How to get votes and comments?

[Boothdom]

Hello all.

This has probably been discussed many times before, and if so I apologise, please direct me to the specific post, but I’m a bit baffled by how to get votes and comments on stuff I post. ???

It all starts o.k. when the miniature is new. The votes trickle in and the odd comment turns up on the better stuff. But then it all seems to go dead with no change for days. Is that it? Do you then have to wait for the random selection when you open the site? Or is there something I\'m missing?

I do post links to my stuff on other sites and that works for a bit but then the inevitable happens..............

I did once get a mini on the \"Top last 7 days\" and then the votes hammered in, which was nice but, I’m sure you\'ll agree, it\'s tough to get in there regularly.

I mainly ask because I’ve got a mini on now that is frustratingly stuck at 41 votes. If it gets to 50 it\'ll raise my average a bit but it that seems a long way off as its not moved for a week or so.

Thanks for any tips or hints in advance.

Cheers,

Dom

 

[Klute]

Yeh once its up to 30 votes it takes an eternity.
I find that posting wip threads help along with maintaining a presence on the forums.Its still great to get comments from people you dont know.

How about this though,
We all decide to place more comments while we are browsing,even one per session per user would make a difference.
That way the low comment problem should take care of itself.

 

[Boothdom]

I try and do that on every visit, usually randomly, but if poeple reply to my post etc. i always go to their gallery.

I find it really good to look at peoples work, especially if you\'ve just had a conversation with them.

And with that i\'m off to Klutes gallery!

Back in a minute!!!

Cheers,

Dom

 

[DarkStar]

The main issue with comments I find is that they mostly go unresponded to. I don\'t know if this is due to the fact that the minis\' original poster is not active anymore or what, but it does dissuaded one from commenting when you\'re unsure of whether anyone will read it!

I try to comment on the new posts, at least I know the user is still active.

Also, it does take forever for a mini to cycle 50 votes.

Feel very proud of yourself IMHO that you got into the top last 7. That is quite an achievement in it\'s own regard. Well done.

 

[Klute]

Heres the biggest tip.
Never EVER ask for votes or comments in the shoutbox.
And you\'re going through my gallery are you,I went through yours when I spotted that high elf archmage,which got a rare 10 from me.

 

[finn17]

The big problem....

40,000+ images....

A floating/transient voting base of I would guess 500..

Regular commenters....50 or less...

You do the math...

Everyone needs to vote more...that eliminates the damage snipers can do...

Comments are good, but overated IMO. NOT because I have to moderate them all...but why comment on a mini whose account holder is inactive? Why comment on a mini whos author doesn\'t reciprocate...???

Organise yourselves in the forums and swap comments...vote on everything, but be selective about comments...make every one count..

 

[Boothdom]

Comments are good, but overated IMO. NOT because I have to moderate them all...but why comment on a mini whose account holder is inactive?

I see what you mean, but it is really great when you check your e-mail and have that joyous \".....has left a comment!\"
You can circumvent the problem of posting on inactive accounts by only leaving comment on people you find here on the forums etc.

Never EVER ask for votes or comments in the shoutbox.

Why is that? Does it attract snipers?

Anyway, thanks for the advice people.

Dom

 

[Klute]

@Finn Yes make them count.It annoys me when there are loads of comments just arse licking.Especially the \"I am going to throw away my brushes\" comments.
Its also very rare for me not to reply with a thanks to a comment.Or an explanation.It doesnt take long.Its small things like that that seem to me have started to decline on cmon,the personal touch.
Finn, there should be something done about inactive users.Problem is what.Another thing on the same lines is the top ten minis.Lets say the best mini 2002 gets an average 9.5.The same mini now would probably be lucky to score average 8.5.
How about top ten this year/quarter/month?
Dom......yes I believe it does attract snipers as does complaining about it so be quiet.
Only leaving comments to links in the forums would work like you say but there would be more users losing out becuase of this.It would get too elitist leading to an us and them situiation,which some of us are already being accused of.Obviousely with more users you will get inner groups forming but I am sure we can all do our bit to help stop it from degrading the site.

 

[Trevor]

Nice solid mini, I voted, but no comment as I can\'t really see anyway of improving it. Like the bull rushes.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Finn17:

Comments are good, but overated IMO.

As someone who has not posted any pictures, what is your justification in saying that?

I try to post comments which help people and to also point out my admiration for others work.
During the last week I have watched the first pages as they are approved and voted on each one and commented where I feel I can add something to assist the painter or to notify then of the things I find admirable.

Last time I checked there were more than half the images on this site with comments. If even half of those comments were fanboy mode (Which I admit I can be as guilty of as anyone else!) that is still better than no comment.

CMON gets criticised for \'not being helpful\' and \'elitist\' and in my personal view comments like Finn\'s reinforce that stereotype.
There are a great many painters on this site, some of whom I try to assist, and some for who\'s assistance I am always grateful. If my painting can improve over the last couple of years then I do not see why I should hold back others from finding the same satisfaction I have gained.

I do not expect to get a response back from anyone who\'s picture I comment on, but those I do get back are usually pleased to receive any feedback or assistance.

