Can you tell me an HONEST answer to this one?

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  1. whooops profile image58
    whooopsposted 14 years ago

    Hello everyone, I am new obviously & this is my first time here at the Hubber's Hangout so please be gentle with me.

    Anyway, I have this nagging question inside my head which I really wanted to ask but I couldn't find the right forum to put it in, so I apologize if this is off topic in this supposedly off-topic Hub Forum.

    My question is:

    Do you really read through the many hubs within hubpages?
    Or do you just browse through?
    I do see a lot of truly great hubs & so many terrific writers but whenever I try to read their hubs if it is too long, I end up just browsing the latter part & just leaving a comment.

    I see lots of comments from other hubbers but I kept on asking myself how can they read all those long hubs (however great it is) & still have the time to write their own great long hubs?

    What is your take on this?
    And care to share any tips to this newbie.

    1. Marisa Wright profile image86
      Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That's the whole point of the Follower system.  It's not a way to make friends, it's meant to be a way to keep track of people whose Hubs you like to read.   

      Some Hubbers treat HubPages like a social networking site, reading each other's Hubs and making lots of comments, thanking each other for comments and having whole conversations on their Hubs.  You shouldn't feel pressured to be part of that if you don't have time, because internal HubPages interaction doesn't contribute to earnings - so it's not like you're disadvantaging anyone.

      Longer Hubs (800 to 1500 words) are good for search engine traffic.

      1. whooops profile image58
        whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        I see, a real eye-opener indeed. Thanks Marisa!

    2. travelespresso profile image68
      travelespressoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hello whooops and welcome to hubpages.  I read those hubs which interest me.  The number I read depends upon my time (which varies from week to week) but if the hubs are well constructed and I'm interested in the topic I will read it to the end and then leave a comment. 

      I like people to comment on my hubs.  It gives me a buzz so I figure if I like it others probably do too and that's the reason I comment.

      Enjoy writing here - it's an excellent forum.

    3. profile image0
      Pani Midnyte Odinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      There are a few hubbers whom I follow with a passion. I tend to browse through everyone else's and only pause to read if I am actually interested. I don't leave comments on hubs I didn't read thoroughly though. And I don't write quality hubs like most do lol

  2. Chaotic Chica profile image60
    Chaotic Chicaposted 14 years ago

    That is why they have length recommendations.  Yes, if it's too long, I'll browse through but then I generally don't comment if I have lost interest.  Otherwise, yes, I read through the ones I do comment on.
    Keep it short, keep it descriptive, keep it accurate and you'll do fine.

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I will thanks Chica!

  3. Daniel Carter profile image62
    Daniel Carterposted 14 years ago

    We all have our favorite hubbers, and everybody has a different style of how to handle all this. When I know there is a long hub I want to read but can't read it right then, I bookmark it and come back. Some people budget their time reading and commenting to balance the time they need to write. It's usually the best way to handle it. It's easy to get carried away with all the reading, commenting and forum posts, so you have to let yourself explore the possibilities of what's best for you.

    Welcome!! Looking forward to reading!

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Daniel, great advise!

  4. CMHypno profile image81
    CMHypnoposted 14 years ago

    Luckily I can read very fast, especially when something interests me.  The Hubs that frustrate me are the ones that are on a very interesting subject but are just that bit too short and don't give out enough information.

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Same here CMHypno, some hubs leaves me wanting more, while a few goo dbut are just too long to read through. Thank you.

  5. Dale Mazurek profile image62
    Dale Mazurekposted 14 years ago

    I will admit there are hubs I only browse.

    If I find one interesting and it keeps me reading then so be it.

    The hubs I do read entirely are the ones I am considering for my blog.

    I wont put a hub on my blog unless I have read every single word.

    So I would say its a mix for me.

    Cheers

    Dale

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I see, thanks for sharing Dale.

  6. Ivorwen profile image65
    Ivorwenposted 14 years ago

    If I leave a comment, it is because I have read the entire hub.  If it is worth commenting on, then it is worth reading. 

    Sometimes, you already know the basics of what they are saying, and it is easier to skim, still getting the whole content.

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That's what I thought too, nice to know I am not alone, thanks Ivorwen.

  7. TLMinut profile image60
    TLMinutposted 14 years ago

    Reading is my favorite part but I don't always read long ones either. I couldn't figure out why, I read long novels, research books, etc., finally figured out it's just online that I don't like reading long pieces. SO I copy them and print them out if they're really long and worth reading.

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Great advise, thanks a lot TLMinut!

  8. Dolores Monet profile image95
    Dolores Monetposted 14 years ago

    I read and comment on the hubs that interest me and often obtain needed information (on online article writing, gardening, recipes, etc) on hubs. I am sure there are plenty wonderful hubs on things that I'm just not real interested in. But it does take time. Anything you get into takes time. Reading quality hubs will also teaches you what makes a great hub too.

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      So true, thanks Dolores!!

  9. Haunty profile image73
    Hauntyposted 14 years ago

    Soundlikeanewbietome. Don't bother with the hub. Just comment. Jk

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Isee.Thanks.

