What grinds my gears?

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 07/17/2015 at 11:54 • Filed to: None

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Writers, journalists, producers...professional storytellers basically...who are either just getting their start or aren’t big but produce good content but refuse to interact with their fans. On social media, written articles, videos...whatever; You write to them expressing interest, or asking a question, or whatever and they say nothing. You may even be the only comment on their social media posts...nothing.

Conversely, nothing is quite as sweet as making a comment on a seasoned professional’s article, video, whatever and you get a quick and thoughtful response. Do these new comers not realize that they are in the business of making and building a fan base?

I know its a dumb thing to be bent out of shape over, but it bugs me.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 11:57

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This is why I like Murilee. She actually replies to her fans.

HammerheadFistpunch > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 11:59

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I should point out that im not singling out any bad experiences here, actually I just had a good experience and it made my realize how annoying the bad ones are.

Hermann > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 11:59

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That’s really annoying.

Or false interaction. Like asking a question to fans/readers/viewers and not giving a shit about people’s answers.

HammerheadFistpunch > Hermann 07/17/2015 at 12:00

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yeah, that too.

Berang > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 12:03

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It can be annoying, but it’s important not to read too much into it. Some people are busy, some people are clueless, sometimes people plan to respond but don’t get around to it or forget. People have their reasons, and its very, very, very rarely “I’m too good to write to you”.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Hermann 07/17/2015 at 12:04

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This bugs me, but from a different angle:

Sometimes I’ll ask Oppo a question, and I find many replies are awkward to respond to, but I don’t like leaving them hanging.

Face to face you can nod (for oppo equivalent try recommend) and throw in a few mmmms but doing only that here feels a bit douchy.

Hermann > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 07/17/2015 at 12:05

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Not sure if internal joke .

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Hermann 07/17/2015 at 12:06

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Absolutely internal joke.

HammerheadFistpunch > Berang 07/17/2015 at 12:07

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Oh I know. but the fact that seasoned pros who have all the same excuses can do it doesn’t leave me a lot of love for the new guys trying to make a name for themselves that can’t.

Hermann > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/17/2015 at 12:08

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I think here on Oppo a simple “recommend” might serve as a nod, at least I always saw them as such.

Also, not interacting with things that don’t really have an answer or aren’t worth the bother are different from completely disregarding comments. Don’t worry if you’re not interacting with all comments.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Hermann 07/17/2015 at 12:13

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Upstairs, I think I know that but it still bugs me. Nice to hear it from someone else though, thanks!

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 12:14

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cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 12:17

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Not sure I count as a big time writer but replying to the comments and stories people post on my articles is my second favorite part of my job. Matt Farah and the RCR guys are also really good at treating their audience right.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 12:20

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On this topic, I have enormous respect for Mark Tatull i, who (back when I actually was doing Facebook) actively friended people commenting on his work, and was willing to have conversations with them.

Whatever that diff is, it’s nearly identical to a Rover one if it isn’t some variety.

Berang > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 12:21

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It’s difficult - well unreasonable really, to try and figure out what it may be. I’ve known people who are just introverted, and people who were too depressed to handle personal interaction. For some people it’s a strangely selfish act. They write because writing is enjoyable. That somebody else reads it is beside the point. And that’s ok. They just have no interest in interaction. Sometimes I feel that way - everything I wanted to say is in the thing I made, and I have no interest in going any further with the subject. But never discount that whoever may not even be aware of your post/inquiry/compliment/whatever. That happens a lot too.

I do enjoy when people make time to talk to us common folk. Some years ago I corresponded with the late Bob Sinclair. Nothing of importance, just some talk about his memories of Subarus and Malcolm Bricklin, and of the Wartburg he imported. He was clearly a man who was interested in talking about cars, with anybody who had anything interesting to say. I feel like I could write to plenty of other people who’ve worked in the industry and they woudln’t care enough to say much if anything. It’s nice when people are open, but I could understand somebody having other priorities.

HammerheadFistpunch > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 07/17/2015 at 12:21

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Matt, RCR, etc are great examples. and I agree with you, replying to comments is the biz. I’ve been disapointed with some journalists in the overland community lately, but I’ve had some great experiences as well. its just funny that the people you wouldn’t expect to respond do, and the ones who you think will...don’t.

HammerheadFistpunch > Berang 07/17/2015 at 12:24

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I get where you are coming from. It doesn’t bother me enough to loose sleep over it, but for the people I’m referencing, their livelihood is literally getting and growing an audience in which case, sorry, but you just can’t afford to turn up your nose at people interested in your work.

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/17/2015 at 12:28

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Toyota Hi pinion front. My good experience lately has been with Andrew St. Pierre White. He’s been doing the overland thing for years and years and has all the credibility and success to have great reasons to not bother trying to cultivate any kind of relationship with some random berke on the interwebs, but he always responds kindly and promptly to my inquiries and its made all the difference. Some new comers to this market wont even +1 a comment even if its the only one on their video/post. Lame.

Ike > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 12:28

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As a upcoming (hopefully) podcaster I promise you write me on Twitter or email, I will get back to you

HammerheadFistpunch > Ike 07/17/2015 at 12:29

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There are scores of awesome people like you out there and I can tell you it makes a world of difference for growing your market...which is why it astounds me there are people out there who wont do it and expect a huge following

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 12:32

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As much fun as “berk” is to say, I save it for special occasions. I’ve been told (don’t know if it’s true) that it’s by way of being “berkshire hunt” cockney rhyming slang...

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/17/2015 at 12:36

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good to know. Mine is Berke...with an e. it stands for, uh...Berkelberry pie eater. a berkelberry being a...um...dammit.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Hermann 07/17/2015 at 12:42

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Like Dora the Explorer

uofime-2 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/17/2015 at 12:48

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isnt’ that what stars are for?

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > uofime-2 07/17/2015 at 12:55

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Yes, but that often doesn’t feel like enough.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 12:58

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problem is that their attention is usually divided since their passion is only their side gig... gotta pay the bills first.

HammerheadFistpunch > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 07/17/2015 at 13:01

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I guess. Its not that I have a grudge with the people who don’t, as much as i appreciate those that do. at the end of the day, some of these people are trying to take this side hobby and make it a profession, in which case...why wouldn’t you engage your audience?

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 13:03

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Totally agree. I try to reply to all the coments my posts generate... except the idiot ones.

HammerheadFistpunch > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 07/17/2015 at 13:04

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I mean, we’re all busy right? We all have excuses, but the mark of the true professional is the one that understands that their audience is their boss, and its good to keep the boss happy.

Ike > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 14:00

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Well, I think if you expect for people to listen and follow you this day and age. It’s all about being available to the fans; yeah at a certain point could it get overwhelming, maybe?

But at the end of the day you are selling your self to your listeners, and they are truely what you are “ selling” to your sponsors and advertisers. So if you have a good fan base and can mobilize them, that’s more important then a really large fan base.

Just kinda of rambling now sorry

HammerheadFistpunch > Ike 07/17/2015 at 14:03

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Not rambling, good stuff.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 14:06

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Ha, slut. But I get what you mean, anything media related has the audience as its boss.

Stef Schrader > HammerheadFistpunch 07/17/2015 at 14:35

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Man, I reeeeeeally try to read comments and get back to people, but time is the biggest enemy. I give other folks the benefit of the doubt if I don’t hear from them, TBH.

HammerheadFistpunch > Stef Schrader 07/17/2015 at 15:30

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Trying is the part that matters.