 

[Boothdom]

It annoys me when there are loads of comments just arse licking. Especially the \"I am going to throw away my brushes\" comments.

If even half of those comments were fanboy mode (Which I admit I can be as guilty of as anyone else!) that is still better than no comment.

??? ??? ???

I\'m not sure about this? I rarely get that many comments on my stuff, so any I get I’m happy with, be it constructive comments or praise. I don\'t think anyone would write anything that isn\'t their view. If some one said \" I\'m going to throw away my brushes\" to me I\'d be incredibly happy! I\'d probably go and have a look at their gallery and drop a few comments.

I\'m sure, as DR said, I have also been guilty of being a fanboy, but my response is purely my opinion! If I say \"WOW, fantastic mini!\" I meant in!

The best thing about this site is everyone can post. My work can be next to the pictures of an painter I really respect. And if people feel that way about my stuff (I can dream!!!!) that’s great.

This has raised another point for me though

Do you all vote with the score hidden? I have it turned off as I can\'t be subjective if there is a stinking great 8.5 looking at me. ???

I\'d be interested to know what you think?

Cheers,

Dom

 

[Fizl]

I do vote with the scores hidden. I find it is very easy to be swayed by the vote shown. I also try to make up my mind before I look at the comments.

Shaz

 

[CtanSupportGroup]

I reply to all comments I get when it\'s appropriate- if people ask questions then I will reply.

I would also like more comments and I am glad when people take the time out to do that.

I try to leave a comment, sometimes, but most often do not...

 

[johnboyjjb]

Originally posted by Fizl
I do vote with the scores hidden. I find it is very easy to be swayed by the vote shown. I also try to make up my mind before I look at the comments.

Shaz

This is the only way to do it. Everything else I tried just isn\'t fair. I always cheat. I try to comment on 5 out of 10 minis or when someone asks. Also, be aware that there are a lot of people who consistently post pictures but never show up in the forums. If you want your comment to count, just look as the picture post date.

 

[finn17]

Easy...

Originally posted by Dragonsreach
As someone who has not posted any pictures, what is your justification in saying that?

My justification is that I plough through what now amounts to 150 to 200 comments a day. Yes, some of them are helpful but there are a large number that are just a waste of time. Very few indeed could be considered \'helpful\'.
I didn\'t say comments are bad, quite the opposite, I just believe that their importance is secondary to that of voting.

 

[Klute]

I just believe that their importance is secondary to that of voting.

Got to disagree on this one Steve.
Comments are more important to me than the score a mini gets.To me its what bonds the us together as a community,along with the forums of course.
This may be down to the fact that comments I get are usually scored higher than the average for the mini.
I used to strive to get higher scores and while it still pleases me I think there is too much going on with voting that it doesnt bother me any more.
I do agree that a lot of them seem a waste of time.

 

[Boothdom]

I do agree that a lot of them seem a waste of time.

What type of comments are a waste of time?

Even if someone says \"BRILLIANT!!!!\" They have still gone to the effort of showing you that they appreciate your model.

It\'s one thing to give a model a mark, but it higher praise in my opinion if they give you the same mark with a comment. They have taken more effort.

I\'d be interested to see what your ideal comment is?

Say you did the perfect model. Would you want no comments as there would be nothing but praise and no constructive criticism


Cheers,

Dom

 

[Ritual]

A positive comment is always appreciated, even if it might not be all that helpful. If someone takes his or her time to write \"Good work! I like how you did that...\" it\'s a lot more fun than watching your score rise with 0.1 or something. Of course, criticism is also good to recieve (though not that ego-boosting :]) since that can help me do things better. The only comments I find a waste of time are rude or plain stupid ones.

 

[yrret]

Commenting and conversation

First, I can\'t help but make a math related comment...

about 60 new minis per day, each requiring 50 votes, and being salted heavier until they get there, means every day there aren\'t WAAAAY more than 3,000 votes, is a backslide day.
Add to that the fact that people have a tendency to SKIP crappy minis, they linger in the salt pool longer hogging up views...

Being active in some forum community somewhere will get you a lot of comments and votes.

If you are really interested in feedback, try the GoldenToadstool. http://paintingclinic.com/goldentoadstool/gt.htm
They have a very high comment rate, from usually great painters.

Last but not least, I think the comments are the MOST important part. If someone says \"Awesome!\" and leaves me an 8 I feel great. Much appreciated.

I just wish I could vote and comment on batches at a time. And I wish people that had say 10 comments would get white cloaked and could comment without someone having to mod em.

I wish when I was browsing someones gallery, I could vote, and go THAT PERSONS NEXT PHOTO, instead of a random photo.

But this isn\'t a feedback thread, so never mind. :innocent:

 

[ipaintminis]

my problem is being like 10 or 20 votes away from 50 votes on 5 minis, and then you know what happens....ranking! so ive been dying cause its taking forever! forever ever!

i dont know what fan boy mode does, or if its annoying, i normally get the \"i like it, but...\" comments, and i jump up and down on that cause they said they like it! lol