The "Follow Me" Protocol: Quid Pro Quo Is Not The Way To Go

in steemit •  7 years ago 

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Having been on here for a while now, I've seen a lot of people responding to posts that people take a long time and a lot of work to prepare with "follow me." That's it, generally... every once in awhile you get something like, "Nice post- follow me." Speaking for myself, this just pisses me off and is counterproductive in my opinion. If you want people to follow you... produce some good content- something worth reading, or viewing.

I saw an introductory post by a young woman who posted only a picture and a caption that read (guess what?) FOLLOW ME. By the way, the title was, are you ready... Follow Me. I want to see everyone that comes to Steemit succeed, but I don't think this is the way to go. I'm not a very good writer as far as writers go, but I put a lot of time and effort into what I write. Typically, a chapter of the Night Gods, or the Lottery Council will take me 4-5 hours to complete... I agonize over every word to make certain it says what I want to say. When I get "follow me" for a comment. you can only imagine what I think!

Sometimes, I get "follow me and I'll follow you back"... (usually from someone with 25 followers, or so). Gee, I think... don't do me any favors. Actually, it's more like- Fuck you, follow this! I would rather have 100 loyal followers that read my stuff than 1000 of the "follow me" assholes. After posting, I'm cleaning out my "following" list and if I don't know you, or you're not someone that's come up with something better than "follow me" adios! I hope I don't lose a bunch of followers over this, but I guess if I do, they weren't really followers after all.

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Hey @richq11 this is so true I noticed ever since I got past a rep of 60 I often get people asking me to follow them, its annoying as they dont provide anything first, if they was a regular voter or a decent content writer then I would consider it yes.

I don't even give upvotes to my friends unless I like the post! I cleared over 200 people I was following off the list! I guess I'm not immune!!!

After posting, I'm cleaning out my "following" list and if I don't know you, or you're not someone that's come up with something better than "follow me" adios

It also clutters up the feed. I've found that the spam drowns out what I actually want to read. @richq11

Amen my friend!

That caution looks scary! What can you say about Washington being NOT amused because the ISIS-pledge alliance Maute group in the Philippines is losing against the government?

I haven't been following what's going on there... But if it's ISIS, it can't be good. I did read somewhere that your Pres. has been fighting them.

Yes he is. There were Caucasian casualties. Also, a cocaine lab was also found with millions of Pesos in there, some heavy artillery too. Hopefully, martial law is enough to defeat them, its more than 30 days now.

I'm praying for you guys! Are you somewhere safe???

Thank you. My family are from the north, though i have relatives in Mindanao but outside Marawi City.

I've just been making regular comments. I feel like those simple comments are usually low rated and don't get exposure either. Kind of defeats the purpose!

No it doesn't... people generally pay less for comments than posts. Don't take it personally. People just want to feel like you read their stuff rather than just "follow me."

Great advice-especially for my new - user self. Ha! I'm curious about your writing. Are Night Gods and Lottery Gods books or short stories that you write?

Good question! When I started the Lottery Council, I thought I could do it in 2 chaps. I'll be posting Chapter XIX today (it's almost done) The Night Gods is actually Part II, a sequel.

This is a link to the last chap of the Lottery council... if you scroll down there's links back to the beginning.

https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-lottery-council-chapter-xviii-the-clock-is-ticking

Oh. They are stories you're sharing on Steemit!?!! That. Is. Awesome.

I've been doing really well here... when the price of steem is up, I generally get about $80 + a chapter.

That's amazing. Great work. When I'm finished writing for my clients, I'm going to check out your stories.

Thank you... I just posted another chapter of The Lottery Council (That's what took me so long to respond) Do you live in the US?

Yes, I'm in North Carolina. You?

Arkansas. I used to live in NC... with the Indians in Pembroke. If you Google The Kid That Became A Guy... it's my life story. You should be able to find a chap with links to the beginning. I wrote it as a story but it's all true.

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

I'm hopeful that if we all ignore them they will stop -- the whole "dogs don't chase parked cars" thing.

