Do you feel that it is appropriate to follow people just to get followers?

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   mwilliams66posted 12 years ago

   Do you feel that it is appropriate to follow people just to get followers?
   
   I see people follow dozens of people at a time, but see no evidence that they read the hubs the people write.  It was my impression that hub preferred that we follow people who's writing interests us.  How do you feel about that?

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   TToombs08posted 12 years ago

   I tend to agree with you, mwilliams. From what I understand, it can actually have the opposite effect to follow people for the sake of following and being followed.
   
   I prefer to follow writers that will actually read, comment and help me grow as a writer. If they are just following me to build up their ranks, I would ask to not be followed.
   
   On the other end of that, I don't tend to follow writers that don't leave useful/valuable comments, read mine or other's works, or publish very often, if at all. Might sound harsh, but I was under the impression this is a place to work on our skills and produce useful content. Not a popularity contest. I left that behind in grade school.

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   mwilliams66posted 12 years ago

   TToombs, I don't think it is harsh at all. I came to hubpages to write, to read, to be read and to become a better writer.  Sure it is fun to receive an accolade, but that is not the driving force for me, nor is the money (though that's nice too).
   I feel we have this amazing opportunity here on hubpages.  Why waste it.  I have so enjoyed reading the hubs of others.  I can't wait to see what new things pass through the feed, but lately it is all sharing of other hubs for the sake of being shared (I share, but I share what I love.  What touches me or inspires me.  I share what makes me laugh.  I would never share to be shared (though it is nice when it happens.)  If it is not sharing or as I refer to it cross advertising, it is dozen upon dozen of notices that so and so is now following this or that person. 
   By the way, I follow you because I so enjoy your writing

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      TToombs08posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Likewise, my friend. Eventually, it becomes clear who is here for what reason. I go though the list of hubbers I follow about monthly and do a little house cleaning to seperate the wheat from the chaff, so to say.

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   billybucposted 12 years ago

   Melissa, I was actually guilty of this when I first started out.  I have since come to realize that there are a whole bunch of Hubbers who could care less what I write or even if I write.
   
   I am now much more selective and I feel good about that.  I would guess that there are thirty Hubbers who I follow religiously and that is a manageable number; I can give those people the attention they deserve.
   
   Great question my friend!

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      mwilliams66posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Billy, I think that if I had not come upon such brilliant writers while hopping, I might have done the same.It became quite clear to me during my procrastination period, that there was so much to be gained here including exploring my love of writing.

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   shiningirisheyesposted 12 years ago

   I've noticed this as well.  Although I enjoy reading others as well as writing, some people may follow me when they read on particular hub.  After visiting my profile, this may have been the only one that interested them, so they don't follow.  I try not to take it too personally.  Great question.

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   Matthew Weeseposted 12 years ago

   No! you should follow people of your interest, you should be interested in the peoples hubs, I learned my lesson when i responded to a mentally twisted Huber who calls himself cleaner3, his shallow minded, insulting, ego stricken, attitude ruins all his hubs. Be choosy who you make contact with there are crazys everywhere.

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   mary615posted 12 years ago

   There are some Hubbers who just "jump on and jump off" a Hub, make a quick, meaningless comment and share with their followers.  These folk discovered they can make some extra money by doing this.  Then they go to that Hubber's profile and follow them.  They, in turn will get a follow......There is probably nothing wrong this this, but I find it distasteful.

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      TToombs08posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Me too, Mary! And I've noticed it's happening a lot recently. I wonder if there's a hub on "Following Etiquette."

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      mwilliams66posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I've noticed this a lot lately too Mary. It makes me sad.  I suppose I  have a romanticized view of hubpages.  For me it is a place to discover and produce art.  It just simply is not to others.

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   xstaticposted 12 years ago

   I tend to follow writers that I find on comments on my hubs or hubs of others or by hubhopping. I try to read those that I follow as well, and comment on their work. There are so many good writers that I happen upon though, that I get carried away. If I gain a follower, I sometimes wonder how since I have never seen the name as a commenter on my hubs or others. I like billybuc's approach.

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   diggnetposted 12 years ago

   I think the motivation is to increase hub score

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    Efficient Adminposted 12 years ago

    I follow hubbers who I think have interesting articles. It is difficult for me to find the time to read and comment on everyone's articles, however I do try to do just that as much as I can in any given week because there are many interesting articles / writers on Hubpages.

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    carol7777posted 12 years ago

    I was looking here to find answers myself.  I see so many people with over 1000 followers. It would be impossible to read all of them.  I try to comment on topics that interest me and share my feelings with the writer.  I love learning new things and the hubs here are pretty amazing. I just hope those following me will read future articles ..Many I am sure want you to follow them.  However, it will probably even out eventurally.

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