  10. Lisa HW profile image61
    Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

    whooops, (After needing to type your name a couple of times now, my fourth typing finger has learned to overcome the urge to type only two "o's".  smile  )  (Here comes a long response to your question - sorry  lol  )


    I only have so much reading time (on here or elsewhere), but I pretty much read all of whatever catches my eye.  I read the Hubs that interest me (which means reading a lot of them), but there are zillions of others any of us never even get to see, let alone read.  Some people only like to read short Hubs (or articles).  Some prefer longer ones.  I like longer ones, because if I'm looking for something to read (as opposed to looking for quick information on something like making brownies), I'm looking for "real reading".

    I think for people who make a distinction between what should be concise and to the point (basic information) and what makes a "good read", whether they'll read a long Hub may depend on what's they're looking for and what the Hub is about.

    I'm guilty of long Hubs because I write "concise, professional" articles in other places, and my HubPages writing is something I do to be able to "just write what I want" (rather than what someone else pays me to write).  I write about "issues" or serious things lots of times, and I just write what I think covers the subject.  (I'm also guilty of being abnormally long-winded on the forums, but, again, I like discussion with substance.  I figure people don't have to bother reading if they don't want to.  smile  On the other hand, people who like "substance" in discussions might like having someone else who's the same.  (I'm getting self-conscious as this response requires another paragraph....)

    I think on HubPages it's all pretty much a Hubber-by-Hubber basis, and Hub-by-Hub basis too.  Generally, my longer Hubs tend to be among my highest scoring Hubs, but I know that's only because people who click away because they're long probably don't think they deserve to be rated down - only clicked away from.

    Most people on here will say if a Hub has poor writing they REALLY don't want yet more of it.  lol  In general, it's not particularly recommended that Hubs run on longer than they need to (particularly if it's an information, rather than "discussion-type") Hub.  Nobody needs/wants 1200 words on making brownies.  On the other hand, a discussion on something like "dealing with the death of a loved one" can't always be effectively addressed in 800 words.

    One good thing about "comprehensive" Hubs is that are considered unique, and actually can get traffic.  Hubs that are to short are often considered either "not unique" (the same old 400 words that are everywhere else online about the same thing) or even low quality.  So, within some basic guidelines with regard to length, it can be a matter of using good sense and judgment, based on the subject.  With "longies" it can also be a matter of "being brave" and breaking a few rules and seeing what happens.

    Since any reading I do on here is for the reading, rather than for information, I lean toward the Hubs with "substance".  Others aren't going to want to read long Hubs, and that's fine too.  I have some "longies" that have proved to me that conventional wisdom about online reading/writing isn't always right, at least in some cases.

    I think, for the most part, most Hubbers (who care about quality) aim to produce the best writing/best Hub they can, with an eye for whether long or brief is best for the subject, and go with it.  When I've taken the chance and broken the Internet-writing rule, I've often been surprised to see the results.  Then again, I've often not been surprised to know that a lot of people aren't even going to read the thing.  I write because I enjoy writing or because I have something I need/want to write.  I write for money, too, of course, so I know traffic counts.  Still, with some subjects, I don't even care who reads the thing.  I just want/need to write it.  hmm  That may not make sense, but it's what writing is about for some people.   smile

    Every Hub and every Hubber aren't going to be everyone's cup of tea. There are some absolutely, perfect, Hubs that I'm not going to read because I'm not interested in the subject.  All you can do is do your own, best, thing and aim for quality.

                     (whooops, are you still here?  whooops?   Did I lose whooops?    lol  )

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      LOL

      For awhile, I thought I wasn't going to make it all the way through. wheeew.
      But I did it in one sitting. Thanks for typing in your rather write want I need to or write what I want to style. I like it.

      And it does make sense that if one isn't interested in the subject of the hub then it's a no go even if it was perfectly written & regardless who wrote it.

      Thanks Lisa!!!

  11. keira7 profile image59
    keira7posted 14 years ago

    Hello everyone, I only come to HP for reading hubs. I allways take time and read it properly, to umprove my English, but also by respect to the hubber. I cant write a comment if I dont read the all hub. If I cant read it all or dont understand, then I dont write a comment.smile BTW, I do have a lot of admiration for you all for the great hubs that you take time to write. For the moment I prefer to come here to read, I rarely come to forum, because I am very shy and also not that confident with my writing yet. I wish the best to all of you, and I apologise for not coming much to the forum. Bless you all.smile

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      God bless you too keira!
      I thank you for responding to my query and just between you and me, apologies not needed.

  12. Rafini profile image82
    Rafiniposted 14 years ago

    everyone has posted good advice, the main point being - do your own thing, whatever it is you feel most comfortable with.  smile

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Great advise Rafini!
      I'll take that anytime.
      Thanks.

  13. darkside profile image66
    darksideposted 14 years ago

    I'm here to write, not to read. I order books off of Amazon or Barnes & Noble about once a month for my reading pleasure.

    Having said that I do read the occasional hub. There are some excellent writers here. The ones that impress me the most are those that are informative, educational and if they're entertaining then they're usually targeting the world outside of HubPages.

    People who write what they want to write and not what they think their 'myriad' of fans want of them is a good start to having an online writing career.

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Good to know darkside.
      Thanks a lot!

  14. borge_009 profile image69
    borge_009posted 14 years ago

    I take time to read specially when the topic interest me.

    1. whooops profile image58
      whooopsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Ok, thanks borge.
      I am interested, it's just that I have a limited amount of time to read all the ones that I want to read. And an even smaller amount of time left for leaving a comment.

 
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