Why do people follow you?

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   weholdthesetruthsposted 14 years ago

   I know, odd question.   I don't have a LOT of followers, in fact, I have rather few, but in some cases, I have wondered why.  I have read over the profiles of a number of my followers, and notice that we share minimal or no interests, our hubs are on different topics, and despite the fact they follow me, I never get a comment from them, nor do I get any communication from them.
   
   I'm not complaining, it's just one of those mysteries that perhaps someone would have an explanation for.   Anyone?

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      prettydarkhorseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I don't know why they follow me.  if I am interested to follow a hubber I usually read three or more hubs of them at random, then I decide to follow them.

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2. 67

   darksideposted 14 years ago

   They each have their own reasons. As do I.
   
   My reason being is that I wish to have notification of the new hubs of those I respect for what they say and how they say it.

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      weholdthesetruthsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That part I can understand.   But I suspect they don't care much for what I write.   In fact, I know some of the "followers" never even read a single hub. 
      
      Maybe my question could be better expressed by asking "What's in it for me to randomly follow other people?"

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         darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Perhaps 1 in 10 might reciprocate.
         
         And if you try following hundreds you could see your HubberScore plunge.

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            weholdthesetruthsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Ohh...  Is it just ego, or is there some reason to want to have followers?   Does it benefit you in some way? Seriously, I'm not trying to sound stupid, but I guess I'm a little out of touch with the hubpages culture and so I really do need to ask.

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      Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Do You Mean the ones that carry Your Trackers?

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         ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         That's a bit of a snidey comment, a bit cynical in fact. I'm sure that Darkside enjoys seeing his trackers pay dividends for him but he has never been shy to share either his techniques or his referral stats.
         
         Do I hint a slight jealousy? Is a hubber not allowed to succeed because you haven't? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick altogether?

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         darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I'm not sure what you mean by that.

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            Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Then please take in the context it was said in... in relation to what You were saying DS... Instead of considering it in a negative sense as MrKett would wrongly imply it was given in!

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               darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I still don't understand what you mean.
               
               I'm not sure how people I follow has a connection with referral trackers, unless you mean I follow only those who have referred by me. Is that it?
               
               I'm just asking for clarification, because I still may have missed the mark.

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   Csjun89posted 14 years ago

   I have no idea too!
   But sometimes they give a reason in their fanmail, like they like your hubs!

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4. 69

   Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

   For me... I appreciate HOW someone writes primarily, their creativity, originality and confidence and then WHAT they write and whether they genuinely know what they are talking about!

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   simeonvisserposted 14 years ago

   Many indeed don't post comments on my hubs. But some do so that's good.

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   Mikeydoesposted 14 years ago

   Seems like some people follow anyone they can to hopefully get follow backs.(dumb imo)
   
   Other people don't worry about it.
   
   Most people just stay active and develop relationships with other members.
   
   I usually follow people after I rocgonize them, but I always forget that I can follow. Either that or they are always very helpful and well rounded that it would be dumb not to follow them.

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7. 59

   Monisajdaposted 14 years ago

   I choose to follow hubbers who seem to have something of value in their hubs, that way I can enjoy reading their new hubs. I tend to go and read some of their work and comment. As for the ones who follow me, I think some of them were just fishing to get me follow them in return. Some perhpas liked what I wrote.

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   recommend1posted 14 years ago

   People follow me because I am pretty 
   I follow people because I like their hubs or their forum comments.

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   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   I follow people only because I think it looks like they write the kind of stuff I enjoy reading.  For me (at least for my reading purposes on HubPages), that's generally "all-purpose/generalized" writing (as opposed to writing about one subject). Then again, if I were to go out and buy a Buick for myself; I might follow the Hubs of someone who writes about nothing but Buicks.

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    vnusthamposted 14 years ago

    I follow someone cause I like to read their hub.. so I hope everyone thinks as same me

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    Mark Ewbieposted 14 years ago

    My latest follower fanned me and said great hubs or some such crap.  They hadn't read anything.  I checked their hubtivity and sure enough they had followed loads of people within a very short time.
    
