I put this Tweet out yesterday and it was something that was on my mind.
I had some responses from @dickturpin, @unklebonehead and @recording-box, but obviously Hive is the better place for this discussion. Some may know that I have been a keen commenter from the start and recently clocked up 50,000. I think that has played a large part in how well I have done here. Lots of people know who I am and some choose to support me.
So I obviously think commenting is a good idea, but I see many people who hardly do it, or perhaps do not do it so well. Some accounts do more posts than comments, when I think you ought to be making at least ten times as many comments as posts. Not only does it get you seen, but it can also earn well. I have had comments make several dollars, but regularly get good rewards. I still would not say that you should see it primarily as an income source as that can lead to spam-like behaviour.
On the old (dead, but possibly revived) Tsu platform we suffered a lot from 'Nice post' comments from people desperate for a like. So far that has not been so much of an issue here, but as Hive grows we may see more of it. I do get some comments that seem to lack sincerity. Telling me that my running is good for me is not really adding anything of value. I get that language can be a barrier, but there are substantial communities who are not using English. Do not just comment on posts by big accounts as they may get plenty of responses and spread their votes thinly. Engage with posts you enjoy that interest you so you have something to say. The author will probably welcome the engagement (or at least they should), especially if they do not get much otherwise. Responding to comments can lead to more regular support. I spread several dollars each day across replies to my posts and comments.
Even the most viewed posts (mostly by Splinterlands) are often getting less comments than I do. They need to get their many thousands of players active on the social side of Hive where they could be earning well.
Although trending is not where I go to find posts it could be seen as an ad for Hive, but it can give a false impression. You will find posts that get huge rewards, but little engagement as they are there due to support by the big curation projects plus all those who follow their trails. Even if they have comments then many may be automated. We have at least one rampant comment spammer plus all the bots.
I just think that more actual social engagement would be good for Hive. It would make content creators more keen to come back even if their rewards are not great. People post on other platforms for no reward as they can get an active following there. Hive does not yet have the critical mass to make it attractive in that way, but we will only achieve it by building the community and not losing good people.
On Twitter @dickturpin said "The problem is, for a lot of posts what can you say?". You do not have to comment on every post you like, but if you have something to say then why not take a few seconds to say it? Even a "Well done!" for someone's achievement may be appreciated, but the best comments are those what make the conversation continue.
You can also compete in the Hive Engagement League by @abh12345. Even I struggle to even get in the top twenty there.
I get that a lot of people are just chasing the money, but I have always tried to make this platform fun for me. I have done what I can to help others and had a lot of kind words for doing so.
Hive was intended to be a social platform and I think it can be a bit lacking in that respect. We can each play a part in fixing that.
What do you think? Suggestions on Twitter included 'canned responses' (Peakd has 'snippets') or the ability to respond to a video with video. The latter would need some development, but many things can be done with what we already have.
Hive five!
