How do you approach participation on HP?

1. 67

   Arachneaposted 10 years ago

   Because my time for being online is so limited, I have to use the time I have allotted for virtual interaction wisely. First for me, I think it important to visit the pages of those who have visited mine and commented on mine (that's the only way I know they've visited). This also because I'm interested in what they've written and am interested that they're interested in something I've written. I learn other things too as I visit. Then I like to visit the pages of those who have followed me. This is not unlike someone with whom you pass the time on one occasion or another after having just met, say at a function. Then I like to go through the recent posts by other Hubbers for which I've gotten a notification. While I'm tooling around on HP, I also keep a watch on the feed. As I read comments by people on other Hubbers' hubs, I visit other hubbers who have made comments therein which have caught my attention. While I'm working on hubs, though, I watch the feed mostly. The hub hop is another way I find writers to visit I've not visited before.

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      relacheposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      My online time is really important as that's where I make my living.  I also have a lot of stuff to do offline too.  I bold highlighted the parts of your process that I do myself.  The rest has, in my eight-year experience here, not brought about any returns on investment of time and energy.

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   2. 79

      kenneth averyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Arachnea,
      I have to agree with you. My fibromyalgia (and other physical ailments) prevent me from being online as much as I used to be--so in the evening hours is my time, possibly three to four hours, to catch-up on comments, respond to new followers and read others' hubs.
      I love HP. It is NOT a perfect site, but which one is? But I had rather have THE FOLLOWERS THAT I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH than leave HP and roam around endlessly and end-up dissatisfied with the next site I hit.
      Peace to one and all.

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   3. 61

      lafleurdeplumeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I've also done that... it's a much slower social media tool than say Facebook and Twitter, but the in-depth content has been fabulous!  I also try to reply to a message or ask a question everyday.

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      1. 66

         Zainab Tarawaliposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I think that's key right there - to do it everyday. I have a tight schedule, so it's important that I make the most out of the time I do have to interact on Hub Pages. It can be distracting though since there's so many good articles to read!

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   4. 84

      Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The first question you need to ask yourself is:  what is my goal?   
      
      If your goal is primarily to earn income online, then your current behaviour is extremely inefficient!  Networking on HubPages is almost completely irrelevant to earning income, as LiveWithRichard has recently demonstrated.  He is a long-established Hubber, but recently opened a new account with which he does NO reading, following or commenting.   It is earning better than his established account! 
      
      Because there is such a good community on HubPages, it's very common to make the mistake that socialising is essential to success:  but that has never been the case, and some of our highest-earning members barely participate in the community side of the site at all.
      
      And before anyone accuses me of "not supporting other Hubbers", bear in mind that 90% of our readers come from outside HubPages.  The small number of views that come from other writers is good for motivation, but doesn't make any significant contribution to a Hubber's success. 
      
      If your goal is to enjoy being part of a writers' community, then it really does not matter how you decide to socialise.

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      1. 68

         relacheposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         This isn't a new discovery. This has been a known and reported fact for years.

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         1. 84

            Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            We know that, but I think many newbies don't believe it.   The community aspects of HubPages are just too obvious and tempting. 
            
            I think Richard's experience is the first time we've seen the same Hubber try approaching HubPages in different ways on two different accounts, which gives a clear comparison.

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            1. 76

               MarieLBposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               I have to agree with #Marisa Wright.  It is not easy being a new Hubber to read everything on the site.  In the meantime you are wandering aimlessly trying to get a handle on things.
               
               Something like this post that came up, can shed light for those who have not yet gone through the mill of learning all those little things that make the exercise easy.
               
               Personally, I love the friendly attitude of most hubbers and it is what keeps me here.  It may not be the same as facebook and twitter, and it is not meant to be.  But the friendliness and support DO produce results, in an indirect kind of way.  It is what spurs one on, and keeps them at it until they succeed.
               
               Google is famous for the way it sweetens its workers' lives with things that have nothing to do with work. They get - and retain the best minds
               
               I hope HP remains this kind of friendly work place.

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2. 87

   Jodahposted 10 years ago

   That's pretty much the same as what I do Arachnea.

