Putting it Together – Share My Stuff

The internet is a noisy place and it is going to keep getting noisier.  Yet here I am on the internet adding to the noise because that is where the people are.

I’m talking a lot about trying to make a career out of being a writer.  So far I’m doing well at making a hobby out of being a writer because I’m not getting paid all that much to do it.  The most important part of the equation is getting people to read what I’m writing.

It’s hard to do that when the majority of information that people see in their Facebook feeds is Buzzfeed quizzes and Upworthy videos.

That isn’t anyone’s fault, you understand, that is the algorithm that Facebook uses to make money.  It is annoying, yes, but we are using a free tool and that means we have to live with their rules.  I’m trying to game the rules a little bit, though.

Here’s advice I can give to you if you enjoy my (or anyone else’s) stuff.  When we post it to Facebook, like it.  Even if you don’t read it.  Like it.  The more people who like something, the more people will see that thing in their news feeds.

If you actually click through to read it, comment on it.  Feedback is the most helpful thing creators get.  Is there a typo?  Tell them!  Did you like what they had to say?  Tell them!

Did you like it so much you think other people should read it?  Share it!  Post it on Reddit.  Retweet it.  Retweets are the easiest thing in the world but they make a big difference to people who are trying to get their words in front of a wide audience.

Here’s what we need to remember – no matter what the Facebook algorithm that governs your news feed does, Facebook is a community.  And a community supports each other.

When I see creative friends doing something that I think is awesome, I support it with a click.  I like their post.  I say I’m attending their show even if it is doubtful that I’ll be able to make it.  There is power in supporting the work of people who aren’t on Buzzworthy (or Upfeed).

If you want to advance the next meme, make the next meme be your friend’s Etsy shop or your favorite podcast or your favorite writer’s blog.

The internet is a noisy place, yes.  But we have the power to cut through the noise if we remember there are ways to turn up the volume on the right stuff.

This post is about boosting my own signal, yes.  But it is also about boosting the signal of everyone who is creating something more personal than a quiz to figure out which Game of Thrones character you are.

I’ve been trying to become far more supportive of my friends online lately.  When they write an interesting blog post, I retweet it.  I like it.  I comment on it.

I don’t expect this blog post will start a revolution on Facebook but if you read it, do me a favor and take a moment to share something that someone you know has created.  Did your favorite podcast just release a new episode?  Great!  Tell everyone how much you enjoy listening!  Did your favorite web series just launch a Kickstarter?  Great!  Tell your friends about it.  Is a good friend raising money for charity?  Great!  Share their donation page!  And donate five bucks.

When you like something, share it with others.  That way they can like it too.  And maybe we’ll all see a few less “what character are you” quizzes in our news feed.