Image © Hurca!; Flickr.com
Does your Write W.A.V.E. Media (WWM) content need some extra love? Do you keep checking your fans and followers on social media in hopes that more people will appear? If they haven't yet, you're probably going about things the wrong way - or you just got started and haven't given people time to find you yet. There are many different ways to get more fans and followers. The methods I find the best might surprise you.
Just be you. My number one rule in gaining fans and followers is to just be yourself. This should radiate in the comments you leave, in the content you publish, in your forum posts, and on social sites outside of WWM. There is no model form that everyone should fit into. Readers like to see the real person behind the writing.
Don't seek fans. Huh? Yes, that's right. If you want to gain the trust of your readers and writer friends, don't look at them as fans. Certainly don't seek out people, hoping they will like your Facebook page or subscribe. So, why is my fan base so large if I don't seek out fans? I consider my readers and fellow writers to be my friends. Some are closer than others of course. But, I do not go around saying "Please be my fan" or "Please subscribe to my work". Instead, I make friends and it doesn't bother me if they choose not to read my work. Not everyone is interested in the same things.
Fans and followers don't necessarily equate to high page views. Most large amounts of page views do not come from having fans and followers. They actually come via the search engines. So, why create those connections, then? Well, just for the sake of having like-minded friends and even for networking purposes. This is not to say their views don't count for anything. They absolutely do. Every view counts. But please don't look at your friends as page view insurance. Treat them as you would any other friend. There are real people behind those computer screens - not just numbers to add to your fan tally.
Don't expect people to subscribe or fan you just because you follow them. Sometimes people will fan you back or follow your work if you do the same with theirs. But don't get hurt feelings if they don't - and as mentioned above, don't ask. They simply just may not enjoy your topics or they may just be too busy to read more often. If someone has good content, I am going to read it whether they read mine or not. I never want anyone to feel pressured to read my work just because I read something of theirs. Of course, I appreciate every view I get. But, the most valuable and rewarding fans and subscribers are those that truly are interested in what you have to say.
Promote. Now, this may seem to contradict not seeking fans. In fact, it doesn't. It's alright to promote your work. Just do it where appropriate. For instance, don't spam message all your Facebook friends asking for reciprocal subscribing or liking of pages. It would be much more effective (and polite) to post a parenting article link on your profile, fan page, or even on a parenting site where that's allowed. There are ways to find a targeted audience that will be more interested and less irritated with you. Social sites are a great way to get the word out about your work. Just be sure to post other things and not just links to your work. Friends may be interested in your work. But, if that’s all you ever post, it may be considered spam.
Go about your daily routine. Just doing everything you normally do on WWM will eventually lead to fans over time. Comment on articles you enjoy. Subscribe to the topics and writers you enjoy. Find their blogs outside the WWM sites, as well. Visit the forums and participate in whatever interests you. People will naturally be curious about you and possibly check out your work, too. If they like what they see, they may even subscribe.
By following the advice above, you will soon find yourself gaining more than just fans. You'll be gaining valuable friendships - something much more important than a tally number.
Just be you. My number one rule in gaining fans and followers is to just be yourself. This should radiate in the comments you leave, in the content you publish, in your forum posts, and on social sites outside of WWM. There is no model form that everyone should fit into. Readers like to see the real person behind the writing.
Don't seek fans. Huh? Yes, that's right. If you want to gain the trust of your readers and writer friends, don't look at them as fans. Certainly don't seek out people, hoping they will like your Facebook page or subscribe. So, why is my fan base so large if I don't seek out fans? I consider my readers and fellow writers to be my friends. Some are closer than others of course. But, I do not go around saying "Please be my fan" or "Please subscribe to my work". Instead, I make friends and it doesn't bother me if they choose not to read my work. Not everyone is interested in the same things.
Fans and followers don't necessarily equate to high page views. Most large amounts of page views do not come from having fans and followers. They actually come via the search engines. So, why create those connections, then? Well, just for the sake of having like-minded friends and even for networking purposes. This is not to say their views don't count for anything. They absolutely do. Every view counts. But please don't look at your friends as page view insurance. Treat them as you would any other friend. There are real people behind those computer screens - not just numbers to add to your fan tally.
Don't expect people to subscribe or fan you just because you follow them. Sometimes people will fan you back or follow your work if you do the same with theirs. But don't get hurt feelings if they don't - and as mentioned above, don't ask. They simply just may not enjoy your topics or they may just be too busy to read more often. If someone has good content, I am going to read it whether they read mine or not. I never want anyone to feel pressured to read my work just because I read something of theirs. Of course, I appreciate every view I get. But, the most valuable and rewarding fans and subscribers are those that truly are interested in what you have to say.
Promote. Now, this may seem to contradict not seeking fans. In fact, it doesn't. It's alright to promote your work. Just do it where appropriate. For instance, don't spam message all your Facebook friends asking for reciprocal subscribing or liking of pages. It would be much more effective (and polite) to post a parenting article link on your profile, fan page, or even on a parenting site where that's allowed. There are ways to find a targeted audience that will be more interested and less irritated with you. Social sites are a great way to get the word out about your work. Just be sure to post other things and not just links to your work. Friends may be interested in your work. But, if that’s all you ever post, it may be considered spam.
Go about your daily routine. Just doing everything you normally do on WWM will eventually lead to fans over time. Comment on articles you enjoy. Subscribe to the topics and writers you enjoy. Find their blogs outside the WWM sites, as well. Visit the forums and participate in whatever interests you. People will naturally be curious about you and possibly check out your work, too. If they like what they see, they may even subscribe.
By following the advice above, you will soon find yourself gaining more than just fans. You'll be gaining valuable friendships - something much more important than a tally number.
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