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3. 99

   chef-de-jourposted 10 years ago

   Yep, I do all of these things, not as often I'd like but I'm getting better at time management whilst here on HP. I hope!
   The other things I do:
   * look for new writers or new hubs or writers I've somehow missed by going to hub categories I'm interested in.
   * If I see an answer to a question that interests me I'll pop to the profile of that writer.
   * On stats I look for hubbers who have visited but perhaps not left a comment.

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   1. 79

      kenneth averyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      NOTE TO THOSE IN THIS FORUM:
      Just a friendly notice that when I do visit other hubbers works, I DO leave a comment about their works. Whomever would read another writer's hubs, then up and leave without a word to me is selfish or too good to be humane.
      And I strive to think of others more than I do myself.
      I pray you all have a night of peace and happiness.

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      1. 87

         Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Totally agree Kenneth. If I get a notification that someone I follow has written a new hub I check the title. If it sounds like something I am interested in I will read it and always leave a comment. I follow over 300 people so have to pick and choose what hubs I read otherwise would never have time for anything else.

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         1. 79

            kenneth averyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Jodah, and all of My Followers . . .you are all a class act.

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   2. 0

      Snakesmumposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Was just wondering where in Stats. you can find who has visited your hub, and not left a comment.   As a newbie here, I am still finding out how things work, and would love to know this.  Thanks!
      
      I do try to visit a few hubs each day, and participate in the forums a little, time  permitting.   It's good to catch up with others here.

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   3. 82

      Wednesday-Elfposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting! Can  you explain the stats more fully, @chef-de-jour?  I didn't notice (or realize) that there was a place where you could see who 'visited', even if they didn't leave a comment (former Squid; newbie HP member...) Thanks!
      
      PS: I see I'm not alone in asking this question... LOL. Should have read the whole thread before posting.

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      1. 99

         chef-de-jourposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Go to any hub, you'll see edit...stats...delete at the very top left hand corner. Click on stats and day, week and month plus some other titles appear. Click on day, week or month to see traffic sources. It's pretty accurate but doesn't catch all sources.

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         1. 87

            Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I think the question was really asking how could you see what individual hubbers had visited your hubs and read them without leaving comments, rather than the traffic sources chef. Forgive me if I'm wrong.

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         2. 87

            Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Forget that comment I just made...what you suggested shows the names of the hubbers who have visited. I didn't know that Thanks.

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            1. 96

               LongTimeMotherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               No, it doesn't show the names of hubbers who visited and didn't comment. It shows traffic sources ... therefore the hubbers who appear in your stats probably have related hubs. Someone reading one of their hubs clicked on the link to your hub (at the bottom). The hubber themselves may not know you exist.

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4. 84

   CassandraCaeposted 10 years ago

   I use my feed and I check it on my phone in the am when I am waking up and doing my Morning social routine.  I have a cup of coffee and fumble on my phone.   I might write a bubble at Bubblews.   I am on the east coast so if I am up of the morning between 5 am and 8 am I have a really good chance of catching all my friends across the pond.   I fiddle on my phone in the evening while I watch TV with my social stuff too a little.   I don't go through people that have commented or people that have visited me.   Except to follow them.   After I follow them any of there new or shared content will come up in that feed and if I want to read it I do it in during my social times.   I try to avoid other people and articles during the day when I get a chunk of my work done online and research/classwork.  Oh and I try to search for info I need for other things in my life on hubpages directly before I use Google.  That's how I socialize and it has seemed to work wee for me so far.

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5. 84

   CassandraCaeposted 10 years ago

   Also the groups on Facebook expose me to a lot of writers.

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6. 84

   WriteAngledposted 10 years ago

   Whether you visit other hubs or not makes barely any difference to the success or failure of your own hubs.
   Personally, I don't bother as I have better things to do with my time.

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7. 82

   goatfuryposted 10 years ago

   I really, really love the notifications we get via email every day.  I see when each and every person I'm following creates a new Hub, go and read it (or at least browse), and if it's worthy of a comment, make one.  Try to be as constructive as possible, but genuinely get something out of the hub. 
   
   I love coming here whenever you guys make posts too, and make my own (but only around once a week, whenever something good comes up).  My time is also really limited and valuable to me, so I like to make the most of it.
   
   Great question.

