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There’s an interesting thread on asklemmy about the perils of trying to grow engagement: https://lemmy.world/comment/11375736. The topic is: “What would you like to change about Lemmy culture?”
On one hand I kind of get the point, on another hand I feel a need to post something every week or so so people who click on the community can quickly see the community is not dead and someone is checking at least semi-regularly.
Yeah, it’s something worth further thought. Somewhat related is this comment by @JohnnyEnzyme@lemm.ee to @FauxPseudo@lemmy.world on a c/Heathcliff thread about communities that are kept alive by a single poster:
This is a distinct problem I’ve discovered as someone who aims to post daily in my Euro-comics community-- that while it does gradually increase the subscriber count, it also (speculating here) tends to create a userbase that’s content to sit back and let someone else do the work.
So, psychologically and motivationally, I’m thinking it might even discourage contributors, especially since I try to research well everything I post, and usually post multiple images. Not unlike how you always add the reference comic as well as frequent bonus content… plus the funny comments, of course.
In other words, the two audiences are getting quality stuff without needing to lift a finger. Where is their motivation supposed to come from, daggit?
That’s a great point, not sure what the answer is.
Hola, Rolando!
So-- I think this why any healthy community needs casual posters. I mean, it’s all very well for the founders, mods & awesome posters like @anon6789@lemmy.world at c/SuperbOwl to post excellent content on a regular basis, but we also need people coming from the zen / beginner’s side of things to post topics like 1) “Help me remember this media?,” 2) “What is your opinion on X?,” 3) “I need help with this issue,” 4) “Hey look, here’s my latest gear / shelfie / etc!”Yes, and I’m largely stating the obvious, but how do we get there? One idea would be for the ‘content creators’ to turn around and post from the other direction (as above). I’ve actually had decent luck with that in the past, when the community was much smaller, but for whatever reason I stopped doing that. The point of course is to set an example for others to follow, but also to put our members in the position to help out the show-runners, so to speak. Let them have a turn to be the ‘experts.’
Anyway, that’s one idea.
I’ve gotten lucky to get a few regular commentors by this point. Getting post content is easy relative to how hard it is to get those comments, so I always try to make anyone that comments feel important and special for doing so.
I always try to make a response to whatever they say. Even if they just say “I like this” I can always throw in a “I’m so glad you liked it! What was your favorite part?” to let them know someone noticed their comment, and also if I can, throw in that question to try and get a second comment, since I already have them talking to me. Gotta give that positive reinforcement. My group is a bit more niche, so I can’t really pose a question as a topic most times.
Owl of the Year gave people something to talk about as well, and for them to communicate with each other and not just me as they tried to win people over to their side of the voting. It really can take a bit of time, but I try to know my audience. I’m really trying to stay tuned into it now, as I think my subs have peaked.
Following all these threads with the other posters has been a big help too. It shows me I’m not alone in the struggles of building something, and I can get a feel for how others are doing what they do. That’s why I always try to chime in on these things, as this is NOT a specialty of mine being social with strangers, but I want this place to thrive so I have to push myself, and I want to give support back to the rest of you to grow this beast from all directions.
Be open, meet people from other communities, talk to them, participate in their communities to give them some comments to attract others, and that’s all we can do. Just keep making it the place you want to hang out at.
Right on, A6789.
In fact I recall reading you stating the body of such not too long ago, and I thought it very smart, pragmatic, and kind. Okay, let’s see:I’ve gotten lucky to get a few regular commentors by this point. So far we get semi-regular & random folks, which is cool of course, but regulars would be nice, you know?
I mean, it would be nice to share more of where we’re each coming from, keep in mind our likes & dislikes, and do little ‘tip of the caps’ to them. I’d like that, if possible.
Gotta give that positive reinforcement.
I love that whole technique, and I salute your approach, but at the same time, Euro GN’s border (or encompass) serious, heavy themes & content, and I’m afraid it would falter on the edge of being pedantic if I was to go too far in that direction.
Altho for the record, in terms of my screwups, there’s me BLOWING MY TOP in the comments:
https://lemm.ee/post/37318592Be open, meet people from other communities, talk to them, participate in their communities to give them some comments to attract others, and that’s all we can do.
Good points!
Altho A6789-- mate, you know you’re allowed to change your public-facing username whilst keeping your core name for login purposes, etc.I’m just being silly here, but whadya think, whadya think:
- OwlHead Jones
- Hooter Howdy
- Owlicious (Delicious)
- ThatLittleRodentIsDoomed
…
I’m glad you and that other person dealt with things in the long run.
