Proper Etiquette for Followers?

1. 59

   Alessia Amnesiaposted 13 years ago

   Last night I had 12 followers. Now I only have 11. I am wondering if one person decided to stop following me because I am doing something wrong, so I have a few questions.
   
   1. If someone follows you, are you supposed to follow them back?
   -If this is the case, I feel that it would be simple to gain mass amounts of followers. I could just hit follow on every hub I visited.
   
   2. Is it wrong for me to want followers because they enjoy my writing and not because I have followed them as well?
   -I would prefer that people followed me because they enjoy my writing and not because I am returning the favor.
   
   3. If a person has written, say, 20 hubs and I only find 1 or 2 interesting, am I supposed to follow them?
   -I'm trying very hard to find interesting people to follow. However, I'm only 20 years old and it seems that my interests are somewhat different than the older community, which is what HubPages seems to be made up of. And I DO comment on the hubs I particularly enjoyed, as well as rate them up.
   
   4. Is it wrong to offer constructive criticism?
   -I have received a total of 2 constructive comments, which I very much prefer to the comments like "Good hub. Follow me?" And I really appreciated those comments, as I like to try to improve myself. I have run across a few hubs I felt were lacking, in either content or grammatical skills, but have been afraid to offer any constructive criticism, as I don't want them taking it the wrong way.
   
   5. Can you point me in the direction of some hubbers that have topics I may find interesting?
   -I enjoy reading about Wicca, Paganism, new age religions, serial killers, all natural beauty products, and the paranormal. I have other interests as well. These are just what my main searches are.
   
   Thanks in advance!
   -Alessia

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   1. 66

      RKHenryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I think you are reading to much into it.

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   2. 89

      Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      No. Some people treat the "follow" system as more of a "friending" system like Facebook, but that's not what it's for. Don't feel any pressure to do so!  I have a lot of followers but I only follow writers whom I genuinely admire.
      
      The point of following is that you're supposed to read, and occasionally comment on, the Hubs of writers you follow.  You can't do that if you follow too many.
      
      
      
      I sometimes do, but I always finish the comment by saying "please feel free to delete this comment after reading it".  Normally, comments stay on your Hub forever.  A "constructive criticism" comment becomes irrelevant if the writer takes it on board and revises the Hub accordingly.
      
      And I never say "great Hub". If I can't leave a meaningful comment, I don't comment at all.

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      1. 69

         Ivorwenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         If there is a glaring mistake, like a missing ingredient in a recipe I want to try, I will leave a comment to that effect.  I try to also leave a positive comment first (one they would have gotten anyway), as to why I like the article, then leave a second one with my question and make sure that there is nothing in the second comment that would make a person keep it.

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         1. 76

            livewithrichardposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            This is what I do too when commenting. Also, if I find something I totally disagree with or am offended by, I don't leave a comment at all and I may even flag it instead.

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   3. 59

      yoshi97posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      1. No ... Hubpages penalizes your author score if you fan everyone in site, so it's not worth the trouble to do so. If that were the goal then there would be an auto-reciprication on the site, whereas when you fanned someone they would automatically be fanned back to you.
      
      2. You definitely want followers who enjoy your writing (over those who fan to get followers) as these fans give you a better idea of whether or not your new hubs are any good, by the response you receive when you write a new one.
      
      3. You should only follow those people who pique your interest. If you fan someone just to be friendly you might be helping that person's ego, but as you would then never intend to read their works you would be indirectly sabotaging their best means of gaining feedback.
      
      4. Constructive criticism is always a good thing, but know that some hubbers might not like it. If someone rebukes your criticism then it is wise not to try to steer that person again. Otherwise, it is important to note that criticisms offered in a positive manner are normally received as such.
      
      5. I will point you up above to the search function where you can search for hubs on your topics of interest and determine who writes to your tastes.
      
      I hope this helps.

