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Commenting and reaching out to people?
13 years ago
So I've been seeing a lot of different artist's pages here on FA and on dA, and I've been wondering if I'm not being social enough. On FA, there's people with thousands of comments, and on dA, there's people with even more. The stats on one specific artist I just ran into on dA is what made me post this journal: she's been on dA for 2 years and made 12,464 comments compared to me, who's been there for a year and made 178 comments. Before I started paying attention to stats, I thought I'd made a lot; then I look and see people like that, and my jaw just drops, because I can't even imagine how often she must comment on things (and I can't for the life of me figure out what she must say). But then I look through several of my favorite artists on dA and all their comments are in the tens of thousands too. How do people do that?
I mean, I like talking to people and making friends and things like that, but that's very hard for me to do without meeting people in person, since I normally don't know what to talk about with people. If all these comments are conversations, I probably won't ever be able to get that many, but I assume not all the comments are conversations, so what do people say?
Basically, I need some advice on reaching out to people and on commenting on art sites like FA and dA. How do you talk to people and make friends? What type of comments do you leave on things on art sites? Any idea how people manage to have thousands of comments in short periods of time? What type of things do you say?
I mean, I like talking to people and making friends and things like that, but that's very hard for me to do without meeting people in person, since I normally don't know what to talk about with people. If all these comments are conversations, I probably won't ever be able to get that many, but I assume not all the comments are conversations, so what do people say?
Basically, I need some advice on reaching out to people and on commenting on art sites like FA and dA. How do you talk to people and make friends? What type of comments do you leave on things on art sites? Any idea how people manage to have thousands of comments in short periods of time? What type of things do you say?
Also if ya ever wanna chat, send a note my way and I'll give ya my skype info, I'm on there alot more than on here.
I used to think that commenting on things required writing paragraphs about what you liked and didn't like, and I never commented on things when the only thing I could think to say was "That's so cute~!" since I thought people didn't like having comments like that as opposed to the paragraphs, which take way too long to write. I'm trying to grow out of that on here, but when I was mainly on dA, that was my thought process. And I don't watch anybody's journals on dA; I turned that off as soon as I realized I could, since I watch so many people (at least, I think that was the reason, I can't really remember why). I should fix that, probably.
I know stats aren't that important but I was feeling pretty down and was a bit being self-conscious. I do love what I do, but one day I want other people to like it too. I kinda want the people behind the stats, instead of just the stats, but I probably shouldn't worry about that too much.
Chatting would be fun~. Should I note you or will you put it here?
Rping can actually start pretty easily, I actually end up starting em by accident sometimes x3
As for journals, I barely ever check them, I only do when I'm on a person's page and see their most recent one thats there.
I'll note ya my info, I prefer keeping my skype hidden so random people I don't know can't add me.
I'm going to try it now~. Thanks for that, you've given me a little more confidence to try this~.
I actually try to read all the journals that aren't about commissions. When I start following too many people, this'll be next to impossible, but for now, I read them, even if I never comment. I do the looking at the recent journal thing when it's with someone I'm not watching.
I'm good with random people adding me, actually. XD I just got a Skype, so there's no one in my contacts, so random people might turn into new friends~.
As for random people, there often turns out to be alot of trolls that randomly add people, or spambots x3
Anyhoo, it is hard to make friends here. Especially if you are a socially awkward and/or overly suspicious person such as myself. >_>
The simplest thing to get the conversation going is to do just that and reply to someone who comments on your art, or comment to a piece that you really like. I'm not saying you have to do this to everybody, because you will go crazy if you reply to everybody. There is not enough time in the day to make sure everyone gets a reply sometimes. But it's a start. Even a simple 'Thanks!' works. Let people know there's a person there.
Art pieces that are conversation starters work too. Maybe draw fan art of a show you like, or draw your fursona doing something you like to do. Or vice versa; if you see artwork of a fur baking and you love to bake, you can mention it when you comment. 'Great pic! I love making cakes too.' You won't always get a reply, but you've at least made the effort.
It'll take time. Take it slow, don't look desperate. You don't want to make friends with people who make you uncomfortable.
As for roleplaying...this is something you want to be really careful with, because it can be uncomfortable in an instant with some of the people here who do it. I learned this very soon after I began to post here at FA. Know your limits, and don't feel forced to continue if someone makes you uncomfortable. Better yet, tell them so if they do. Don't be angry, but be firm. 'Sorry, I don't do this kind of roleplay' or 'Sorry, I can't continue.'If they don't like it, tough cookies. :3
Watch out for people who seem TOO friendly as well. Chances are they just want free art from you. It's the whole 'I've got a friend who's an artist' thing and it drives me bonkers.
I've made a few friends here, I think, but then again I'm the type that thinks having one or two friendly conversations with people automatically makes you friends.
I always comment back on comments on my art, or at least try to. I don't get many, so it's not hard for me. I'm trying the 'commenting on pieces I like' thing, but sometimes I feel bad when I can't really think of anything constructive to say.
I'm going to try that too. I draw lots of fan art, I just don't post it here since I used to think only furry works go on a furry site (I'm still learning things about this site). I'll post some here too. The 'doing something you like' thing, I'll try when I'm finished the art for other people. I want other's art out of the way before I start working on mine.
Luckily, I haven't met anyone like that yet, but I'll take your advice for future reference.
I haven't roleplayed much since I've been here, since I'm still learning how to start one, and I'm wondering if there's some type of etiquette for joining formal RPs or jumping into informal ones so I don't have much experience with that. But, I'll take this advice too.
That does sound like it'd be bothersome. I haven't met too friendly people either. I haven't been in the fandom for long enough to meet all these different types, but I'm sure I will at some point and want to thank you for warning me.