Recently I was contacted out of the blue on Discord by a user who wanted to ask a question of me.
The user's question was:
"Why do I get no upvotes?
Yes, that old chestnut. Rather than go into a long and descriptive answer straight away I decided to pose a question in return which was:
"How many comments (on other people's posts) do you make per week?"
The answer was predictable:
"I only reply to comments on my own posts, if someone comments."
I think it's pretty clear why this user isn't getting any upvotes, don't you think?
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I'm amazed by the lack of understanding when it comes to building relationships, putting oneself on the map and nurturing one's account here on hive. A lack of education on hive's part? Should there be a basic training manual at the front-end somewhere as a user joins? Would anyone even read it though?
People seem unwilling to bother with outbound engagement. I think people simply feel they can throw up a post and just sit back and wait for the cash to roll in...But it's not like that; Not even the real world is like that generally, although the expectation ethos-plague does seem rather rife at the moment.
I've been here for almost three full years now, June 13th 2017 was my start date, and I have engaged a lot. I'm going to put it in italics actually as I feel I have earned the right...I have engaged a lot. And still, I am a small account, sometimes receiving only a few comments on my posts. It takes time and a lot of work to build here.
People see larger accounts and aspire to being them, gaining the same number of votes at least, but *don't want to put any effort into placing themselves in that position. Simply being here doesn't mean people deserve votes by default.
Unless one is within an upvote-circle-jerking scenario, which needs to be stamped out, or one simply creates a pile of alternative accounts and self-votes with a massive stake, votes can be hard to come by; This is exacerbated by people's failure to engage with others.
It doesn't make a lot of sense, but outbound engagement is seen as unimportant, when in truth it is vitally important.
On many occasions I'll open up a dialogue with a user and get no response, or a basic and careless thanks comment in reply. Opportunity lost - For them. I just move on. I even engage quite deeply with some on their posts but get no engagement back on my own posts; It's like they don't care...Ok, I'll take my engagement and votes elsewhere. That's the answer I guess.
You see, the word community means something. It means people coming together, it means a collective, it means sharing...Unfortunately it also means people feel they are owed something, that they deserve it...But that's not the case really, is it.
I guess the people that need to read this will not and those that do are probably already engaging. But here's the thing...For this to push forward we all need to work in the same direction and I see it as important for those of us who have been around for longer to take the lead; I mean those of us who actually care about it because there are many here who don't; Their behaviour clearly shows that. They may talk the talk, but simply don't back it up.
Back to our friend above...
I don't know what that account plans to do or if there's any plan at all. I mean, the account, created in April 2020, is already blacklisted on 
Engagement should not be seen as a chore or imposition. If an account only posted twice a week with something that showed passion, personality and effort, but outwardly-engaged 100 times a week on other people's posts, I am confident the result would be better than posting shitty cut/paste posts 37 times a week with no outbound engagement at all.
Outbound engagement, that is, commenting on other people's posts, is critical to relationship-building, longevity, enjoyment and upvotes. I believe in it, and believe it should largely happen on hive, not Discord.
I do not value laziness nor do I reward it. The same goes for ego and hubris, two personality traits a person should eliminate as quickly as possible. I apply that here on hive.
I'm also one who likes to help those who wish to help themselves and I get genuine enjoyment from doing so.
I don't think it's overstepping the mark to expect that a person here should take some responsibility for themselves. Yes, it can be difficult, yes, there's a few weird little clique's (groups) that act like kids in a schoolyard secluding others from their little crew and yes getting noticed can seem impossible...But it is not.
There are many curators out there looking for new users and interesting work; The key is for a user to put themselves out there, to run a flag up their flagpole, herald their existence to all and sundry and engagement is how that's done.
Or not. It's a choice, with some kind of result either way.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Be well
Discord: galenkp#9209