    Now without wishing to give offence (oh not much), I'd like to be able to reply to followers like that and ask them to f--- off.
    
    Why so angry?  Because it's insulting and meaningless.  I am trying to write here, and part of the feedback comes from people genuinely liking what you do, and genuinely commenting. It's important when you are learning - like I am.
    
    Fake stuff reduces everything, including the good ones, to a pathetic sub Facebook level playground nonsense.
    
    Oh, I deleted the fan mail of course.  Why do I want moronic rubbish like that from a shallow idiot on my page?  So I can give him a back link, or follow him back?
    
    Yeah right.

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    paradigmsearchposted 14 years ago

    "Why do people follow you?"
    
    Morbid curiosity?

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       paradigmsearchposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Still morbid curiosity…

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    Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

    Ryankett.. you're a funny guy!  I just love the way you continuously trip on your ego!  (Especially when you try to give the impression that you understand Kiwis, their sense of humor, the relevance of the underarm bowling event, or the context of how beers are poured over eachother's heads!!) - Facts are mate, you are a million miles away from what you are talking about. 
    As far as 'getting the wrong end of the stick' as you put it... is concerned.... You didn't.....  you merely sat on it.. and swallowed it sideways! 
    I would say that the 'snidey' comment made... was by you and in relation to my success! I'm pretty sure 'my success' with a poetry bias shouldn't be measured by my readership from 160 countries, #1 of 2,300,000,000 on a specific subject (that you write about), the fact that my PR is exactly the same as yours, (without the SEO, Keyword Research, Backlinking and Google stroking!) and I did that with POETRY...  Mate! Be thankful that I don't write for Adsense income.... If, or when I do, then perhaps, your 'envy' might have a bigger stick to contend with !   
    Really, really sorry that I don't Follow You RK... Hell... I hope you can still breath with that stick in the way!!   

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       ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I was referring to Darkside's success, with referral trackers, as were you. PageRank is irrelevant and neither would I attempt to build it with a non-monetised page, I didn't know that you wrote poetry because I have never read it, and as far as I am aware there has to be an attempt at humour in order for me to sense it. I doubt that my failure to sense your humour has anything whatsoever to do with your nationality, particularly as I never struggled to noticed EagleKiwi's attempts, and much more to do with the fact that you simply are not funny.

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          Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          I think we both Know what Your Problem is Jamie mate!
          Perhaps it would be best to remove your stick, before you attempt to crap on those that don't stroke your ego!
          I find your 'honesty' quite questionable at times - If you've never read my work..
          Then Why would you use it as part of your link building? You seem to have a short memory when you selectively call for it RK
          If you had actually read my work you would also know that I'm not motivated by money, success or ego, like you! - I don't have to be... been there done that.. mate! In 4 different industries!
          Now I'm writing... That's a big change from training and inspiring young bulls like you RK!
          Some of them will always want to prove themselves to older bulls that really don't give a toss...
          Shouldn't you be doing married stuff RK? Instead of wasting your time in the hope that I fancy you...   As I said.. you're a funny guy
          And this fencing.. is tiresome and certainly not a positive example of how senior hubbers should act, is it?
          It doesn't therefore merit further discussion - if you've got a problem, I invited you a year ago to simply email me, you have my personal email address... I'm as interested in sparring as I am as being a spare dick at a wedding Ryan!

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             ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             I am very interested in hearing how I have used your work for my "link building".
             
             You appear to be referring to my now deleted '50 Hubs chosen by 50 Hubbers' series. Perhaps I should clarify.
             
             F-I-F-T-Y Hubs
             
             F-I-F-T-Y Hubbers.
             
             Your hub was selected by Susana S not by me, for evidence of this just head over to here: http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/20220?page=2
             
             Seeing as the Hubpage that she chose 'How to Create Immortality Within Your Lifetime' isn't even a poem, I can only conclude that you are talking out of your big A.
             
             Jeez, your the one showing youself to have the inflated opinion of yourself pearls, imagining a world in which everybody reads your poetry.
             
             But fine, all good, you think that I have an inflated ego. I can take that, no biggy, I have money to make and poetry to not read.

