of the like, which is probably a large part of the reason I don't automatically follow people back, either. I hope you don't take it too personally when someone doesn't follow you back, because I can assure you that many people don't really think of it in personal terms. If you work to develop a relationship with someone online, chances are they'll eventually reciprocate with a follow at some time or another, but before then I hope it doesn't feel like a rejection, because I'm sure the other person certainly doesn't consider it a rejection. <br /><br />Thank you for sharing your point of view! I appreciate it! :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-76050987559154546532012-03-01T13:23:25.915-08:002012-03-01T13:23:25.915-08:00Although you do have a valid point, I'd like t...Although you do have a valid point, I'd like to mention the other side of the coin. <br /><br />I see the act of following back as a courteous thing to do. In fact, I always follow back, because I don't want the other blogger to feel hurt, or think they're being ignored. <br /><br />I always try to leave meaningful comments on other blogs, especially when they pertain to book reviews. I don't simply write "Thanks for the great review!" Instead I comment on WHY I enjoyed the review. I also enjoy praising other bloggers on their beautiful blogs. Usuallly, when I leave a comment, I follow at the same time. I do feel hurt if, after praising a blog, following, and leaving a well-thought out comment, I am not thanked. <br /><br />Maybe I'm too sensitive, but there it is. When I'm not followed back, I can't help but feel rejected. <br /><br />My two cents...Maria Beharnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-34456624214743291602012-01-30T09:23:03.259-08:002012-01-30T09:23:03.259-08:00I've probably had over 100 unfollows because I...I've probably had over 100 unfollows because I don't follow back, but as you said, if the only reason they followed was to get me to follow them back, then there really wasn't much point anyway. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-68273137815556652892012-01-30T09:19:18.667-08:002012-01-30T09:19:18.667-08:00I totally agree. It annoys me very much when peopl...I totally agree. It annoys me very much when people expect you to follow them because they have followed you.<br /><br />I have had some followers who after several days deleted me, and I can only guess it is because I didn't follow them back. But that defeats the point of following, you follow to see what they post, not to be followed.<br /><br />The only people I do follow back (unless I genuinely like their page) are people I already know in person.Ruth Fletchernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-64246383558349427742012-01-28T20:19:15.281-08:002012-01-28T20:19:15.281-08:00Great post :) I follow people who look like they a...Great post :) I follow people who look like they are active in posts and have interesting posts, or family who want to see what I'm up to I make an exception for :) I am a bit selective and have recently started using the list function, but I'm still discovering what things are all about too. It's a fun journey so far! Thanks for sharing your post!andiekinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13842345515848197444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-44697209625401014722012-01-28T05:22:31.156-08:002012-01-28T05:22:31.156-08:00I tend to agree--when I come across followers who ...I tend to agree--when I come across followers who tell me they're on team followback and unfollow me when I don't respond with a follow, I'm not really that broken up about it. If they were only interested in following me so that I would follow them back, then they weren't really all that interested in what I had to say, anyway. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-58006738584380060342012-01-28T02:32:44.308-08:002012-01-28T02:32:44.308-08:00I agree. I don't auto-follow people back, and ...I agree. I don't auto-follow people back, and I don't expect them to follow me back. If I follow someone on blogspot, twitter, whatever, it's because I want to read what they're posting, not because I'm looking for followers. If they follow me, I assume they're doing it for the same reason. If they're the type of person who unfollows me when I don't follow them back, well, I figure they weren't actually going to be reading what I posted anyway, and there's no loss on either side.Patrick Samphirehttp://patricksamphire.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-84043610171065284952012-01-27T13:22:07.902-08:002012-01-27T13:22:07.902-08:00You're welcome! I think we all need a subtle r...You're welcome! I think we all need a subtle reminder every once in a while--the numbers game can be quite addicting if you're not careful. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-7717913909985123712012-01-27T12:47:11.763-08:002012-01-27T12:47:11.763-08:00Great post, and I totally agree.
