are you following me?
This is a public service announcement. If you are following my blog, but have no intention of reading my posts, please unfollow me now.
Prior to the evolution of social media, following someone who you didn’t know was totally creepy and potentially dangerous to the person being followed. My, how things have changed. Now people collect followers, on purpose. It’s a thing.
Image source: pixabay
I’m wary about collecting followers on WordPress. I want followers of course, because I want people to read my blog. But followers who are trolling for follow backs are not my friends. That method of following just to get follow backs happens constantly on Twitter. That’s probably where it originated. And now I’m wondering if people on WordPress may be doing it too. Which is lame. But then again, I have no proof, just an unsubstantiated suspicion.
For instance, while I was typing this, a user named Opinionated Man, followed my blog. Actually, this may have just substantiated my suspicion. Checking his blog, he has over 44,ooo followers. I’ve only written one post so far on The Honking Goose so I can’t believe the Opinionated Man actually has a compelling reason to follow my blog and I’m definitely not convinced that he even read the one blog post I did write so far. He’s probably just trying to pad his numbers.
If you have read this blog post, you’re good with me. You’re not the one I’m criticizing. If you have followed my blog, but will not read my posts, you can unfollow me now. I have no use for your counterfeit attention. Not that you’ll ever get my message, unless you read this. In which case, like I said, we’re cool – please stick around.
UPDATE 10/10/14: I have had a shift of viewpoint since I first wrote this post. I learned so much from all the feedback I got in the comments section. I’ve also become a regular reader of Opinionated Man’s blog. And contrary to my original assumptions, OM has read and commented on my blog a couple of times too. I retract my criticism of his following practices. I won’t change the original content of this post, though, because it documents exactly what I was thinking at that time and it was a great catalyst for me to learn more about blogging.
UPDATE 11/7/14: Following up on this post, I wrote, are you still following me? about how my mind has changed since I first wrote this post.
269 comments on “are you following me?”
Honk at me:
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Based on a work at https://thehonkinggoose.wordpress.com/.
The Honking Goose 
Hi! I “nominated” you for the Liebster Award, which is really just a way for bloggers to help discover one another. No obligation necessary. No prize either, unfortunately. Anyway… the instructions are up on my blog: http://deannawillmon.com/2014/12/29/the-liebster-award-bloggings-amish-friendship-bread/
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I’d like you to please unfollow me after reading the post I reblogged about never attending another PTA meeting due to homophobic bully parents. Thanks.
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I already read that article (the follow up is on Freshly Pressed of course, and I read both). I’ve been thinking about the things that I have in common with RaisingMyRainbow.
I find it ironic that you want me to read something on your blog, and then unfollow you, but I like irony, so that almost made me smile, although, I admit, I’m a little confused.
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Yes, one of the jokes you made was about taking the rainbow back… and so although you say you can empathize with Raising My Rainbow… you do not actually show such understanding traits readily. I know you do not intend to do harm. But you did. You were much more comfortable with your readers who supported all kinds of “gay jokes” and defended your jokes as freedom of expression. Thank you for un following me as per my request. I wish you well.
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lol, funniest shit I have read in months. Loved it.
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So glad you are amused OM.
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Yeah, Opinionated Man… you are kinda cramping my style as you horn in with Honking Goose and me, because she and I had to work some things out that made me feel bad as a Bisexual woman. And the jokes hurt and caused a lot of past stuff to come up like silence and hiding and bullies and safety, but she didn’t mean to do that, okay? And I’m now not giving a flying rat’s ass what people think of me, in part due to her helping me accidentally work this out, SO I don’t want you to disrespect the place Honking Goose and I arrived independent of your voyeurism. She and I are discussing conduct on line, how to talk to children about culturally taboo issues and about tolerance and sensitivity. And she was entirely fair to me in the end… after I really gave her what for on another post… so if you please, go ahead and be amused, but not at our expense. Keep that on your own tab. And or talk to me for real. I’m not a tool. Thanks.
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I didn’t think it possible, but I am even more amused now! Any blogger that goes around forcing people to unfollow IS a tool. So you missed your calling. Have a good day pumpkin, I’ll go seek further voyeurism. lmao!
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No, you’re wrong mr. “I reblog everyone on the face of the planet” You even followed me a long time ago. But you never have anything to say. At first I thought your blog writing was interesting, except you don’t like baseball… and so you don’t know about it. Because if you understood baseball, you’d love it. Same as me. But instead you’re going around laughing.
Anyhow, I’m not your pumpkin. My name is Katherine and I am a woman who doesn’t approve of terms of affection when he is actually being a typical guy. If you want to fight me, leave Honking Goose out of it out of respect to her space and come to my blog. I will eat you alive and then puke you out.
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I don’t care about you. Take care pumpkin and I kind of picked up you were angry I didn’t reblog YOU. Maybe you should work on content rather than telling other bloggers not to follow you. Twirl that around KATHERINE.
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What is wrong with you? Are you attracted to me? Why are you stalking me opinionated man?
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I visited and commented. The world did not open and swallow me. I am actually disappointed. I will go back to watching Family Guy now… you bore me.
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So noted Opinionated Man… Family Guy is a sucky show. I’m glad you are going to go zone out. That sounds pretty boring to me. I see you have found your “people” among the cartoons. Nice. Thanks for the insight.
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Yea I imagine you wouldn’t get the humor from that show Miss Sensitive.
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Hi sweetie, you are sooooo not bored by me. Now shu fly shu.
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How am I stalking you? I responded to your comments and I visited after you ASKED ME TO. This freaking article is ABOUT ME idiot. I get the emails from it duh. Stop trying to create drama for yourself. Again, you are amusing.
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Go away silly stalker with out self awareness but lots of buttons to push.
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The PTA article is about you?
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If you mean the, are you following me, article… ok so it’s about you… I went to talk to the Goose to stop following me because she had it on her site which was ironic.
If you are talking about the PTA article… it was by a mother about her PTA meeting where the parents were exceedingly homophobic.
So if your emails are getting crapped up, cry me a river and welcome to the internet. You’re the one who started all of this up again. Ciao.
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I just want to clarify that I DID write this post “are you following me?” as well as the sequel post “are you still following me?”
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I don’t think that clarification is going to matter here. She hasn’t understood a single word I have said… lol…
Anyways, I’m done. I honestly don’t know whether she is trying to be obtuse… or just is.
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Thank you. I’m sorry your post is getting messed up with this. I really meant no disrespect to you despite the painful language I used.
I’m not sure why OM is continuing…
People in Ferguson are being tear gassed currently as the decision on Mike Brown came down in favor of the police officer while Obama said let’s make this a positive. That’s what’s really important. That the black community is being ignored and that more misunderstandings are going to happen. I believe the justice system is broken… so this is hard to accept. It truly saddens me.
So…I’m torn between the stark reality and yet I hope you have a happy thanksgiving if you celebrate such things…
Bye Honking Goose.
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Look pumpkin I’ll speak slower for you. You asked why I felt the need to interject in your conversation on this post right? Well because this post is about me so I read all the comments duh. How are you not able to read this clearly? Is it me? Do I suck at teaching obvious idiots to read? I am such a failure…
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WHAT is the name of the post? What is about you? Just be clear so no one steps on your big dumb feet.
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…
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If you don’t want to clarify, then that’s your fault not mine.
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Oh don’t take it personally. I call anyone an “idiot” when I have to explain myself more than twice…
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It’s just that you’re not explaining well or listening at all well and you’ve misunderstood and both of us are making it worse and I’m not an idiot. I won’t take it personal because I don’t know you personally and I’m pretty sure that when you indicate I am angry and so you’ve avoided me while still “following” my blog, although you say you are “bored” and insist on preaching to me about conduct as you get to break all the rules, you actually are indicating that you are passive aggressive which is anger too.
So we are two angry people and I’m very direct and willing to work that out for the better or I can beat you verbally like a jerk just like you are being with no great effect for either of us other than a bit of tag you’re it.
I am sorry I crapped up your post when I thought it was written by Honking Goose as she posted it, and that I used it’s content to indicate where I felt she was being a hypocrite. I needed to tell her where I felt our disconnect was and she was really very cool about it with me. I’m glad you and she are okay with one another. I am not seeking to harm your mystique. I am not seeking attention follows or likes in any of the ways that you are. It’s okay if we don’t get along. I don’t want you to feel like I actually like how we are relating. But I’m fine with what has transpired.
No one has to explain themselves twice or at all. But as you approached me first in a laughing way and not an explaining way, you caused confusion and a tone of disrespect. You wanted to point out my faults as such. Well, I am more than capable of admitting what I do and why and where I am sloppy and or purposeful but it’s not because I don’t care. I’m doing this because I care about humans. I’m not flippant about not caring about people the way you are. I might come off very strong and that can feel hurtful to you, but I’m good at apologizing when I need to if you tell me what I’ve done to make you feel that way. So… whatever.
The gay bashing was not something I’d accused you of by the way, but was instead explaining to you about what happened with jokes by the goose on an earlier post of hers. She needed to be aware of how the jokes she encouraged from her readers made me feel because my heart was pounding much like the parent at the PTA meeting had talked about in the post I’ve been indicating to you. So I wanted to direct the goose to that sensitivity as I felt she explained it very well and it focused on kids, and I didn’t know how to find those words… so it was to help her understand why I was asking her to unfollow. It wasn’t a weird thing. It was so she’d understand why I wanted her to part ways without just leaving her in a vacuum. It’s not for attention, it’s so we can avoid being superficial. I don’t care about blogger awards or any of that stuff.
Anyhow, I hope you have a good night. I gotta go now… but I really hope you realize we had a misunderstanding all around and everyone has anger issues and ways of creating walls and defense mechanisms… I do not need your advice on how to be a lady and I don’t appreciate the all women are crazy B.S. and if you had told me that you’d written the post in the first place and didn’t understand what I was saying to the goose… we could have avoided this.
If you fail to let this go, that’s why you are my stalker not at all bored and trolling, fella. Do the math.
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I “let it go” hours ago. Take care. 🙂
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yeah, with absolutely NO comprehension skills. What are you drunk? Dang, OM… if you let it go hours ago, why are you still talking to me?
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You asked me to “let it go” and I have… what more is it you are wanting here? How is my response an indication I am drunk? Again, I have moved past this. Take care and have a good week.
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Drunks don’t listen. They don’t validate other points of view. They are passive aggressive. And they come to me like you do as if I am to blame for something. Now letting it go means, you say, hey let’s start over. I am sorry we got off on the wrong foot and maybe we don’t have anything in common, but because I care about you having a good day and don’t want to cause you suffering I’d like to say peace. I’d like to understand where you were angry you felt vulnerable and where I was angry in the form of laughter and insults, I was vulnerable and we took that out on each other.
That’s what letting go is. You take care and have a good week too,
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I am ok with the assumption I am a drunk then if it bypasses all that unnecessary conversation. Again, take care. 🙂
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Nope, you’ll have to do better than that and be real and kind with me and or really stop talking to me. That’s how you will be released. Two choices. Quit now or come back for lessons in how.
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LoL you are still amusing. I love when people act tough online. Kick rocks pumpkin.
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You can both drop it now, thanks.
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So Honking Goose said she wrote the post not you. we need to not crap up her space.
I’m going to go observe Mike Brown’s memory now and hope the best for the people in ferguson. They are getting tear gassed and and I am saddened by the broken justice system. We really have more important things to do than play bully.
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You can both drop it now, thanks.
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I just told him that. So you bet.
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… this article idiot… the one that has my name in it. Duh?
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idiot is an unnecessary word choice, but clearly you are upset so I will allow you your snark. Go find your princess, darlin’.
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Oh, and thanks for the FOLLOW. Glad to have found you, too 🙂
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thanks for checking out the Honking Goose!
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I’m following you now. Be scared, be very, very scared…Ho ho ho!!! (okay, that Santa Claus laugh killed he effect…)
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😀 Thanks for the follow! (Santa Claus is kinda evil – he stole Jesus’ birthday)
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HA HA HAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I started following you Goose from reading your comments on OM’s blog. I liked your quick wit, humour, and honesty. I see you in my reader and I read what you write. I make it a point to check out each follower I have. I read their post on their home page and comment to let them know I’m there and appreciating their efforts. I do appreciate each and every person who wants to read what I wrote. That’s why I initially started my blog because my boxes of journals and random scribbles have only been seen by me over the years. Thank you for following me because you want to. I appreciate every like, comment, and conversation that we have. 😊
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Blogging certainly elevates journaling to new levels. I make the most effort to keep up with bloggers who comment on my blog because I appreciate their (and your) interaction so much. It helps this be more of a learning process and not just a recording process. And that is one of my main goals in life, to learn and grow and improve. That’s also why I get so much out of reading other blogs.
Thanks for sharing – I appreciate you too. 😀
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I completely agree, in the year I’ve been blogging I’ve learned so much about myself. I love the interaction, conversing and geting to know my lovely readers in print. This has been the really fun part of my blogging journey. Thank you for being one of my favourites to follw and for the honest insight. 😊
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Pingback: are you still following me? | The Honking Goose
I read a lot, comment less. I love pictures, though I write. You are worth reading, so believe those follows.
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Thank you for the compliment. I hope you will continue to enjoy the Honking Goose. 😀
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After reading this post of yours, I’m completely humbled that you started following my blog. I’m looking forward to getting to know you through your words.
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Ummm, thanks, I hope you enjoy it. You did notice the update at the end where I noted that my opinion has shifted since I first wrote this post, right?
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Sorry, did that make me sound like an asshole? I didn’t mean it that way…
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Can we have a redo? Hi! My name os Ruth.
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Nice to meet you. I am Goose. So I checked out your blog about your adorable kids and your momming of them and I’m looking forward to reading more from you. 🙂
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Couldn’t agree more!!!
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And then i hit reply like an idiot trying to fix a typo. I guess thay is me — hardly perfect. Anyway, thank you for following me. I love finding other bloggers to read and be inspired by.
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Me, too. 😀
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My blog is a rather small blog in terms of followers. I don’t publicize it and rather have it grow, if at all, slowly. The vast majority of follower never post on my blog and it’s my experience that about 25-30 followers join the conversation. I do try to visit the blogs that I follow and comment when I can, though it’s not always possible.
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Blogging can really be whatever we want to make out of it. If we want to have a lot of followers and readers, we can put in the work to get them. If that is not as important and we’re happy with a small loyal following, we can get that too.
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Hi, I am following and reading your blogs, I hope that’s ok, I completely understand people following in order to get followers, it’s infuriating!! I’d rather one follower who actually reads something I write not a 1000 who don’t, keep up the good work
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I thought it was infuriating too, when I first wrote this blog post. But truth be told, I’ve seen a different side of the issue since I first posted this. If someone takes the time to find me and follow my blog then that is an opportunity to check them out too and maybe hook them in by interacting on their blog or mine. Some really awesome blogger relationships have formed that way. So I can see both sides now. 😀
Thanks so much for checking out the Honking Goose!
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I too wonder why people follow me, when I have nearly 400 followers but only about 20 hits a day. At the beginning, most “followers” seemed to be the “make money blogging – find out how from me” kind of bloggers. That kind of stuff annoys me, and seems contrary to the whole idea of blogging.
I don’t follow anybody because how would I have time to read what anybody has to say and have time to write what I have to say? I squeeze in blogging (and beading, and Bible study, and making collages and painting) in a week filled with the mundania of a 40-hour a week job. Sure, it would be great to have all that free time to read other people’s words of wisdom. Maybe I should start blogging for money – I’ll then be able to quit my job.
Or feel like a sell-out.
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Well, if we don’t make the time to read other people’s blogs, how can we expect them to make the time to read ours, right? It’s tough to balance. Believe me, I know. So that makes me really appreciate all the more when someone takes the time to read my blog and like or comment. Thanks for checking it out and I hope you can come back again!
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I tend to follow back any person who is interested enough to follow my Blog, until I discover a good reason not to. And since I do read Blogs that I follow, and comment on them when time permits, I’ll even follow those that have only “liked” my Blog, and are not yet following it. I do this because I find that once they receive a couple of sincere comments on a couple of their posts, they often decide to start following me at which time my initial rules for following kick in. Good reasons for me to stop following a Blog once I have started following it are usually things like extremely “unnecessary” profanity, a distinct intolerance of other people’s views or ideas, or basically anything that would make a particular Blog totally unsuitable for family-type viewing-not because I have any live-in family, but because that’s the type of Blog I choose to read, and after all, I’m the one in my residence who’s doing the reading. But anyway, didn’t mean to get all runny-at-the-mouth on you, just wanted to say thanks for the follow…at least I think that’s why I started writing this. : )
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Sounds like you have a pretty reliable system in place. I don’t think you’ll have any reason to unfollow the Honking Goose. I’m a mom, so I stay in a pretty family friendly zone without even trying. There is some cussing, but it is very limited. I hope you do enjoy it. But if you don’t, that’s okay too. It is a matter of preference, so I don’t take it personally if anyone unfollows. To each their own! 😀
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I detest profanity on a blog , unless of course it shows at the beginning that it is an explicit writing , and then I will choose to see if I am interested in it.
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Profane: …3. unholy, heathen, pagan (Dictionary.com)
I myself am a heathen and a pagan. I don’t think I am unholy, but that may be a judgement call. Point being, my words here reflect who I am. This may not be the blog for you if that is a deal breaker.
I would argue that none of my words here are holy, so by default perhaps all of them are profanity. I don’t discriminate against some words over other words, to me they are all equal. Language is not static, it is constantly changing to suit the needs of the people that use it. So nothing is set in stone as far as usage goes.
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Hi! Thanks for the follow. Love this post ! And glad you didn’t change it. 🙂
I am a busy girl and read what I can when I can. So that means for me, being a bit behind in reading posts. So I look forward to those moments when all I do is read. WordPress has impressed me with it’s diversity. 🙂
Again, looking forward to reading more. 🙂
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I’m glad you found something of interest here at the Honking Goose. 😀
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first off thank you for the following , and secondly thank you for the honesty of your writing. I am on numerous sites, and I just enjoy spreading my feelings and thoughts of my own and others. I am what I classify as a story telling poet , because I write the stories in rhyme and verse which I find more of a challenge to me, besides keeping me awake .( ha ha )ost all of my poems are on poem hunter.com and I am on fb . I write about everything and try to cover all topics of what I and others go through in life. anyways ! thank you so much for coming to my page,
LOVE, HOPE , FAITH
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Thanks for taking the time to read the Honking Goose. I’m a big fan of poetry that rhymes. I like to read out loud. It’s fun for the tongue. 🙂
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a tongue twister I will never write , because it never turns out right.
and I ‘ll end this with GOOD NIGHT – sleep tight,
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Wow! Just read every comment and your responses. Thanks to Everybody! This has been on my mind, too. I love followers. I love likes (agree the term is sometimes awkward). I love love love comments. Short. Medium. Long. Whatever. I want to know someone cared enough to take a look and a read! Time is precious. I write because what I say matters. To me. It’s a little thrill to know they matter to others as well.
BTW, thanks for the Follow!!!!
Elouise
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It was quite an interesting conversation, wasn’t it? I really appreciated all the comments and I learned so much from everybody. It changed my approach to blogging and I’m having a lot of fun with it. Thanks for taking the time to read the Honking Goose. 😀
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I did read this post and am following you. Thanks for following Nutsrok
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Cheers! 😀
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Yes, I got quite frustrated with this myself. I’m new to blogging but I now make it a practice when someone follows me NOT to follow right back. I wait and see if they actually become part of my blog neighbourhood by commenting, etc. or just followed to try and get that follow back. It seems you and I think alot alike! 🙂
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Well, I agreed with me too, when I wrote this. But all the responses I got did allow me to see things in a new way, also. It may not be as black and white as I first thought.
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FYI, I followed you because this post made me laugh, it was exactly what I was wondering this morning with some people that followed me, not because you followed me 🙂
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Any time I can make someone laugh, that’s good. Thanks for the follow. 😀
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“That method of following just to get follow backs…”
In the beginning I fell for this. Now I do answer the new visitors and make at least one hello thanks to their blog. But don’t follow until they become regulars on my blog.
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Truthfully, I’m beginning to see this issue in a new light. There are only a few options to tap other bloggers on the shoulder, likes, comments, and follows. I’m realizing that I can push myself to do more of all three of these things in order to network with other WordPress-ers.
So I’m feeling a lot less judge-y about it than I did when I wrote this post.
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Point well made
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Thank you for this post. Although I don’t always comment in peoples blogs I follow, i try and like a post to show my support. Reading this reminded me how great feedback can be and how it keeps the creative juices flowing. So I won’t unfollow just yet… 😉
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I know how much I enjoy getting comments on my blog (very much) so I try to make an effort to comment on other blogs as well.
Thanks for honking at me!
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Thank you very much for stopping by & choosing to follow my simple blog 🙂
My feelings are very similar to yours. I may not always make a comment on each post (English is not my native language/others may have already left nice comments & I don’t want to be redundant, etc), but I make an effort to read the entries for the very nice sites I’ve been lucky to discover. I sincerely hope my photos will bring a smile to your face 🙂 Best wishes from Japan.
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I don’t follow people simply because they follow me. I only follow people that I intend on reading. Or in the case of OM reading when he writes. I seldom read his guest posts. I’m picky. I only read posts that interest me, so if I follow you, you know it’s beause I enjoy reading what you have to say.
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Wow. I was gonna follow you but now I am too scared! I skim some posts, but I do look at all of them. I have a lot of followers (not anywhere near 44,000) and I can’t read every word. I realize this means you don’t want me to follow you so I will respect that even though I would like to follow you and read all and skim some of your posts. My decision. I guess I just don’t understand getting judgemental about what someone chooses to do, or not do. I have so much more in life to focus on than what other people do, or in this case, don’t do. Live and let live. Read or don’t read. Follow or don’t follow. Why would I presume to think what someone else should do. My own life is hard enough to manage as I know is everyone elses. I must be really dumb because I am so grateful for every like and follow. I have made such excellent blogging friends. When I started to blog, I was really hoping to get 10 followers and I tried to bribe family members to follow which never worked! Blogging has opened up to be so much more, such a wonderful world of incredible people. I love it. And I like your blog too! ❤
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Well, as I indicated in the update, I’ve had a change of perspective since I first wrote this post. However, I won’t remove it because it was the catalyst for me learning so much more about blogging. Also, there are over a hundred comments on this thread which deserve to be preserved as well.
If I only wrote things about which I was sure I would never change my mind in the future, I don’t think I would write very much at all.
Thanks for checking out the Honking Goose and for your feedback, as well. Cheers! 😀
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You are so correct. In all that you have written it is voicing the feelings of many new bloggers. But you know, follows and likes are important. Thanks for the follow. Visit you again .
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I’ve learned since writing this that I can get back as much as I’m willing to put in with blogging and my outlook has shifted to being much more positive. Thanks for your comment!
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I laughed at this post, because it’s how I feel too. The same blogger also followed me, but unlike you I don’t think he read any of mine – only because he never made a comment or even threw me a “like” after the first one which got him a follow.
I also wrote a similar post but it was directed at the bloggers who try to sell you on their lifestyle – but I’ve never been inclined to contribute to their sales quota.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
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What I’ve learned since writing this is that you get back what you give in the WP blogging community. I have been making a huge effort with this blog (it’s my second) to read a lot of other blogs and like and comment on them. And I’ve been seeing the direct effect of my efforts with the increase in traffic and comments here on my own blog.
I guess I did know that before; I had read that advice, but I hadn’t realized how much I could do if I just tried harder.
Thanks for visiting the Honking Goose and for your comment. 🙂
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Your points are valid. Truth be told I make it a policy of following anyone who follows me. But in this case you followed me first 🙂
I can’t promise I will have time to read everything you post, nor do I expect you to read everything I post. But since you found something on my site interesting enough to choose to follow me, I am sure that I will find the same on your site. When it shows up in my reader I’ll take a look.
Thanks for stopping by,
cb
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Hi, started blogging about 3 months ago. I want 100m followers to follow me.
But I’m a dreamer. Seriously, I like to blog and if someone out there likes to read
my post, hey pls do. If not..I will not slit my wrist.
Your blog makes me laugh!! for real. Where do you get your topics. Everywhere, right? Been trying to come up with a draft but damm..can’t seem to think of
anything right now. I have eaten most of the lunchmeat, bread, apples,
one carrot stick and the last half of kit kat in my fridge, still nothing comes to
mind about what to write..maybe a glass of wine will help.
Gotta go, keep writing. Love your style.
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I visited you because you followed me and I hope you will or have read some of my posts. I read this post, but whether or not I read anymore remains to be seen. Depends on a wide variety of things. Time being the main issue. If you visit me and remind me you’re out there, you’re more likely to get a return visit and a read.As far as anyone reading my posts after following me, I hope they do, but that’s entirely up to them. Have a nice day. 🙂
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Thanks for taking a peek over here. I hope you’ll be back again. 😀
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How cool is this. Love the honking geese. Awesome stuff. Very powerful…you kinda match my thinking, it is amazing! So amazing! Hope you get time to read my posts too at PeaceCrafting.WordPress.com I would love to have you around 🙂
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Thanks for reading and for the great compliment. Your blog looks really enticing.
We homeschooled our two boys for two years, it was a really positive experience. Now they are back at public school, because it was the right thing/time for them.
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I agree with you wholeheartedly. I did follow the blog you mentioned an was inundated by emails for every post that appeared on his blog. Problem is, he shares other people’s and is prolific in putting them on. I had to unfollow him because he was jamming up my email. Drove me mad. Good luck with your blog and thanks for following me.
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I don’t regret what I wrote because through all the responses and the dialog I learned so much about WordPress blogging that I hadn’t really been exposed to before. The truth is OM has read and commented on my blog multiple times since then, so my accusations turned out to be false. And I read his blog regularly now too. I really enjoy it.
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Thanks for following me. I am intrigued from what I’ve seen on your blog so far. I am new too and I get it! I will definitely be following you but not for personal gain!:)
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Thank you for reading the Honking Goose 😀
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Thank you for following me, Honking Goose. I hope it is my images that interest you.
To comment on your honk about followers/following, in my experience people do the craziest things!
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I had marked your blog as one to come back to and take a closer look at. Thanks for visiting mine, too! 🙂
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You followed me and I love that — and I wholeheartedly hope you’ll read me, including older pieces I’m proud of. Like you, my attitude is that numbers mean very little if no relationship gets built, no thoughts actually get shared, people are clicking buttons in a robot-like fashion. I write because I can’t help it … and when someone likes, comments, follows, I maintain an insane hope that they’ve recognized a connection of some sort. I read your piece about “what gays have taken from us,” and I love it. I’m a straight human (whatever that means) who stands for equality in all things, for every reason in the world. I look forward to your next post!
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Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and visiting and reading some things here at the Honking Goose. Nice to meet you!
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I love that you are able to pet the thoughts of many of us down. Kudos
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😀
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sorry, that was supposed to be ‘pen’
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Hello. I’m pretty new on WordPress, and thank you kindly for the follow. I’m really glad I read your post. A part of me (the insecure, perpetually thirteen-year-old attention-whore) would love nothing but to have lots of followers–the same goes for my Twitter account and stuff–but then another part of me…doesn’t.
This post hit the nail on the head for me. You’re right. Connection is what matters, not empty statistics. Thank you. I needed some perspective on this.
In any case, lovely to meet you, and equally lovely to read your “second born” blog. ^_^
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I think I must have found your blog through OM, I’m not sure. Anyway, this post about following sparked a really strong reaction from people. I learned so much from reading all the feedback I got in the comment section. There were some things I didn’t understand when I first wrote all this. Anyway, thanks for reading the Honking Goose and you might want to read the comments on this thread for further food for thought on following and interacting with other bloggers. 😀
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It’s not your imagination, there are followers who have no interest in what the blog post is about. I find it very irritating. When you click back to their blog, you’ll often find that they are selling protein shakes or How to Make Loads of Money While Blogging. It’s shameless. Like you, I’m not into the numbers, but wishing for a real connection with other writers and photographers and thinkers and poets and genuine people.
Anyhow, welcome to WordPress!! I’m glad you’ve decided to stay.
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Thank you for taking a look at the Honking Goose and for commenting. I followed your blog because you posted about Portland. I haven’t been there since I was a little kid, but I always here so many good things about it. I think I might like to move there someday, so I want to learn everything I can about it.
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You beat me to this. I already wondered about the following and confirmed it’s something common to bloggers who have a large following. It’s like they’re saying “Hey look at me. Come join my numbers.” Unfortunately I have to check out the blogs of every follower to see if they have content I’m interested in.
I’m more interested in comments and feedbacks (engagement) than numerous likes.
You should do a post for “If you don’t read it, don’t like it” too.
Nice blog
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Hmm, yeah. Sometimes I wish there was a different name for the ‘like’ button. I tend to click it if someone’s article kept me engaged and I read the whole thing. But sometimes people write about really personal or tragic events and it feels wrong to click ‘like’ on a post of that nature.
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Well said! I feel the same
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TY
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I agree with you.People who have loads of followers slowly just follow you back and never look back.In two months I have learnt that.And besides I have realized that receiving a lot of followers or likes is not a guarantee of your writing being good.There are multiple other factors. For me,if someone bothers to comment to critise or appreciate you,that is Something…But this is a busy place and it rarely happens,but when it does,its worth it all
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Well, on the flip side, getting lots of likes, follows, and comments does push me to write more and better. It makes me work harder at it when I know more people will see it.
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