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14. 71

    Beth100posted 14 years ago

    tsk tsk Ryan, PD and DS!!! Thought I was in the wrong forum AGAIN!!!  Stop confusing me!
    
    
     
    
    I haven't the faintest idea, but I follow for several reasons.  Originality.  Humor.  Accuracy.  Enjoyment.  Knowledge.  Relevancy to what I am looking for.  Some are friends. 
    
    

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       darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       There was a little flair up there, but I promise I was not involved.

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          Beth100posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          You've redeemed yourself in  my eyes.   
          
          @ logic -- ha ha ha  what if I changed my photo?  would u defan me then? 

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             logic,commonsenseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Absolutely, positively, uhh, not!
             And miss out on one of the most intelligent hubbers?  Not a chance!

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       logic,commonsenseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       We all know it's the bikini! 
       Whoops, I mean the articles, I only read the articles!

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       Stevennix2001posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Well I can't speak for anyone else here, but I always followed Beth because she's one of kindest and sweetest people that i ever met.  Plus, she writes a lot of interesting hubs too.  In fact, if it wasn't for her, I never would've realized how much rich history that Canada has, nor would I have learned that there's more to Megan Fox behind her lackluster "Transformer" film performances.

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    manlypoetrymanposted 14 years ago

    It's because of the tractor.

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       paradigmsearchposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       As it should be.

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    Pcunixposted 14 years ago

    Many years back we were on vacation and became slightly lost - I think it was in DC. 
    
    We were on foot, so I struck off, saying "This way!".  My wife and daughters hesitated.  The youngest piped up "Don't follow Dad - he has no idea where he's going!"
    
    Solid advice to this day and something I would like to tell anyone tempted to follow me.

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    logic,commonsenseposted 14 years ago

    Because I'm the Pied Piper and I'll show you where it's at!

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    Stevennix2001posted 14 years ago

    I typically follow people that either write about the same things that I'm passionate about, and/or I find their hub topics rather interesting to read.  Another reason I have to follow people is when I consider them very close friends to me on hubpages.  Although in the case for some, it's a bit of both.
    
    
    Which ones fall in that realm of both, I won't say, as I wouldn't want to hurt anybody's feelings.

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    ryankettposted 14 years ago

    To be honest I just follow people when they are new and show a lot of potential, or established and are clearly good hubbers. And then there are people who I just like in the forum. I had a clear out recently of people who left the site, no sense in following anybody who isn't going to produce anything for me to read!

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    ediggityposted 14 years ago

    People follow me because I smell good.

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21. 69

    Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

    I Smell Good To
    
    @RK I Don't have a Bigass A... My buns are slim and tight!
    
    As I said.. chill... not interested in going round and round in a slogging match with any Wuckfits on the net mate! Why would you expect me to make an exception here?
    
    Don't get me wrong.. I am as competent as you in being arrogant - but I think there's more to me than that... which perhaps you are wrongfully presenting as inflated!
    I have nothing to prove to anyone, as I said... I don't need to!
    There lies a relevant difference between us RK.
    
    FYI the ability to write poetry demonstrates the nature and the ability of the author. For 100s of years that was the measurement of a writer. Were you trying to rubbish every poet on earth, with your comment, or just me?
    
    Let me remind you that YOU made this a personal confrontation, when you chose to attack me on a post I made to another hubber.. not you!
    
    Don't mistake the genuine confidence of someone as being an inflated opinion of themselves RK - it is merely the strength of having the required self assured attitude that one must have to achieve top results.... irrespective of whether they write poetry or manage a football team or strive to be confident.
    For Someone who promotes themselves to be ambitious, smart and hard working - as You Do... Surely you understand what I'm saying?
    
    Whether the world chooses to read my poetry or not shouldn't enter the conversation... perhaps it is merely my confident nature that readers from 160 different countries have come to my pages to experience? Whatever....
    At the end of the day... Unlike You, I feel quite humbled that so many would consider my words relevant! I'm actually wondering why someone as smart as You RK, who has Never read them, considers them to be so totally Irrelevant?

