Encouraging Comments
Exploring how comments can build community by creating connections born of positivity and encouragement
When it comes to social media we have an 80/20 rule. We spend about 80% of our time celebrating other folks’ creativity and inspiration, and about 20% talking about ‘us’.
Counter-intuitive? Maybe.
But, here’s the thing, folk really enjoy being celebrated. We all do, don’t we? So what better way to connect yourself to the people you respect, who are doing work you admire, than by shouting up for them? A like takes a microsecond, but a well-framed positive comment only takes a little longer and the impact far outweighs the modest extra effort.
So, comments, we make them all the time. Always positive and encouraging because, honestly, who has the time to add the friction of negativity into our already busy lives?
Over on Twitter, an author bemoans a book signing event attended by only two people; hopes crushed, optimism dashed. But the thread of comments that followed showed the supportiveness of a writing community that has experienced the same disappointments. Even Margaret Atwood tells her tale of no one turning up:
We have been sending out a weekly newsletter for over 5 years now; the audience for it has grown gently over the years. You’d need to book a decent-sized theatre if you wanted to read it out to everyone who receives it … but the numbers aren’t really the thing. Most weeks, someone very kindly presses ‘reply’ or comments on Twitter that they get something from it … there is nothing more encouraging than the words they choose to let us know it hits the mark.
We do the same. If something catches our attention in a newsletter we have signed up for, we say so. Just let someone know - today, maybe - that their work is appreciated. It truly makes a difference.
Finally, a little appeal. Several times already in the short time we have been part of the Substack community, we have read something interesting and wanted to reply only to be met with the ‘comments are only available for paying subscribers’. We completely get that folk have to make a living but restricting ‘comments’ surely isn’t the way to invite new folk into the community you are building. Commenting deepens a connection … it quite possibly increases the chances someone will sign up as a paying subscriber.
Encouragement builds the courage we need.
As always a great read Barrie. It’s taken a while to find substack!
You are so right, it’s lovely to be able to reply and even enter into a conversation with the writer and others without subscribing. Many people limit their social media involvement to a small number of outlets, but if they find something that resonates they are more likely to pursue it and seek out more if there is ease of access and sense of connection. It’s all part of extending encouragement, of offering that sense of belonging, of being seen and heard which builds confidence and a sense of community. Lovely 💛