However -- that hasn't stopped spam or telemarketers -- they can exist and continue to clog up our airways on a remarkably low percentage of return responses.

Any thoughts on what the community can do to actively discourage this besides wasting a down vote that otherwise could be used as an up vote to support someone?

I mute them that way I'm not bothered. I haven't downvoted or flagged since I've been here... But my mute list is as long as your arm!

It honestly pisses me off when someone ignores your entire post and just says "follow me" even when you put hours into something they'll ignore it all together and beg for upvotes or follows.

Really the only thing that i don't like about steemit at the moment.

Me too my friend... That's why I wrote the post... maybe we can discourage a few.

I made a post last night about nearly breaking my nose while cooking.

Someone posted underneath it "looks yummy"

Some people man.

Don't you love it... Work for hours and they TOTALLY miss the point!

Ahh well, it's a thing we have to live with when money is on the line I guess, they leave the site eventually when they don't make any money haha

I agree- you can smell that they are just in it for the money.

Not to mention the desperation!

Yep - write up something worth reading- from the heart- and then keep doing that and you will succeed on steemit.

Well stated, and exactly how I feel.

I haven't been here that long so the perfunctory "I like the way you write, check out my blog" comments are still getting a polite reply that sends them to a post about Follow-Begging.

I was busy not sleeping about 5:00 am composing a similar post in my head.

I should actually start writing, maybe if enough of us say the same thing often enough and loudly enough... nah, the vast majority won't listen.

But it's worth posting for those rare people who will become part of that 100 dedicated, active group of engaged & dedicated members of your community.

Absolutely! I have about 850 followers and my posts are lucky to get 100 views (and that's on a good day!)

This may sound a bit "trite" (I looked that up to make sure I was using it correctly) but;

It's not you, it's them.

As much as people would like to believe that "anyone" can make it here, the law of averages doesn't agree. The idea that "God created all men equal" is difficult to agree with when you objectively look around the world today.

With that said, I think that Steemit is currently the closest thing to Galt's Gulch (or at least what I understand that to be) that anyone has created.

Produce good content for whatever percentage of your readers are capable of "getting it."

Don't totally discount the Butterfly Effect either, you might be the one who posts something that inspires some momentous change.

I doubt it... The last chapter of my story got 27 views in an hour!!!

It only takes 1 to make a difference.

But, you're not allowed to know which one. ;-)

When you're writing your ass off to save your life... It makes a difference!!!

I know, believe me.

This is the only opportunity I have left.

I don't have any simple answers. I spent 6 hours on a post that the current payout value is $3.99 after 2 days, and that's after a minnowsupport upvote.

It's frustrating when you put a lot of effort into something and a single comment on someone else's post makes you more than your own work.

Tell me about it! I've been taking care of my ex-boss, living at his house. But his family is getting tired of his antics (he totalled a $65,000 Audi last week) and they're going to put him in a home... I'm trying to make enough to keep things going without having tp power down!

The insane amount of postings on this topic is well, insane :)

After living in steemit.chat for a month, I figured what we need is a really good onboarding class -- I am a woman on a mission.

Good idea! You sound like the right person for the job!!!

Thanks... I really needed those words. Back to work :)

I just posted a chapter to my book... I need a rest!!!

you're probably best keeping those that at least upvote some of your posts, no point shooting yourself in the foot over it! I think it's also a bit funny how all your "more active" followers may be trying extra hard to add a thoughtful comment to make sure they stand out from that type of crowd (not necessarily consciously either)...

Oh wait a a sec, *did I do that" just now too?! lol :D

As long as I get something more than "follow me" everybody's OK!

Haha ! You know what I saw a introduction post having title !! I'm a newbie !! Please make me rich !

I was like man what is this !
Lol

Well, at least it's more original than follow me! Not what I would have done lol!!!