It can be hard to find positive aspects in much of what is going on around the world, but all is not lost. There are those out there helping migrants, bringing aid to warzones, and others doing great things. For anything bad we can find, there’s an opposite story to tell about those who are trying to make it better. Rather than telling the stories about the villains, let us tell stories about the heroes more.
I occasionally think about changing my name, or at least coming up with an alt account for when I express my opinions rather than doing my work on Superbowl, but this is me at this point. I try to keep it civil and avoid anything controversial, but I think I’m on with who I am and how I present myself here. Just as IRL, not everyone will like me or my opinions, but that is ok as well.
For anything bad we can find, there’s an opposite story to tell about those who are trying to make it better. Rather than telling the stories about the villains, let us tell stories about the heroes more.
Hmm, I like your kindly, rather philosophical nature, too!
Rather than telling the stories about the villains, let us tell stories about the heroes more.
Oh, settle down there… We’re all heroes & villains at the end of the day, didn’t you get that memo?
I feel bad because most of the people posting on !knitting@lemmy.world seem to be really good at it and I am pretty obviously nowhere near their level of skill. I also do not see many posts made by people around my skill level. But hey, at least it’s Fediverse engagement and I do try to help keep that up. Writing this comment also made me think that perhaps a lot of Fediverse hobby communities have skilled people and beginners are perhaps too scared to post because they don’t see anyone else just starting, so being the beginner asking for help might actually be valuable.
perhaps a lot of Fediverse hobby communities have skilled people and beginners are perhaps too scared to post because they don’t see anyone else just starting
This is a GREAT point IMO, and I think it’s good to never to forget it. Even as smashingly common as it is.
Because ultimately, we’re going to make the Fediverse work because we pay attention to details like this, whereas Reddit is just sort of organised mechanisms at this point, mais non?
@Blaze@reddthat.com, @Rolando@lemmy.world, @anon6789@lemmy.world
P.S. And yes-- I doubt we’re ever going to come close to Reddit (or other pop-mediums) in terms of total userbase and/or pop-engagement, but to me, folks who make sites like this work are preserving a sort of ‘last chance for humanity to stave off corporate ownership.’ Our last chance to deliver a nice little FUCK YOU to late-stage capitalism, if you like.
Sorry for my language, mateys.
Very true. We often feel we aren’t very good at things. We’ll always be behind some people, but we’re also ahead of others as well, and we forget that. I always think I’m at a dead end in piano, and my teacher tells me to knock it off because I’m way ahead of where normal progress is for an adult student. So while I may feel I’m at a tough point, it’s because I’m constantly challenging myself to improve, not just sticking at my current level.
Even with my Lemmy content, I knew maybe more than your average person about owls, but now after a year plus of reading about them every day, I feel much more established in my knowledge of them.
Hobbies are all about fun and gradual improvement. Progress pics can be an important part of that. As long as the community treats everyone nicely, beginner work should be complimented.
Even in something like knitting, I never got far at it and just made maybe a half dozen basic scarfs, but I got consistent comments about my ability to keep even tension, which kept me motivated.
In regards to overall growth of Lemmy, I look at us as the instances being the mom and pop shops vs the commercial conglomerates of Reddit and Facebook. I don’t want or need to be that big to feel successful. I’m close to getting 3k subs, and that’s more people than I ever imagined to have listening to me. We don’t need to be all things to all people. We can coexist with other platforms. I imagine some might even prefer my rendition of Superbowl to the Reddit one. You get solid photos and facts, but you’re not overwhelmed with too much stuff that you need to scroll and read forever.
I always think I’m at a dead end in piano, and my teacher tells me to knock it off because I’m way ahead of where normal progress is for an adult student.
So, hope I’m not offending you or anything– But… maestro, you ROCK at the owl pics and captions. So beautiful the captures, and ultra-witty, the expressions.
It really is like magic. ^^
Oh rabbits, this post is 17days old, now. :S
If people are manage hobby communities, I really suggest to have planned weekly threads where people can share their progress. Might be less scary to beginners.
You can use https://schedule.lemmings.world/auth/login
Ugh… another tragically late reply, hah.
So, how would such a thing appear to the users? Would it be like an auto-posting bot? Can you point me to a working example of such?
