How do I get more followers?

1. 67

   Missing Linkposted 13 years ago

   Hello,
   
   I've been working hard over the past six months per hubpages and have what I think are a number of nice, interesting hubs.  They are getting read quite a bit but few other hubbers choose to follow me. 
   
   I sometimes will run a query of a topic I'm interested in (like the singer Neil Young for example) and then will follow hubbers who have written a hub per Neil Young...an so on and so forth.
   
   I've only got 8 followers and am a bit perplexed at this.  How  do I attract more?  Does number of followers impact your overall hubscore?  For example, if I had 90 followers would my hubscore be higher?  My score is 89 currently which I think is pretty good.
   
   Thanks much!!

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   1. 60

      Dave Mathewsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I usually go to the "Answers" section, or the forums and seek out people who are topically like minded. I will read one or two of their Hubs and comment and then agree to be a fan and follow their writing. 9 times out of 10, they will do the same.

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2. 87

   WryLiltposted 13 years ago

   To be clear - Followers and hubscore have negligible or no impact on earnings or traffic.
   
   To get more followers you can talk on the forums and chances are that if people find your posts interesting and informative they will visit your profile and from there, follow you.

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3. 80

   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   It took me a while to get enough followers that I didn't feel self-conscious about how few I had.  The four things that helped me were:  following other Hubbers and leaving fan mail for them; reading their Hubs and leaving comments about them; participating in forums by sharing opinions and information; answering questions in the "Answers" section.  But I did all of the above things only when I felt I really had something to say.  Don't fret about it.  You'll get followers. 
   
   But as WryLilt wrote, they have little impact on earnings or traffic.  The one way that having more followers might impact traffic is that more Hubbers would be directly informed when you publish a new Hub and consequently might read it.  But since non-Hubber traffic is actually more valuable, it would help more for you to spend time promoting your Hubs appropriately in other non-HubPages venues.

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   1. 62

      Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Aficionada, it was the same for me.  I was on here quite awhile before I had anything that looked "comparable" to what others who were on here for the same length of time had.    It's the same now.  Others who have been on here as long as I have, and a lot of have been on here for six months, have far more followers.  I never wanted the follower thing (than "fan thing") to be something that didn't happen by "letting Nature take its course" (and Nature's course didn't involve my kind of writing attracting masses of followers quickly, apparently  ). 
      
      You know why I think I now have as many followers as I do?  I know this isn't true for all of them, but once you start to show some signs of doing reasonable well on here the followers start showing up, not because they like your writing, but because they want to see what you do that gets you a decent HubScore, x number of outside traffic visits, or (if you've said you earn anything worth bothering, they're interested in how you do that).    There's not really anything wrong with someone following to see what someone who seems to be doing OK enough does and trying to learn; but  then there are people who follow because they're "up to something" (and that "something" isn't to learn about writing on HubPages    ).
      
      There are sincere followers, and you can kind of tell who they are.  Some, though, you just know really aren't very likely to be interested in what you write about.     You usually spot them too.  You can also spot "fammers" (followers/spammers).    I sincerely appreciate anyone who counts me among the people they're genuinely interested in having on their "list" (when it comes to Hubs they may want to see run by them because of what kind of subjects/writing may be involved); and I only follow people whose writing is something I think is likely to be the kind of writing I enjoy most.  There are some amazing Hubbers with amazingly great Hubs and information, but if it isn't something I'm particularly interested in, I don't follow them.  That's how it's supposed to be, and it's not a reflection of any Hubber, or his writing, that x number of people don't happen to be interested in whatever he writes about.
      
      I've gotten followers because someone liked something I said or did in the forums, but I even want whatever I do on the forums to be for "genuine" reasons - not to get exposure or to get "points" for participating.  I know this is the Internet (and a lot of people aren't "genuine", and I know a lot of people do "public relations" for "business purposes".  I'm here in my spare time, and to get away from business.  I just want whatever I do on here to be as "genuine" and "natural" as possible.  If other people can pile up over a thousand followers in five months somehow, great for them. 
      
      (Now, speaking about a thousand followers and wanting Nature to take its course, and all that.....    I'm a mere 8 followers away from The Big Zero Zero Zero.         For the first time since I've been on HubPages, the thought did cross my mind that I could do what a lot of other people do, which is come on and ask for people to help me round up to that next follower milestone; because, for the first time since I've been on here, I've actually been kind of watching the numbers over the last few days.  But....   I thought, "no, I'll stick with my "Nature-take-it's-course" approach.....      (just saying         )   
      
      Missing Link, after all that...     Yes - as others have said.  Spend some time in the forums (especially where people who may enjoy the subjects you write about may be, but also the main categories), and read and comment on like-minded (or at least people who write about similar stuff) Hubbers' Hubs to start.).   

