The Illusion Of "Followers"
I see posts almost daily touting "I'VE GOT 400 FOLLOWERS" or "500 FOLLOWERS YIPPEE" but what, is anything does it really mean. I can remember the excitement of my first 100 followers, I almost couldn't believe that that many people were interested in my writing... and then it was 400, then 600... now it's almost 900, but what does it mean?
Not much, I'm afraid. As it turns out 800+ followers doesn't mean the 800+ people are reading your posts. If you want a realistic indicator of how many "followers" you really have, wait a day and check how many people viewed your post. For example, I wrote one of the best chapters of a story I'm doing yesterday and out of 882 followers, I got 27 views. Quite a discrepancy wouldn't you say?
Clearly, I'm not discouraging people from encouraging followers by posting quality content (not begging). It's fun to log on in the morning and see that I've gained 4-5 new followers... but put it in its proper perspective. In terms of how many people actually follow you in any meaningful way... the "Follower" list is deceptive and in my opinion irrelevant.
You are so right.
I just posted my thoughts (and investigation outcam) on this issue, and the automatic "follow bots". I think this starting to become a problem latelly .
Then I found this your post. We are close in our findings
Send me a link... I'd like to see it! I'm worried about another related issue I'm going to write about today!
It is right at the top of my home page. Well , here is the link:
https://steemit.com/steemit/@onealfa/i-got-500-followers-oops-not-really
You make some great points!
Oh... You're just admiring the top of my head!
Agreed, the view count is the only useful metric I can see. Even payout is unreliable because of the HF reward pool effects and bot votes.
Absolutely! Chapters of the same story that were paying $150 a week ago are paying $15.00 now... I can't believe my writing has gone downhill that fast!
100% agreed...
It's still a nice little dopamine hit to see when you've gained a few bots who don't vote 😉
Surprisingly painful when you lose a follower (I've lost 2, I doubt you've had the experience)
🙂
I lose one every once in a while... I don't pay that much attention any more.
After your post, framing it the way you did, I still look, but the relevance is attenuated.
If you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one.
I regard Steemit as a chronicle of my story for my nieces and nephews to peruse when I've moved on...
If I've had a positive influence in their lives; and they want more... Here it is.
The blockchain is forever.
I know the feeling. I never dared to tell anyone the truth about my life (especially my kids) When I grew up being a "bastard" was something to look down at. I also didn't want people to know about childhood sexual abuse. But now I'm old and I wanted someone to know the truth so I wrote it all out as a story and published it here.
Good for you!
I've learned that becoming an adult is letting go of the (self-perceived) shame of your past.
We're all broken in some unique, beautiful way that makes us who we are...
My brother, of the Vidalia onions,
Forgiveness is giving up the hope that one day you're going to have a better past.
Your past starts today, beginning tomorrow.
Well said, My Brother, well said!
There seems to be such a general fixation on accumulating followers, and celebrating milestones, but it just didn't make a lot of sense to me - maybe because I'm still a newbie. So, thanks for the confirmation that I'm not a total idiot about it (ok, so maybe just a partial idiot).
Having said that, when I clicked on your post (thx squirl, for resteeming), it brought a huge smile to my face! I had to do a double-take because my chocolate lab had about the same look on his face a little bit ago. I think he's fed up with me sitting in front of this stupid computer. Time to go enjoy some of the beautiful day outside. Thx for the smile. :)
ps: I guess I really should learn how to do actual emoji's...Nah! Maybe another day.
I use Imgflip meme Generator. It's incredibly easy to use (even a monkey can do it)
I'm happy for you for achieving 883 followers.
You're right what matters is how many are happy with your posts or how many are online when you post something.
Sometimes when you post your article, there are chances of getting 100 views and sometimes just 27.
But we are happy steemers and enjoying our work.
Stay blessed
You're doing a great job @richq11
Well I guess my "followers" are taking the weekend off. Better wait until Monday fro any good stuff! Thanks for your kind words- they help!
Dont worry im on the weekend shift!
LOL... Me too. I think I'm going to do one of my Kid stories today.
Dude you are so right. I remember writing a post at 100 and getting about 7 votes. I thought then who's actually reading my stuff?
I'm sitting around 700 and it's meaningless when you get 60 views.
There are so many here now it's impossible to keep up and I try really hard.
You have to accept a low % of 'followers' are really following your thread.
You just have to keep on trying and hope you resonate with people.
Good post buddy. Read, voted and commented
Amen.. I hit 900 today and usually wind up with 35 views!
I'd say the majority of my followers are garbage accounts. Garbage as in they won't be voting for me again. I see a lot of them have more followers and even more steem power than me but they also are following that many or more. You aren't going to get many votes from a person that follows 1000 other people. Especially with a limit on votes now.
You're right... I'm just trying to ignore it! For some reason 885 followers and 27 views just didn't add up.
This is so true. I am still waiting on quality friends, of which I like to think most of those who follow me are...perhaps I too am deluded in this thinking...but I will not post my best content before it's time.
Best of luck @richq11 !
Thank you... as for quality followers, I may have 50.
was just heading out for work, lol...I think I'm addicted to my feed ~smiles~
this is now coming to my full first 2 weeks...I'm just this old (flips universal peace sign)
I hope you may find me to be your 51st in the near future.
~peace out...in~
Later Brother
I like your stuff, that's why I'm following! Oh, and you get my 2 cents worth of upvoting as a bonus! Have a great weekend.
You too... I think I'm going to do one of my Kid stories today... And every 2 cents helps! Have 19 back!