My bot experience
As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, I have started using some different bots to gain visibility for my posts. In particular, I have been using @yabapmatt's Steem Bot Tracker as one of my favorite tools.
At first it seemed like I got more genuine engagement on my first introduction post before using any bots, but then I started getting a trickle of upvotes and occasional comments that made it seem like I was gaining traction. I'm not entirely sure yet, but I will keep plugging away.
For those of you actually reading this, let me tell you a little about how I have chosen to use upvote bots. When I post, I use the @resteembot right out the gate. Then I let the post sit for a while so that actual readers (whether my own followers, or those that come from resteembot) can have a chance to react and Upvote if they think it to be worthwhile. Once a post has been out a day, I start paying for Upvote bot traffic. This way my actual readers can get a little curation boost from the bots I pay for later). My hope is that this will help improve the actual level of engagement I get from real live people.
Do you have particular bot strategies you would be willing to share? I would love to hear what others are doing in this regard.
I do very much the same thing and I think you are on the right track
Thank you. I try to follow a data-driven approach. It seems to be working, but the sample size is still pretty small. It's helpful to hear from others that follow similar approaches with positive experience.
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You make a really good point about waiting to use the bots until after your "real" following has had some time to upvote it first. I hadn't even thought about that, but it's definitely an important thing to remember.
I've recently begun to leverage the advantage that using these voting bots gives...and I can honestly say I'm really glad with the results that I've been getting so far.
Now, if only I could just manage to get those bot upvotes to translate over to organic growth... :P
I track everything and I've been slightly profitable with my bot strategy so far, but I'm not convinced it's generating organic growth yet. More of that has come from responding to comments, engaging with followers, and commenting/upvoting quality content that I see elsewhere.
The delay on summoning the bots lets my followers get a curation boost. They know bots are coming in a day or two, so it's even more worthwhile to upvote. I'm not sure if it's working yet, though. The reasons why somebody upvotes are hard to identify if they don't comment, and I don't have enough post history to quantify any trend in upvotes per post.
I have received some comments that suggest there is value in summoning the bots earlier to get a post onto the "Hot" page, where all the posts are only a few hours old. I've been thinking about doing that one post in every five or ten, and only when I know it's my best work.
Ahhhh I see.
This is actually the approach I've taken with it! I didn't realize that it was an actual method that people employ, but it makes sense that other people before me would have thought of it, too.
So far, it looks like I've managed to gain some new followers and new engagement on my posts, but I've only been doing it for a few days, so I'm not sure if I really have enough data to judge.
If it seems to be working, keep doing it until you have the data to make a full evaluation.
Indeed. I guess I'll just have to keep on trying it and see if it continues to bring in a good benefit. How did you find my post, if you don't mind me asking?
That's a good question. I was on my phone on the way to work. I don't see any evidence that you would have been in my feed already, so it must have been in Trending?
I'm not really sure, to be honest, but that's my best guess.
I see, if it was indeed in Trending, then it definitely appears to be succeeding so far, lol. That's pretty cool though, that we're both in Utah! One of the admins on the @minnowsupport Project discord server is also an SLC local. It's cool seeing more people on Steemit!
I used to use a few bots, but they quickly priced themselves into Whale Territory, so that's gone.
Now, since I usually only see 1 or 2 hardcore readers, I am just dumping some of my Alt-coins into Steem while it's cheap, boosting my SP. And off I go, upvoting and re-steeming.
By hardcore readers, do you mean followers that consistently upvote and comment on your posts? Or do you have some other definition?
Thanks!
I just mean the people that seem to vote and comment on every post I put up. 1 or 2 people, so I like to return the favor.
Okay, so that is what I was thinking you meant. Thank you for your response.
Bots are good but your followers are the people that you need to socialize with, you didnt come to steemit to make friends with bots but human....thanks, nice post anyway.
Thank you; I appreciate the feedback.
I have been having fun playing with bots, but I do try to socialize with my followers too. I respond to all posts that aren't vote begging.
Thats so nice, i appreciate
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I think, while bots can be helpful to boost your visibility in the short term, it would lead to a decrease in content quality and ultimately the reputation and value of steem if too many people used bots. I am still new to steem and have not used bots before but it doesn't feel right to me.
I agree that if too many people used bots, it would lead to a decline in quality. To some extent, I think this has already happened. I do a few things to compensate for this.
You found my posts after the swarm of bots started, so they are helping. I hope you will stay for the content and disregard the bots (or comment on new posts before they show up).
Hmm okay but the bots will only help you gain visibility if you need to gain a "critical mass" of followers. However, take it with a grain of salt. In the long term, the community will only reward quality content and bot inflation may actually harm your reputation with experienced users. So I personally would not use it, it just doesn't fit with my idea of this community. :)
Thank you for your perspective.
You are welcome. Still looking forward for your updates though :)
If you have enough to throw at tbe bots, thrn getting bit votes in earlier can put you onto "hot" where you might get noticed more. But, otherwise yes, let your regular followers upvote / comment and upvote later so there's less bot spam comments for your regular readers and tbey get curation.
Thank you for your insights. I have thought about the right balance between letting my followers comment/upsteem before the bots show up and promoting early to gain momentum.
Since many comments on 'trending' are a day or two old, I think that giving my followers one day head start is probably enough. I haven't looked at 'hot' closely yet, but I will check it out.
Edit: I just looked at 'hot' and everything is only an hour or two old. I will see how much traction my current method gains over the next week or two and then consider adjusting. Thanks again for your insight!
nice post
Thanks. It looks like leaving shallow comments in response to posts has been damaging your reputation. When you comment on a post, you may want to put a little more thought into it and add something to the discussion or put specific reasons why you think it's a nice post.
You'd be surprised at the impact it will make on turning your reputation around!
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