This always rattled me...why do I get no comments or less engagement even if the content I am trying to produce is so good. I spend days structuring the article, spend hours refining the idea and writing in an age where slop is everywhere...
Today, I got to know an interesting pov from you Benjamin.
As for the question, I want engagement because to me it's a sign that people are actually reading my work and they care enough to take out some time and write something related to it. For me, that's everything.
Hey. Long time no see :)…thanks. It obviously fluctuates depending on the topic but I have found that it does help to take a clear and direct stance so that people can identify or not, with your writing
Personally, I do enjoy a comment. Data tells us absolutely nothing and I find it pretty meaningless. A comment tells the author that someone walked away with something and it sparked something significant enough to share. There’s beauty in the unknown as well. Even if I do not have a lot to contribute and can’t fully articulate where it’s taking me yet, I will try to at least let them know their work made me think. Those are my favorite.
I’ve never put my thoughts into the world like I am doing now and know the vulnerability behind it. I suppose I hope that people feel seen when I comment. Maybe it doesn’t matter, but maybe it does. Not everybody is here to build a brand or to make money. Some people are still finding their voice.
I understand that we shouldn’t need external validation- but it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it. I also enjoy giving it.
Anyways, I enjoyed this! Thanks for making me think!
Thought-provoking article. Thank you! Initially I wanted comments to shed light and create momentum on a topic that is really important to me, but after being critiqued for my writing (and rightly so) that I tell a story, I don’t make people feel the story, my anonymity is a bit of a blessing as it let’s me practice being vulnerable, sticking my head above the parapet quietly until I hone my craft and really sharpen my perspective!
This is a brilliant breakdown of why information breeds silence while tension breeds community. I’m currently fighting the urge to soften this comment with three caveats just to protect my ego! It’s a tough shift to value the quiet resonance as much as the noisy metrics, but this is a great reminder to write for the connection, not the applause. That is where our true sovereignty lives
"People don’t comment because the writing is good but because they disagree, feel seen, feel challenged, feel understood or have a story to add."
Ok, this was surprisingly thought-provoking! Why DO I want people to comment on my work?! For me, it comes to down to the desire to connect with others by sharing my experiences. I want others to feel seen and understood...and I suppose by receiving comments, *I* then feel seen and understood.
Which might be the very definition of a social media circle jerk, but I'd like to think it's more authentic than that.
It’s a tricky balance. Zero comments feels like you are being ostracised…100’s of comments feel like you’ve been targeted by bot farms…somewhere in the middle is the sweet spot
This always rattled me...why do I get no comments or less engagement even if the content I am trying to produce is so good. I spend days structuring the article, spend hours refining the idea and writing in an age where slop is everywhere...
Today, I got to know an interesting pov from you Benjamin.
As for the question, I want engagement because to me it's a sign that people are actually reading my work and they care enough to take out some time and write something related to it. For me, that's everything.
Hey. Long time no see :)…thanks. It obviously fluctuates depending on the topic but I have found that it does help to take a clear and direct stance so that people can identify or not, with your writing
Personally, I do enjoy a comment. Data tells us absolutely nothing and I find it pretty meaningless. A comment tells the author that someone walked away with something and it sparked something significant enough to share. There’s beauty in the unknown as well. Even if I do not have a lot to contribute and can’t fully articulate where it’s taking me yet, I will try to at least let them know their work made me think. Those are my favorite.
I’ve never put my thoughts into the world like I am doing now and know the vulnerability behind it. I suppose I hope that people feel seen when I comment. Maybe it doesn’t matter, but maybe it does. Not everybody is here to build a brand or to make money. Some people are still finding their voice.
I understand that we shouldn’t need external validation- but it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it. I also enjoy giving it.
Anyways, I enjoyed this! Thanks for making me think!
Another thought-provoking article. Thank you...
Thought-provoking article. Thank you! Initially I wanted comments to shed light and create momentum on a topic that is really important to me, but after being critiqued for my writing (and rightly so) that I tell a story, I don’t make people feel the story, my anonymity is a bit of a blessing as it let’s me practice being vulnerable, sticking my head above the parapet quietly until I hone my craft and really sharpen my perspective!
This is a brilliant breakdown of why information breeds silence while tension breeds community. I’m currently fighting the urge to soften this comment with three caveats just to protect my ego! It’s a tough shift to value the quiet resonance as much as the noisy metrics, but this is a great reminder to write for the connection, not the applause. That is where our true sovereignty lives
It’s a tricky one for sure
Makes total sense. Thank you.
"People don’t comment because the writing is good but because they disagree, feel seen, feel challenged, feel understood or have a story to add."
Ok, this was surprisingly thought-provoking! Why DO I want people to comment on my work?! For me, it comes to down to the desire to connect with others by sharing my experiences. I want others to feel seen and understood...and I suppose by receiving comments, *I* then feel seen and understood.
Which might be the very definition of a social media circle jerk, but I'd like to think it's more authentic than that.
It’s a tricky balance. Zero comments feels like you are being ostracised…100’s of comments feel like you’ve been targeted by bot farms…somewhere in the middle is the sweet spot