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   4. 89

      Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Alessia, if you use the "Search" box, you'll find plenty of Hubs on those topics. I find the best method is to simply type the term in the search box and hit "search" (without touching the dropdown box).  Then when the results come up, I click on "Hubs", "Hubbers" etc.  For some reason, I seem to get more results that way than using the proper Advanced Search.

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   5. 61

      Eric Graudinsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Losing a follower is nothing to be concerned about.
      Trying to second guess people reasons for doing things will drive you crazy.
      
      Just write what you like about, and take part in the forums.
      
      If you show some of your personality, people will recognise you, read your articles, and follow you.
      Sometimes they won't like something that you write, and will unfollow.
      
      That's their loss!
      Really, it's no big deal, and nothing to be concerned about.
      
      cheers,
      Eric G.

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2. 59

   mpurcell10posted 13 years ago

   Not sure I know the right answer for you but how I handle it is this. I follow who I want to. If someone is following me I hope it is because they like my writing. You have to use your own convictions on what you feel is right. If you want to follow someone than do it if not don't.
   Don't worry about how many followers you have just enjoy what you are doing.

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   1. 60

      tobey100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Agreed, enjoy what you're doing's the main thing.  Follow who you want but you better follow me....I'm a pagan, new age, serial killer that sell beauty products.

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3. 76

   livewithrichardposted 13 years ago

   no on all counts, follow the people you want to and you have no responsibility to follow anyone at all.
   
   
   
   Ryankett has a series of hubs on Serial Killers, not sure about your other favs.

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   1. 59

      Alessia Amnesiaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      No on constructive criticism as well?
      
      And, thanks, I will look them up

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      1. 76

         livewithrichardposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         No it's not wrong to offer constructive criticism, just be sure the author is seeking it before you offer it. In my view, if the author places a comments module in their hub then they are and the critique should be on the hub and not in a forum post.
         
         Stay active in the forums, continue to write and you will find followers. Just don't go on a follower spree hoping to get return followers. Veteran hubbers will tell you the same thing.

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4. 86

   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   alessia, simply follow those who you enjoy. it looks like many lost a fan yesterday, the person probably left.
   
   if you do a search in topics, you will find articles on the subjects you're interested in.  right off the top, I can think of:
   relache, lyricsingray, green lotus, tatjana-mihaela...
   
   there are many with your interests, not always in the forums.
   enjoy!!

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5. 0

   Writer Riderposted 13 years ago

   I haven't been offered any type of constructive criticism. I've been offered flaming insults. Usually after a great compliment.

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6. 87

   IzzyMposted 13 years ago

   I think constructive criticism is best done either by email, or in the appropriate forum where an author asks for it.
   For example, if you come across a hub that contains typos or spelling errors, and you point that out to the author in the comments section, and the typos/errors are then corrected, your comment remains to be viewed and to the puzzlement of new viewers who will not see them (because of course they've been corrected)!
   
   I haven't actually done it yet myself, but there are times I feel like saying to someone that their hub needs more input, or something or other really needs changed.
   
   I think email would be the best way to do it.

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   1. 0

      Audreveaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree. Pointing out spelling errors or other mistakes publicly comes off as really snotty. People don't then know whether to think you're being helpful or just trying to show how clever you are.
      
      The nice things you do where nobody can see them count more in my book. The only exception is where it's a common error and could help lots of other people too.

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7. 0

   Writer Riderposted 13 years ago

   1. Depends on your motive. Mine was get followers who would then be interested in reading my book because I fanned them
   
   2.I don't care what a motive of a fan is if they fan me. Irrelevant.
   
   3. You can follow whoever you want.

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8. 73

   relacheposted 13 years ago

   Alessia,
   
   The only etiquette advice I can offer about followers is don't worry about them if they come or go.  That's their prerogative.  As for who you decide to follow, my main criteria is that I like a lot to nearly all of what they write.
   
   If you follow someone, you are under no obligation to comment or give them feedback.  Followers is just a list of people who are going to maybe get notified when an author makes a new Hub, and that's only if they've chosen to receive such notifications from HubPages.