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       ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Nope, not rubbishing poetry in the slightest, if my modest apartment was to be featured on MTV Cribs they would no doubt note the large number of poetry books on my book cabinet. You clearly don't understand a word that I write, so I see no point in writing anything further for your benefit. I am not knocking your poetry, I haven't read it; maybe I will some time. And I would have no problem complimenting it and rating it up if it I enjoy it. The fact remains that I haven't read it, I can't judge something which I haven't read, and neither would the judgement call of one individual either detract or enhance the end product.

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          Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          There is No Benefit in this! Unless this post represents an apology on your part, for Elderly Abuse.. in which case I suppose that I will accept it  

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             ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             It depends just how old you are Pearls? You would have be at least 65 to evoke a small amount of guilt on my part! Unless you don't quite make that threshold but have a suitable sob story to accompany it, like a severe terminal illness or non-self inflicted loneliness. Unless you have a severe vulnerability I will assume that you are a big enough boy now to take a handbag or two, just as I am too

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                Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                OMG Man... Conditions and Handbags.. No wonder my Great-Great-Grandad and his mates kicked your butts at Hastings!
                
                Did You Learn Nothing from the arrow in your bosses eye, or the stick in your tights? 

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                   ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                   Your great-great-grandad was William the Conqueror then?
                   
                   And wait, your great-great-grandad was alive a millenium ago
                   
                   Hey, the French had to win something didn't they? My part of England was Anglo-Saxon before 1066, shame the French didn't put up such a fight when faced with the Germans 70 years ago isn't it?
                   
                   Of course, you don't actually know anything about my heritage; you certainly don't seem to know that one side of my family tree can be traced back to Spain and that the other can be traced back to Ireland.... and I am talking around a century, rather than a millenium.

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    dablufoxposted 14 years ago

    I think there's a bit of a technique to attracting more followers and more comments, votes.
    
    Here's me taking at swing at this question.
    
    I try to use language that creates a more personal reading atmosphere, not to formal in fact as light hearted as possible but I also try and demonstrate empathy and that isn't all that easy for me to do as a lot of the time I can have the subtlety of a wet brick through a plate glass window, anyways I digress.
    
    I try and use the word 'you' make things more personal and I try provide genuine value, even if I don't know what the hell I'm writing about.
    
    Also its good once you get that first comment to respond to the comment right away!
    
    So when the next person comes along they feel that there is actually a real person behind the words and the hub hasn't been abandoned.
    
    Also I like to add some humor wherever I can, I'm rather good at acting the clown, frankly I don't have to act at all!
    
    Also I break up my text with 'stuff', images videos (my own) even products, I try to break text blocks into digestible chunks to give the reader a momentary breather so that they don't skip or skim content and miss any juicy bits.
    
    Finally I add a small image on the bottom asking for some feedback or opinion.
    
    Well that's about it. keep in mind that I constantly experiment but I do seem to be attracting a healthy amount of comments and new followers in a relatively short time.
    
    I mean I have had my account for nearly two years but have only been using it properly for the last few months.
    
    Anyway I hope I have given you some food for thought.
    
    dablufox out!

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    Beth100posted 14 years ago

    @ PD and RK -- oh you two!!  if you don't stop this nonsense, I'm going to have to take my handbag and give you each a whap to the sides of your heads!  Two great writers who are wasting their breath and time -- and over what?!?  Nothing that matters, that's what!  You're both better than this. 
    
    
    @ Steven -- Awe, thank you!  You're almight sweet yourself.  I haven't been around much, but your comment picked me up.  Been having a bad week... maybe I should write a hub about it, but then no one would be too interested in reading about my bad week. 
    
    @ logic --  dang! I'm glad you won't defan me!    Thank you for your wonderful compliment.  If you could see me, you would see me blushing all over. 

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       logic,commonsenseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I would like to see that.  Especially the blushing ALL over part!

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          Beth100posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          ha ha ha  I'm sure you would!

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             logic,commonsenseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Just make sure the pics are in color......so I can see the blushing.

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       Stevennix2001posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I wouldn't mind reading it.  Besides, it would give me an excuse to think about you.

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