I have been noticing lately that there does seem to be many members on the site on a daily basis. As I look around and read the posts I can see just how many other people have also read the same posts. We are glad that there are many people reading the posts and blogs. Do you know what would make this site better? If you would take a few minutes to leave a comment or a question others will get to know you and what you are all about. By posting and leaving a comment you will be making friends in the Art Show Business all over the country. This will be great networking for you, too. It is very rewarding when you finally get to meet other artists that you have interacted with here at AFI. Meeting artists at shows allows you to actually put a face to the name that you have been conversing with for months and maybe eventually years.
As I have been looking around and reading blogs and posts I can actually see that many postings have 100, 200, or more views but maybe only 5 people have left a comment. I understand that we can't always leave a comment because sometimes we don't have a background on a particular topic. Sometimes just leaving a simple "this has been great reading" or "I have enjoyed reading all these comments", or even "thanks for starting this topic". We will all benefit as more and more people take part and get involved. Reach out, welcome new people, comment, that is the kind of interaction and activity that makes this such a great site. If you have just been a lurker for a while break out of your shell and get to know us so we can get to know you. Lurkers, we are calling you to come out and get to know us.
I think it is safe to say that we would all be disappointed if there weren't blogs and posts to read here. We would soon become bored and wouldn't be coming back here. Don't be afraid to leave a comment no matter how small. It is appreciated. Start a post or blog. What is on your mind? What are you having a problem with? Take a few minutes and welcome the newbies. Just make sure you leave a little comment so that we know you are here! The AFI members are what makes this site great.
Jacki B
Comments
I certainly hope I wasn't sending out a blog inflicting guilt on anyone. We are all busy. I know that and understand that. We have had 133 views on this blog already but only 5 comments. And I have read posts without commenting, too. I am just trying to get more people involved in the community. It can only make this group better. Thanks everyone for your two cents.
Jacki B
I agree with Jim - and I notice the same thing on my blog. It's always nice to get more people to participate and I'm glad you posted. But some people are just more chatty than others. And that's okay. :)
Sometimes I (and I'm sure this goes for a ton of people) suffer from social network overload and just get burnt out. So some months I'm better at being a community-type person...and others I'm a total lurker. Doesn't mean I'm not still visiting all my regular sites. I'm just less inclined to "participate". It's just how it goes I guess. :)
Readership will always exceed participation. Just remember that participation includes lurkers, sometimes commenters and those who contribute regularly. It's called "participation inequality", and, according to Jakob Neilsen, a well-known usability expert, you can't overcome it. Sure, you can encourage people to chime in, but generally, you'll have a 90% lurker, 9% occasional commenter, and just 1% of your total population will contribute 90% of the content.
See the full article here, if you're interested in the whys and wherefores:
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/participation_inequality.html
Thanks to Holly Olinger for posting this link on Facebook this morning. I used to read Alertbox much more frequently than I do now. Jakob Neilsen has been writing on usability and web mechanics for years. (interesting to note the date on this article)
I have to admit that I've been mostly a lurker since summer ended and school started. I'm happy to say that I'm still busy with local shows and custom orders, but it is more difficult to find the time to fit it all in and give 100% to my first graders.
I will try add an acknowledgment in the future. :)