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4. 60

   Sundaymomentsposted 13 years ago

   Taking the time to read other hubbers work and posting a comment is always a sure way to get followers. Be guinea in your postings. Often times if I like the post I have read; I leave a comment on the post as well as I follow them however I do not just follow them I leave them a comment on how I feel their ability to write as well as their presentation of their hubs compliments are great and a sure way to show community support!
   
   Though from time to time you will find that hubbers will not follow you do not worry. I once was told by Mr. Deeds it is not always about the numbers it is about "Do you enjoy hubbing" get out their enjoy what you are doing; it will then show and others in the community will see you shinning through your work and begin following you on their own.

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   1. 60

      Sundaymomentsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Also if I could be as bold to say that often times when I come onto a hubber that I am thinking about following but yet have children as the Avaiaghter
      
      I often reserve from following them because of the fact of being insecure of the hubber being an adolescent.
      
      Try changing your profile picture as well and see if that helps. Also post your hubs on Face Books you will then hve a higher chance of outside followers and further increase your chances of better traffic.
      
      Further let me give you another suggestion implement a link inviting your traffic to join for by implementing a tracker link onto your profile. Review my profile to see what I am saying and then go to darksides profile he has a couple of hubs on how to implement these trackers.
      
      Also Darkside has many informative hubs on various other great techniques for hubbing success.

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5. 67

   ayurvedaposted 13 years ago

   'Aficionada' and 'Sundaymoments' said it well. I completely agree with them. The way to get more followers is definitely interacting more with others through forums, fan mail and through comments to their interesting hubs. And if you have good hubs you promoting well, followers will come automatically. Try to answer some hub requests as well. All the best..

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6. 66

   nicregiposted 13 years ago

   Hi there!
   
   In order to get more followers, you got to produce good quality articles and at the same time, donig a little promotion from time to time.
   
   The best thing about writing is you need to have your target audience. Focus on who you want to target, and then write something you are comfortable with it.
   
   I wrote about 15 hubs for first 3 weeks and I got virtually zero followers. After I start backlink and promotiong and continue to produce more hubs, I get more followers and yes it all takes time and efford.
   
   Just focus on producing goot stuff and followers will come by
   
   I did wrote a few hubs on followers and creating fan base and if you have free time, drop by and take a look. Hope they works for you

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   1. 76

      sofsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Missing  Link - I hardly did anything different, i just got followers by writing my hubs. 
      I interact on the forums, followers come along,  I don't follow people randomly, I check people who write on similar topics and follow them, this works well for me.
      Don't worry as follower actually don't  effect your hub scores or your earnings. Focus on writing what people want to read and you will be doing well for yourself.

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      1. 66

         nicregiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Well said! Most importantly, avoid simply adding people

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7. 0

   Website Examinerposted 13 years ago

   I'd suggest changing the profile picture. I always had difficulties with that. One kid smiling at me demonstratively, the other one staring away as if in a trance. I'm sure they're nice kids in real life, but that picture isn't working as far as I'm concerned. Besides, who would want to follow your kids?

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   1. 62

      Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, WE, I'd disagree with the avatar thing.  I'd rather follows kids than follow one of the pictures of some air-brushed model people use for avatars in the hopes of getting followers.  I say, "leave the avatar".  I don't think the cute little kids are at all a factor.  I think missing link just hasn't been "out there" enough.     (Not saying I'm right.  Only offering a different take on the avatar matter.    )

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      1. 67

         Missing Linkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks!  I am relieved to know I am not the only one that noticed those comments. I don't mind someone opining that having a child or children as an avatar is a bad idea.  However, it was some of the extra commentary that hurt as I love my children more than words can say.

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         1. 0

            Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I object to using children for profile pictures in general. I stand by my "extra commentary." However, that was not intended to be hurtful but to explain and make you aware of how others may perceive it. Without me telling you my observations, how could you hope to learn anything? I may be the only one, or I may not be.

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8. 70

   thisisoliposted 13 years ago

   I would definitely agree with spending more time in the forums.  Don't go around adding people and expect them to add you back in return.  Joining groups can help, but the best way to gain followers is to become a part of the community on here.

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9. 67

   Missing Linkposted 13 years ago

   Wow, thanks everybody!  Your feedback and suggestions have really helped me.  Thanks again and best wishes!

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