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8. 58

   DealForALivingposted 10 years ago

   I'm with you Kenneth. I don't start reading a hub unless I intend to read it all the way through and leave a comment, even if it's short. We should be encouraging one another to keep writing.

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9. 96

   LongTimeMotherposted 10 years ago

   I live off the grid in the Australian bush and use a satellite for internet connection - slow and limited compared to living where broadband is available. I still try to stay in touch, but much of internet time these days is devoted to filing and following up DMCAs.

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      Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Same here LongTimeMother, Satellite Internet here as well and it is just getting slower as the government says the satellite is overloaded with the NBN take-up. Recently been told our allowance has been reduced to 30gig peak, 30 gig off-peak instead of 80gig anytime. Takes about 15 minutes to download a 10 minute video half the time.

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      1. 96

         LongTimeMotherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         lol. I'm lucky if I can load any video half the time, Jodah. We've never had 80 gig.   Perhaps we'll have to move to Yamba and become neighbours with MarieLB. I'd be happy with a North Coast lifestyle!
         
         Snakesmum, you can't see exactly who visited your hubs in stats. However when you look at 'My Account' you see how many visits each hub had in the previous 24 hours. From there you can click on 'Comments' (which lists all comments on any hub) and just do the maths to see how many visitors did or didn't comment.  Bear in mind though, a comment doesn't earn you more money. To make money you want to attract traffic from search engines. Oh, and welcome to hp.

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         1. 76

            MarieLBposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            You're welcome to visit.  I'll give you my phone no if ur coming this way.  Yamba is a lovely place by any standard, however, I dont think you'll want to give up your lifestyle.
            
            I think you have created a happy haven wherever you are.

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            Snakesmumposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks LongTimeMother - I just thought it would be nice to return the visits, but if I can only do that for those who leave comments, so be it!     
            
            I'm lucky in my online connection, as I'm on ADSL, not the fastest, but perfectly adequate for what I do.  Don't think I'd cope well with satellite communication, as I'm too impatient to wait for things. :-)   You do have the advantage of living in the real bush though.

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10. 76

    MarieLBposted 10 years ago

    It is great to hear of someone who is so happy with their life.  Quite an achievement, to be sure.  So it is great to read your posts.
    
    I too used to have to use satellite when I was living in a rural area on the North Coast of NSW.  These past few years I have been in Yamba NSW where the broadband facility is much better.

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11. 69

    brakel2posted 10 years ago

    It is so interesting how people use their time, and so sad for people who have slow.  Internet. I try to comment on at least two articles a day and spend a lot of time in forums and feed. Then I also ask and answer questions. I have great speed on broadband so sure am one lucky gal.

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12. 84

    misterhollywoodposted 10 years ago

    I'm pretty much just like you when it comes to participation. I do try to spend 10-15 minutes a day on the hubs and commenting at least 3-5x a week. Good question.

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13. 67

    Arachneaposted 10 years ago

    Some very good answers here. I appreciate your sharing how different Hubbers approach interaction and prioritize the experience they hope to have. It's good to know that there's enough room for most to seek the experience they hope to gain, within reason. Even though it hadn't been a pressing question for me as to what anyone's goals are I feel confident I can decide on and establish those which work for me as I choose. Thanks for the responses folks.

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14. 96

    LongTimeMotherposted 10 years ago

    You're right, Marie. As we move into springtime and I walk through the blossoming orchard, I do love it here.  Slow internet is a small price to pay. 

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15. 59

    firstdayposted 10 years ago

    As to your question Arachnea I participate all different ways and when I feel like it.  Sounds like you have a system.

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16. 69

    Dressage Husbandposted 10 years ago

    I think the really important part to succeed is to do it consistently and regularly. Improvement takes time and learning, with the internet you will learn by doing and adapting this takes time. So it is important to have goals and objectives to measure your progress by.
    
    It is way too easy to get interested in articles and become distracted otherwise. For the newer writer I would suggest finding a few top rated Hubbers to follow and analyse why you think their material works, and where it could be improved. Use that data to guide your own efforts and develop your own desired style, then stick to it.
    
    In general time spent writing is more productive than answering questions and responding in forums, but time there does help the thinking process and socialisation skills. So the answer is it depends on your objective.

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