Have you ever been on that side of the phone call where you realize it’s just you and no one else on the other end? You’re thinking you’re engaged in a conversation but it’s really just a one way call. Not much fun is it?
You literally sat there and talked for three minutes to yourself with no type of response or confirmation to what you were saying. What you spoke about was so good and would have been beneficial for listening ears. All you wanted was a conversation, someone to chime in and reflect, to give you a little of their time and attention.
This is what it feels like to have zero engagement on a Hive post.
When I write, I write not just for myself nor to hear my voice but for the interaction and relating with others. I think I can speak for most authors that having that after the writing engagement gives sort of a closure to the work put out. It provides that rush of enjoyment and the feeling of this was so worth my time.
Engagement on Hive is keeping someone company. When someone engages it shows they have interest in what one is sharing or promoting. It shows they care to give a few minutes of their time of feedback, input and even constructive criticism.
When I engage on someone’s post I try to answer a series of questions I think the author would want to know. I’ve shared this before in a previous post but I’ll add them here again for those who haven’t seen them:
- Why did you enjoy my post?
- What interested you the most?
- Did my article motivate and encourage you?
- Is this particular content new to you? Would you like me to post more about this topic?
- What valuable feedback or input can you add to the conversation that could benefit others joining in?
If I’m going to comment I want it to be worth my while as well as others reading it. As an author I know how much effort it takes to put an article together. I use that knowledge to make sure I encourage other writers and congratulate them on a job well done.
On the other hand as a curator I try to find posts with very little engagement on it to support. I feel if one starts some engagement maybe others will follow and join in. No one wants to talk alone to themselves. When I see a post that has zero comments it reminds me of that lonely phone call of them saying “hello”? “Is anybody out there”?
The other part of being engaged on Hive is being involved in activities such as contests, voting on witnesses and proposals, donating to a cause, answering questions and replying to comments as well as reading a variety of content and getting to know people here.
There are so many different communities available to be active in that allows one to participate and converse. Involving oneself and finding commonality with others are great ways to stay engaged and active.
If I were to summarize all of the engagement techniques I mentioned above it would simply be to Get Plugged In!
I found early on six years ago that it was boring sitting around waiting for responses on my post. If everyone does this there will surely be no conversations going on because everyone would be waiting on each other to start one.
While I was sitting there saying
Geez, I sure wish people would see my post.
and asking
How long will it be before I get some feedback?
there were probably hundreds of others wondering and asking the same question. If no one makes a move to engage we will have a flat, dull, disengaged platform.
Once I figured that out I began visiting more posts and learning about others. At the same time my knowledge of Hive and how it worked began to grow too because I was reading some very helpful informative publications. Also I started making valuable connections and gaining new friendships.
That feedback that I wanted started showing up because I went out and made myself known. How can anyone know who you are if you don’t show who you are? You do that by showing up and getting plugged in. Find those places that interest you and leave a mark there.
I remember the feeling I had when the same people started supporting me and coming back to my post regularly. I would say
Oh my gosh she’s here again! Yay he commented for the third time on one of my posts! Oh wow they decided to follow me now?! 😲🥹
I wanted results so I took action!
I wouldn’t change anything about the way I engage. I don’t get tired of it because it’s way more fun than just sitting around talking to myself. I like getting out there visiting my friends and engaging with newcomers.
These methods have surely helped build my account and place here on Hive. Since the beginning I made it a goal of mine to respond to every reply or comment I receive and answer every question to the best of my ability. I’m not perfect and may miss some along the way but you can easily see that I try not to ignore, avoid or miss a comment (unless it’s spam, I don’t have time for that mess 🙄).
I’m a legit and genuine person and try to display that in the way I act and carry myself on and off of Hive.
Engagement on Hive is keeping someone company. When someone engages it shows they have interest in what one is sharing or promoting. It shows they care to give a few minutes of their time of feedback, input and even constructive criticism.
This post is my Weekend Engagement involvement initiated by @galenkp. I chose this week’s prompt about: