Building Connections on Persona Paper
Connections online are just as important as networking is in the physical world, and are really two words that have the same meaning in the context of becoming known and knowing. With the exception of celebrities and other famous people, each of us is but a single entity in the sea that is the worldwide web.
Why Do We Want to Become Known?
In general, we write to communicate ideas, recollections, thoughts and more. That communication can only happen when there is someone -- or many -- who read what we have written. Having more connections or a wider network increases the chances that someone will read what we've written and may even return to read more in the future.
Having others read our work is a satisfying feeling. That satisfaction increases with the size of our readership, and in forums such as Persona Paper, interaction in the form of comments can create a compelling force to do more of the same.
How Do We Become Known on Persona Paper?
If you've never written on a platform such as the one here at Persona Paper, you may be wondering how you can attract community members to your posts. The old adage, "To have a friend, you must be a friend first," comes to mind.
Newcomers and veteran writers alike should peruse the "Member List" found in the top left column under "Browse" at the top of the page. You may find others there that you already know, to whom you can connect by going to that person's Profile page and clicking "Connect" in the upper right hand corner. From that point forward, that D person's posts will show up in your Activity list. Do this with as many or as few members as you choose.
An alternative method is to check out the Home page for recent posts, reading those that pique your interest. Leave a comment on the posts you've read, if you have something to add or ask. Valid comments of 30 or more characters earn YOU a coin each time you make one. Here again, if you find someone's writing that interests you, go to his/her Profile page and "Connect."
Won't People Find My Writing All on Their Own?
I don't want to burst any bubbles of hope here, but should Homer or Shakespeare live in our times, they would have to do the same thing as you and me: Reach out to others to build a readership.
FOPP - Connections - BuildingConnections - PersonaPaper
Image Credit » https://pixabay.com/en/cable-computer-sata-s-ata-541064/ by blickpixel
Comments
6snowroses.6doves4peace wrote on October 21, 2015, 5:56 PM
I agree with everything you've written here, Feisty56. It's the same in the other group I belong to, and I would expect nothing less here. That's why I'm trying to read others here before I write each night. Only fair to go about things that way in my view. And I must say I enjoy reading you! It's hard for me to post pictures, but perhaps I'll get one or two on here someday.
2MegL wrote on October 21, 2015, 6:08 PM
It would be lovely to find a Homer or Shakespeare on here but as you say, they would have to build their connections like the rest of us!
2AliCanary wrote on October 21, 2015, 6:28 PM
Excellent, excellent, excellent. You have not only done a great job distilling the point of online writing but also produced a great tutorial. I like it a lot! Sharing.
2lookatdesktop wrote on October 21, 2015, 6:32 PM
You are right. the times they are a changing and we have to adapt to the changes. I think it a bit ironic that during the days of the internet as we live and breath, we often fail to recognize our nearest neighbors in the physical world. I would like to actually see more people connecting on that level. It seems most of my family use the internet to communicate and that is fine but nothing is as fundamental to our species as setting together in the same room in good conversation. Perhaps we need to find a way to balance things out.
1Feisty56 wrote on October 21, 2015, 8:36 PM
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy my writing. I truly enjoy reading and commenting on others' posts here on Persona Paper, more than I have at any other site. At some sites it has felt like pulling teeth to get to know folks -- I don't belong to those sites any longer. I hope the longer you are here, the more you'll enjoy the give and take, too.
Feisty56 wrote on October 21, 2015, 8:38 PM
I don't know, MegL . We may not have Homer or Shakespeare here, but we do have some fine minds -- yours included.
cheri wrote on October 21, 2015, 8:41 PM
I do agree 100 % for every word you said here
1Feisty56 wrote on October 21, 2015, 8:42 PM
Thank you kindly, AliCanary ! I've thought it would be handy to have info like this available for those who newly sign-on in a place that's easy for them to find -- not necessarily anything I've written, but info to help them become acquainted with the working of the site.
1Feisty56 wrote on October 21, 2015, 8:47 PM
I agree with you that balance is necessary and a positive thing in all aspects of our life.
Feisty56 wrote on October 21, 2015, 8:54 PM
Agreed. I am hoping Will finds time soon to handle that.
wolfgirl569 wrote on October 21, 2015, 8:56 PM
I try to hit the home page at least a couple of times a week. That works the best for me
1Feisty56 wrote on October 21, 2015, 8:58 PM
Thank you, cheri . I have seen you in many of the comment sections around the site and think you are a wonderful example of a community member here.
Feisty56 wrote on October 21, 2015, 9:10 PM
And I don't get to the Home page often enough. So much to do...so little time. : )
wolfgirl569 wrote on October 21, 2015, 11:13 PM
Thats why I am happy if I do it a couple of times a week lol
1Paulie wrote on October 21, 2015, 11:56 PM
Reaching out to others to build a relationship is so very important not only on Persona Paper but also in life.
2BarbRad wrote on October 22, 2015, 1:12 AM
You bring so much encouragement to this group. I just want you to know how much I appreciate it.
1AliCanary wrote on October 22, 2015, 8:16 AM
Actually, the internet has helped me make a TON of friends in real life. I socialize much more these days than I did when I could only meet people through work or by happenstance. And of course we all arrange our real-life parties and get-togethers via the internet!
2lookatdesktop wrote on October 22, 2015, 9:47 AM
Just call me old fashion. I take after my father. He liked to talk on the CB radio and made friends who lived in his neck of the woods. I would have to say, I like my connections.
Feisty56 wrote on October 22, 2015, 11:13 AM
I had become something of a pro with networking in my nursing and social service positions, something I came to value highly. Those of us who have written on various sites understand the value of making connections and reaching out, but for those who may be new to this, I wanted to provide encouragement and a path.
Feisty56 wrote on October 22, 2015, 11:17 AM
Thank you, BarbRad . Although FOPP is not an active group/idea here these days, I am trying to follow through with at least some of those goals we found to be important. I think there is still a strong core informal group here who stay positive and give all they can of their available time/energy to help make Persona Paper all it can be, you included.
1markgraham wrote on October 22, 2015, 1:44 PM
You have mentioned some very good facts and ideas in this article and building relationships whether in person or on a computer one must be able to trust.
1Feisty56 wrote on October 22, 2015, 2:05 PM
Yes, trust is a important issue whether that be in person or online. I know that I am rather reserved when I first meet people, not out of any sense of superiority, but because I must first feel out a person for their trustworthiness.
markgraham wrote on October 22, 2015, 2:09 PM
Nothing wrong in being reserved in any type of situation you are a part.
1Colibry21 wrote on October 22, 2015, 7:59 PM
It is true what you say. We do need to do a little more than just write. We need to interact with others.
1Feisty56 wrote on October 22, 2015, 10:41 PM
In order not only to earn, but to build a following, interaction is necessary. I find the interaction to be rewarding. Even if you don't interact on the sites where you write, then you must interact on social media to promote, promote, promote yourself and your writing. The time and energy has to be put in somewhere; it's up to each of us to decide the roads we want to take.
bestwriter wrote on October 24, 2015, 3:15 AM
Going through that members list it is pathetic to see how fast some newbies lose interest. No one looked for me when I was a newbie but I looked for them and rest as you know is history.
1Feisty56 wrote on October 24, 2015, 3:24 PM
Yes, I saddened when I look at the member list and see so many who had signed up here then within no time became inactive. I don't have any idea why that is so, since there's no way to reach out to such folks. To my way of thinking, if being greeted by already established members of the community might at all aid in encouraging newcomers to keep returning, then it is a practice worth its weight in gold.
It may help, it may not, but I feel it's worth the effort. I guess time will tell.
CoralLevang wrote on November 2, 2015, 2:26 PM
You are spot on with such sound advice. We can only do what we can do to help to influence. The rest is entirely up to their choices.
1I love what you write. Looking forward to trying to catch up a bit! xo
Feisty56 wrote on November 2, 2015, 6:00 PM
Thanks...and so happy to have you back home, at least for a bit. I appreciate your kind words, too, and the feeling is mutual. I wouldn't worry too much about catching up as just getting back into the swing of things. You'll wear yourself out before you know it.