In this day of immediate feedback and validation anybody putting ‘content’ out there can often feel that they are shouting into the abyss.

It is easy to assume that nobody is reading/watching what they do because they haven’t commented/liked it visibly.

Isn’t this like previously putting out a magazine that people sign up to and deciding on the value of the articles based on how many people wrote in to congratulate the publication on how much they like it?

It’s reasonable to assume that if you are growing a community around a cause or theme that people joining and staying demonstrates to at least some degree that they have interest in what you are doing.

I experienced this on Friday with attending a conference linked to my day job where some colleagues who have joined the HYPERFOCUSED! Facebook group saying that they were finding it useful though they don’t tend to post in the group. It was a massive lift as it was a great reminder that not visibly showing support doesn’t mean that there is no interest in what you’re doing.

Taking it back to yourself, how many times do you scan through your social media feeds and find something interesting/funny etc but you don’t press a button to like it or comment on it? That’s invisible to the creator of that content unless their analytics pick up that you visited. So it’s easy to assume that nobody is interested.

This is more the case when the creators of the content have a sense of self that can be challenged and sensitivity to rejection/criticism and so putting your work/thoughts out there can feel like a trial.

I do check the visitors to my website several times a day but then the dopamine hits of checking stats that can change regularly gives some reward but it can also feel disappointing.

So if you’re creating content for public consumption I would advise the following:

1. Put content out that satisfies you and gives you something where that is catharsis, peace, deepens your understanding of a topic etc – don’t rely on external validation. Do it for you, if others like it then great!
2. Don’t keep refreshing your analytics page to see if more people have visited or liked your stuff. It’s a lift when it moves up but could really affect your mood, remember you are deliberately taking steps that may darken your day (and for others).
3. Ask people you know on the list for feedback or suggestions on what you’ve put out there. Members of a group are more likely to give you that privately rather than publicly in a Facebook group.
4. Direct feedback is so much more meaningful than a thumbs up emoji.
5. A lack of audience engagement doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of interest. It is important though to get some external validation to let you know that you’re not wasting your time.
6. You create this stuff out of nowhere. As my son told me when I said about setting up a website/peer support community, if it helps even one person it’s already been worthwhile!