Over the weekend I was told on social media I was ‘lucky’ to have such a sizeable following. This struck me as odd as it’s not as if I woke up one morning and my followers count had gone through the ceiling. I wasn’t aware of any wand waving or puffing of smoke. The words ‘abracadabra’ or ‘hocus pocus’ never crossed my own, or any other person’s lips, as far as I’m aware.
No, it’s instead taken four years of engagement, promotion and sheer pig-headedness to get me to where I am today. I’ve turned up every day on social media and bared my soul. I’ve written thousands of blog posts and tens of thousands of tweets. I’ve probably replied to hundreds of thousands of comments. It’s been a challenge to keep my various accounts going and remain original and relevant to my various audiences.
I appreciate some of you might think I’m being a little precious, that I might have misinterpreted this as a perfectly innocent comment. Well, maybe so, if the person in question hadn’t followed it up with a number of other tweets leaving me with no doubt as to their thinking on the subject. I was judgemental and getting on ‘my high horse’ in suggesting that my efforts might have been as a result of my own efforts.
The tweet in question received about 250 responses with the large majority agreeing that you create your own luck via your work ethic and ability. It’s an interesting debate for sure so I thought I’d extend it to the WordPress community. Is there such a thing as luck when it comes to building a social media platform? Or do those who wish to promote their work need to knuckle down and avoid jealous barbs aimed at the comparative success of others?
Black Thoughts 
Maybe not luck, but doing the right thing at the right time really helps. But I agree with you, building your follower base takes time, work and effort…maybe a sprinkle of luck for good measure. 😉 but no, if you have a decent following then give yourself a path on the back because you worked to get that following. That is my two cents on the issue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ugh I hate that word. I have built up everything from scratch and so can anyone else. I’m with ya on that.
LikeLiked by 3 people
The only luck corresponding to your social media presence is MINE in finding you!!! You work very hard at not one but three jobs – your profession, writing your novels, and your blog! I for one stand amazed at your energy and your ability to put forth content worthy of my time and thought on a daily basis! I struggle with doing so once or twice a month! Thank you, Stephen, for enriching my days!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve had a blog since 2007. I recently crested 2 million all-time views. I write about such an eclectic mix of things that I’m sure it hurts my ability to retain readers. But I’ve managed to attract a loyal following.
I’ve had a few lucky breaks. Four of my posts were featured on WordPress.com’s old Freshly Pressed feature. Each time it brought a lot of new readers who stayed. A few times someone shared one of my posts on Reddit, which brought a deluge of pageviews and a bunch of new regular readers. I’ve also found over the last few years that Facebook Groups are often a great way to publicize the blog.
But for the most part, it’s been attracting one reader at a time.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Not luck! The commentor is jealous. Ignore him. Glad to hear you are angry… expressing anger helps one get less depressed!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad you turned to the WP community for some sensible comments… (I’m also glad I don’t use any other ‘social’ media if that’s the type and level of input!) It’s clearly nothing to do with luck. People follow you (or anyone else for that matter) if the content is relevant and interesting to that person. ‘End of’ (as I believe they often say on other platforms!) Be lucky… (as my dad used to say).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never believed in luck. I think it’s a cop out. A cheap way to not be held responsible. You work hard, in the end, it works for you. You go girl!!! woohooo thank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll go with the diplomatic answer, that it’s probably a little of both. Sometimes you put in the work but the algorithms don’t seem to favor you, and sometimes people post one or two things that for some reason go viral. I think a part of it is also being relatable. In your case, however, it seems obvious that you worked hard for it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
As the saying goes, you make your own luck! Great work on your success 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Trolls, those with little conscious, even less heart, and no understanding of the concept of working hard to reach goals and beyond. They lurk just out of sight until something comes along that twinges their bent thought processes and causes them to bark. Ignore them, they aren’t worth your time and energy. Silence will cause them to crawl back under their bridge and into the dark they inhabit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seems like a combination of having something worthwhile to say and hard work… neither are about luck. Although I will say, not all who have something worthwhile to say get heard the way they should and some people who have nothing of import to say get lots of attention, so, in the end, who knows? There might be a bit of luck involved… and the fact that many many people like shallow better than deep. For the deep, in which I include you, it is all about hard work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Someone much wiser than I once commented that luck is what happens when hard work meets preparation. Sure, there are the occasional fortuitous moments that visit each of us. But good fortune rarely drops into anyone’s lap without a whole lot of blood, sweat, and tears preceding it. Skyrocketing lotto ticket sales prove that we all WANT to find the quick, easy path to prosperity. But the hard truth is that anything worth attaining takes hard work… which you have done in abundance. Congratulations and continued success to you, Steven.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You have a great blog, and that makes a big difference too 🤗❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Before I read the outcome, my first thought was No, readership takes commitment and content. There is no luck involved. At least that has not been my experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would annoy me too! Funny thing about luck. The harder I work, the luckier I get. 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congratulations! You have a wonderful blog and you deserve it!
LikeLike
Congratulations .
LikeLike
It takes work and a lot of it to get a big following. I’ve gone up and down over the years. I find myself going, “why can’t I have that?” I know that its bad to compare. I’m working on learning to be thankful for what I do have.
LikeLike
Wow great post..!! Do check mine too😃
LikeLike
In some cases there can be a bit of luck involved, with “viral” posts and associated exposure. BUT, if those people do not engage with the community which sparks because of that, there is every chance it will be a short-lived experience.
Hard work, and sharing stories, that’s where meaningful connection is made. ✨ Thank you for encouraging more positive, honest discussion.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Hamish. You are entirely correct. Thank you for understanding 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person