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   1. 0

      lyricsingrayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      i agree.

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9. 68

   mega1posted 13 years ago

   I consider quite carefully before I follow anyone - I have to like their writing enough to get those reminders in my email whenever they write something new  - well actually its one email a day with everybody I follow who has something new listed - but still its a lot to follow - so I want to read who I want to read and I don't care about the rest of you bums!  just kidding - and I don't keep track of who follows me or doesn't - don't even look at that because they have the same freedom I have.  I count on the comments to keep me informed about when I am doing good - no one seems to want to tell me when something is awful, so I just figure if there are no comments people really didn't like it.  Chalk one up!

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10. 85

    embitcaposted 13 years ago

    I just follow writers who write stuff I want to read.
    
    As for constructive criticism, I'm always happy for others to increase my store of knowledge so if there's additional info that would contribute to a hub of mine, I'm happy to have it. Same thing if I've committed a glaring error. But corrections for grammar and spelling are just irritating.  Most of those kinds of errors are minor and extremely unimportant.

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11. 70

    darksideposted 13 years ago

    Ignore the number of people who are following you. They have their own various reasons, motives and agendas.
    
    Write what you want to write. If you write for pleasure, so be it. You'll never be able to please all the people all the time, so please yourself first. If they truly are following your work then you won't have to try hard to be liked, because you're just being yourself. If you write for profit then who's following you has even less bearing.
    
    When you start getting hung up on 'loyal fans' and catering to them you'll end up becoming a sheep rather than marching to the beat of your own drum. You'll delete hubs, you'll second guess yourself, your ego will overshadow any talent you may have had and you'll lose sight of the real goal.

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12. 93

    habeeposted 13 years ago

    If I'm going to offer constructive criticism, I prefer to do that in a private email. I don't want them to see me as a know-it-all English teacher.

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       tobey100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Hey habee, if you are a know-it-all english teacher, by all means, spread the wealth.  I know I could use it!

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    2. 89

       Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I hesitate to send an email because that reveals my email address - and besides, some Hubbers may not get the mail. Usually I'm not commenting on grammar or spelling.  My "constructive comments" are more likely to be along the lines of "some photos would make this good Hub great" or advice about improving layout.

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    3. 61

       The Ropeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       This is definately my preferred mode of operation.  Anyone on the internet can view the comments so an offer of constructive criticism should be a private communique'
       
       However, each to his/her own on following etiquette.  I personally follow only those who I truly want to read.

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13. 93

    habeeposted 13 years ago

    Tobey, I used to be a know-it-all English teacher, but I think I've forgetten most of it! I blame it on my medications. lol!!

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14. 76

    Cagsilposted 13 years ago

    Proper Etiquette for Followers?
    
    There is not any proper etiquette for followers.
    
    There is no wrong or right way, to deal with followers.
    
    You follow whomever you choose to follow.
    
    That simple.

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15. 60

    blue dogposted 13 years ago

    if you don't follow darkside you should at least read his hubs.  more great nformation is available from:
    
    ryankett (as suggested)
    mark knowles
    dale mazurek
    
    and a host of others.
    
    regarding your #3, stick around here a bit longer and you'll be retracting that "older community" bit.  guaranteed.

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    1. 60

       blue dogposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       and sunforged.  don't forget sunforged.  knew i'd forget.

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16. 84

    donotfearposted 13 years ago

    Why can't we follow who we want for a season...then if we decide to stop following that person, for whatever reason or another, then stop following? Simple as that. I wouldn't take it personally. Maybe somebody didn't like something you wrote. Who knows....

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17. 75

    AEvansposted 13 years ago

    The answers to questions 1,2,3 are No the answer to question 4 is Yes you can offer Constructive Criticism and to point in the direction of some hubbers who write about Wicca etc. define your search in the bar on the upper right hand corner of the page and you should be able to find those hubbers who write about those things. There are all age grops from 18-90 and you will find growth amongst every age. Everybody has something to share on Hubpages.

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