In the beginning...Great post, and I totally agree. <br />In the beginning, it's hard to see past the numbers, but there are so many more important things. Thanks for the reminder! :)Stephanie Poscentehttp://sbposcente.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-220345141580761992012-01-26T20:42:17.442-08:002012-01-26T20:42:17.442-08:00It's something I think many of us have to lear...It's something I think many of us have to learn through experience. When we first start out, most of us want to have a lot of followers and we don't think much about the consequences of following EVERYONE automatically back. It isn't until we've started learning about the ways of Twitter that the benefits of selective following become more apparent. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-81332605626333852842012-01-26T20:39:06.466-08:002012-01-26T20:39:06.466-08:00good point. I know when I started twitter, I didn&...good point. I know when I started twitter, I didn't get it either. Now I don't worry about followers. I follow the people I want to connect with, and hopefully the people following me are doing it for my content, too. :)Alackermnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-23124414656215932582012-01-26T10:37:13.762-08:002012-01-26T10:37:13.762-08:00Do you follow a lot of people based off #FF recomm...Do you follow a lot of people based off #FF recommendations? I'm just curious since you said you like following people others that you're following mention (which, in my opinion, is a pretty good policy).Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-65260643999593058172012-01-26T10:34:29.336-08:002012-01-26T10:34:29.336-08:00I too have been victim of the follow-unfollow game...I too have been victim of the follow-unfollow game. Not only is it irritating, but it's rather rude if you ask me...although I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume that maybe Twitter unfollowed automatically, which does occasionally happen. Nevertheless, a lot of people looking for followers and just interested in boosting their numbers sometimes follow people to get the follow back, then promptly unfollow said people. It happens. <br />Regardless, following or not is always a choice as is deciding how to organize your Twitter stream. Some prefer to focus it on certain topics while others prefer a wide variety. In the end it's a matter of preference.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-80727249890839511992012-01-26T08:05:49.373-08:002012-01-26T08:05:49.373-08:00Oof, YES. The auto-follow thing drives me nuts. No...Oof, YES. The auto-follow thing drives me nuts. Not to mention the fact that I've noticed a pretty direct correlation between auto-followers and over-self-promotion--which is not to say EVERY auto-follower does it, but a lot of people who are out there to pad their follower numbers are doing it for that reason.<br /><br />I tend to follow people when people I follow and find interesting tweet about or at them. The friend of my friend is probably someone I'll like.Meg Spoonernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-8931309817181575882012-01-26T06:20:42.817-08:002012-01-26T06:20:42.817-08:00I completely agree! One of the main reasons I don&...I completely agree! One of the main reasons I don't auto-follow back is because of those who appear to follow me only to try to get me to follow back, only to (and am I the only one who finds this irritating?) unfollow me shortly thereafter irregardless. I myself only have so many hours in a week, leaving not much time for Social Media, therefore when I do find the time I prefer to use it scanning for useful, positive, uplifting information & interaction rather than (and no offence intended to anyone here or there) having a bunch of noise and useless drivel plugging up the works.<br /><br />In my Twitterverse following is a choice. I only follow those who interest or interact with me, and being that I could care less about numbers it makes no difference to me whether they choose to follow me back or not, that choice is completely up to them.Selinahttp://twitter.com/SelinaTodaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-14441408436955009472012-01-26T04:50:19.656-08:002012-01-26T04:50:19.656-08:00Interesting. I hadn't heard of that. Interesting. I hadn't heard of that. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-55277565809126853222012-01-25T23:23:37.384-08:002012-01-25T23:23:37.384-08:00I want to follow everoneI want to follow everone2012dawningbloghttp://twitter.com/2012dawningblognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-317881186011666912012-01-25T20:23:22.108-08:002012-01-25T20:23:22.108-08:00I understand what you mean about not having enough...I understand what you mean about not having enough time to build those relationships. I've had to cut down on the amount of time I spend on Twitter, but thankfully the little bits I do manage to fit in have been enough to pop in with my Twitter friends and see what new connections I can make. It's just a matter of paying attention to the right things. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-81321831053344372942012-01-25T20:19:38.353-08:002012-01-25T20:19:38.353-08:00That's an interesting connection--I didn't...That's an interesting connection--I didn't really think about comparing my Twitter follow policy to my blogger follow policy. I haven't tried any contests myself, but I think it might be worth experimenting with in the future, if only because I know I'm now following more than one blog that I started following due to a contest. You're right though--the point isn't just to get a lot of blog followers, it's to get blog followers that return regularly and interact with you. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com