Yeah ! You're right @richq11

yeah... I see a LOT of that being a newer contributor and having my posts be completely spammed by "follow me I follow u" peeps. I pretty much just ignore them. And still... I have amassed around 52-53 followers WITHOUT resorting or listening to "follow me I follow u". Mainly by being VERY active and putting myself out there with my ideas :) also, being involved somewhat with the redpill community helps ;)

That's the best way! Just keep posting good stuff and the followers will come... it takes time!

Please stop this and write our story with your two fingers driving crazy LOL

The Lottery Council will be ready in about 1 1/2 hrs! LOL

Some think is the best so far. Other think it's not. From my opinion, it May look spam when it's done excessively. Thanks for sharing @richq11!

So we all know that speaking the truth might hurt.
My best friends are those, who are speaking the truth because I forced them to do so, therefore they became my best friends!

As I posted my first article on steemit, I had 25 followers overnight, knowing, that my post wasn't really one I'm proud of... - not knowing anything about Markdown or how to integrate a pic, and so I was quite skeptical about those 25!

Now... - I think my posts got a lil better, as I try to develop my skills, but no one - Not A Single One Of Them - has ever responded to one of my posts yet!

If I knew how, I would try to get rid of them... - I don't need them! I don't depend on a figure that is only telling me a "fake statistic"!

I'm not a coder, but if, I would change the system to the point, that only after you've responded twice, you are able to follow... - just a guess!

P.s.: only 4-5 hours?! @rich11!? Really?! I sometimes need days to get on track!!!

Cheerio!

It takes days to figure out the plotline and hour after hour of planning... It's 4-5 hours of writing an outline and then writing it out. I never stop writing.

Just kidding... - beinge creative keeps alive!

I totally agree with you, dear friend!!! I'm really annoyed by people who comments posts writing just a "follow me, plz" (they don't read the post, just spam comments) or who post one pic and a big "follow me". Why I have to follow them? Just for one upvote? No, thanks . Hugggggggggs and steem on!

Thank you dear friend... A BIG overseas hug to you!!!

You are absolutely right, at first when I arrived I was like that then I stopped because it's silly, the people who follow us in return are not necessarily interested in our content. Good article

Thank you! See... you got a follow, you read the article!!!

At first I was going to write a reply to comments like this; I was going to try to explain to them that begging for followers is not too cool on here. Just doubt they would ever read it or care though.

And I doubt any read my post... I cleared over 200 people I was following out today!

I just madly loved this pappy.😙😚

Thank you!

Great hairstyle😆

I look kinda like Fabio don't I??? Thanks!!!

Well said. If you think my stuff is worth following go for it. If not, that's OK. It seems like school yard bs. Often they withhold their follow too. Follow me first, then I'll follow you.
I don't get it.
A good relevant comment, such as the one I just read of yours on an @clayboyn post actually brings in people who are likely to be interested in your future posts.

The diversity on steemit appeals to different people. I can't understand cluttering your feed with things you don't want to see just so you can have a number that represents an idea of some concept of stardom.

Just be genuine people. If it feels like a task you won't maintain it. Post what you actually do, be who you are, write something you want to write Not what you think someone might upvote.
Then you will find your people, and they will find you.
Following btw 😂 no obligation. I just liked what you said on a post that resonated with me.
https://steemit.com/life/@clayboyn/those-times-i-really-should-have-died

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

I couldn't agree more, and thank you for your kind words! Both you and your husband are permanently ensconced on my following list!

Boy that comment to @clayborn was awhile ago!!!

Its in the blockchain forever. Or so I'm told, I just repeat phrases like that and hope I get away with it. I really have very little idea how it all works.
I just know what I like, and what I like I up and I follow.
I like to take the time when I can to look back at posts, especially when I find someone with consistently great content.
I really wish I could resteem older posts, you never know, there are always new features. There is so much great stuff archived already.

If you have very little idea of how it works, that's 100% more than I know lol! I agree with RS'ing older stuff... I've got people interested in my older stuff, because of recent posts.

I've been writing on here since Thanksgiving and am finally getting a little popularity. Some of my better posts are the older ones (that I made $1.45 on)