Chapter four of the book is titled, “How to respond to comments.” The chapter explains the difference in monitoring comments across multiple platforms and the absolute best way to do it. The author also explains that there is an advanced search you can do on Twitter that most people are unaware of, myself included before reading. The chapter continues to explain the difference between using hashtags and mentions. Hashtags should be used to organize topics to better help people find related topics while mentions should be used to get the attention of the account you chose to mention in the post. The chapter is full of valuable advice.
One piece really stuck out to me. In a later chapter, the author candidly states that when owning social media, we often get caught up in the number of followers we have and are constantly striving to get more. Creators want to be able to have a large gaining of followers. Everyone does. But what we often forget are the numerous followers we have that have very little interactions with or account. What got my attention most was the part of chapter four that points out that most people who see your posts simply read what you have to say and continue scrolling without commenting or sharing. This section of the book points out that we must remember that we are also posting content for those people, the ones we do not see retweeting or posts or commenting. We may not always know it, but they are there, too. The author reminds us to “consider the total audience".
I think that may be one of the hardest things to keep in mind while preparing to share a post. Sometimes we may be writing a particular piece just to get the attention of a select person or few. We focus on them, whether it’s to prove them wrong because they previously commented something we disagreed with or it can go in the opposite direction where we learn what a certain person or people like and continue to share similar content. So many of our followers do not fit into that category, though. They silently watch and listen to what we have to say and continue checking their social media without us knowing their presence. For me, that is a terrible thought. They have their own judgments about what you write, and you may never know what that is. At least when someone comments, good or bad, you have responses. You know in which direction to take your next post. But not with the majority of your audience. You are on display for their entertainment and receive no feedback.
Another piece of information in the chapter can help boost your ego if you become too worried about the silent majority. The author writes “assume people are good until proven bad.” While it was written as a response to comments you may receive, I believe it’s just as applicable to the lack of comments you may receive. In that scenario, I believe it’s best to be confident in what you’re putting out and to be confident in yourself.
