Graham Sanders 孫廣仁 / 孙广仁

Guess what?

On Mastodon, your follower/follows ratio doesn't matter. No one cares about your #clout. You don't need to build a #brand.

If you follow a bunch of people it shows that you are curious and want to hear ideas from diverse sources. Go crazy with the #follows and the #boosts. The more the better.

But feel free to #unfollow if things get overwhelming. And use #Lists to put your follows into more manageable cohorts to see what a limited group of people are posting.

Nov 13, 2022 at 5:45amWeb
Show threadGraham Sanders 孫廣仁 / 孙广仁Nov 14, 2022

What I’ve learned about Lists.

From web interface home…

CREATE LIST: Lists > Enter title

ADD TO LIST (1): Lists > List title > Settings > Edit > Enter follow handle (partial ok; hit Enter key) > Click (+) beside handle

OR

ADD TO LIST (2): Visit follow profile > Click (⋮) > Add or Remove from list

VIEW LIST POSTS: Lists > List title (you may have to wait for someone to post if it's a new list)

VIEW/REMOVE HANDLES ON LIST: Lists > List title > Settings > Edit > Click (x) to remove a handle

Show threadGraham Sanders 孫廣仁 / 孙广仁Nov 14, 2022

👆 in response to and using info learned from...

@TheferretFreya @chinleybrewer @MelissaJPeltier
@jfriday @Karensk8ergirl @KateCushing
@Sainteetpoete @11neilc1 @Uniflame
@EuropeanSon @fudgesiclesxd @Kojo62

Show threadFudgesicles Spinner™Nov 14, 2022

@grahamsanders

why am I on the list, how did I end up on the list, what did I... WHAT!?

Show threadAdam KotskoNov 13, 2022
@grahamsanders #Gotit
Show threadSueNov 13, 2022
@grahamsanders
One of the things I like about Mastodon there isn’t the frenzy to gather followers simply as numbers
Show threadAris TeonNov 13, 2022
@grahamsanders that's one of the things I live about Mastodon. Over on the corporate fowl site, you have a follow limit that depends on the ratio of your follows and followers, and it makes people self conscious about how many followers they have. Here, it just doesn't matter.
Show threadDJP (Darren John Pope)Nov 13, 2022
@grahamsanders 👍
Show threadMarkygoonerNov 13, 2022
@grahamsanders Sounds like very sound advice.
Show threadJosh @ 2TonWaffleNov 13, 2022
@grahamsanders many of us are having to retrain ourselves from the twitter way of thinking. In time we will learn the mastodon path and to be more mindful of others and to be better within the mastodon culture.
Show threadTara N. Gaston ⚖️🏳️‍🌈💻Nov 13, 2022
@grahamsanders @dancline I love this. I read a post a few days ago from someone who said they thought someone following more than X number of people was suspicious. Meanwhile I’m just thrilled to be able to interact with so many amazing (and some meh and a very few -_- ppl).
Show threadthe roamerNov 13, 2022

@grahamsanders

Important advice. On the other site, "the algorithm" encouraged the wrong habits. Time to unlearn these habits. Twitter migrants have to learn to stop counting.

Show threadKarin SorenbyNov 13, 2022
@grahamsanders this is an awesome community☺️And welcoming to all. To hear other people’s thoughts and experiences can only make you grow, I think. Now.. goodnight .. ✌️☮️
Show threadJames_PondNov 13, 2022
@grahamsanders I found in the last week, it does help to try and talk to as many people as possible, in order to explore the wider fed. I am so much more relaxed on here compared to the Other chamber. Thank you for welcoming us all.
Show threadJustRosyNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders Also, bookmarking is awesome! I bookmarked your post!
Show threadRaelynne79 (she/her) 🇪🇺🇬🇧🏳️‍🌈Nov 14, 2022
@JustRosy @grahamsanders Oh! Is that possible in the app? I was clicking all the buttons and couldn't find a way.
Show threadGrasshopper40Nov 14, 2022

@grahamsanders

That lack of worrying about clout has been the thing I’ve loved most about Mastodon so far.

Show threadEpicBear Nov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders One of the features I wanted to get away from on Twitter is the platforming of the same large accounts. As far as I'm aware on Mastodon, there isn't a "Show Top Tweets" feature. Which is good.
Show threadKarenNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders how do you even start the list process??
Show threadRon Chusid Nov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders
Plus don't have problems like on Twitter where they won't let you follow more people if the ratio doesn't meet their requirements.
Show threadKate CushingNov 14, 2022
@rchusid @grahamsanders which is so frustrating- I’ve not been able to follow anyone new for weeks on Twitter.
Show threadRon Chusid Nov 14, 2022

@KateCushing
At times I have had to go through my following list and remove people so I could add others.

One way to handle this is to put some types of accounts, such as news, in lists and then unfollow.
@grahamsanders

Show threadVeticia Misumena 🕷️🌺Nov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders
I never cared about making lists on the other place, so I didn't know what it could be used for or why. But once you mentioned grouping people of similar interests together it immediately clicked. Thanks for the #FediTip.
Show threadMick GarrattNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders so #fbpe is meaningless?
Show threadNCNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders how do lists work please - how do you set them up and what do they allow you to do? Sorry but new here and currently relatively clueless
Show threadKate CushingNov 14, 2022
@11neilc1 @grahamsanders I’m learning too- lists sound a good idea.
Show threadKate CushingNov 14, 2022
@11neilc1 @grahamsanders So i have created a list and named it- but how do i add people to this list? I'm trying to set up initially a #LongCovid list. Thanks.
Show threadNCNov 14, 2022
@KateCushing i have just set one up and I think all you do is go to the profile of someone you want to add to a list, click on the three dots on their profile and one of the drop down options is something like “add to a list” then you “+” by the side of the relevant list - that’s what I have done anyway. I am assuming the function of a list is so you can just look at what people in the list have posted - some posts from them might not be about the particular topic you are interested in though
Show threadKate CushingNov 14, 2022
@11neilc1 Thanks, that's helpful - yes- lists may not be all about the list topic- so perhaps not that helpful? I know that just from my account- I might post of medicine, owls, bees, cats, politics, Northumberland, Long Covid or....
Show threadNCNov 14, 2022
@KateCushing being a Liverpool fan I would find it useful on matchdays having such a list with people I know are liverpool fans as a lot of what they might post those days would probably be about Liverpool so I could see the value for that
Show threadAida NearyNov 14, 2022
@11neilc1 If you are using the web version, 1) set up advanced view 2) go to lists and create them. 3) when you come across a post you like, go to the person profile click on the three dots and add them to whichever list you think they fit. Alternatively, click the 3 dots and create the list then and there. I'm also a #newbie, but I think that's how it works. Worked for me. Also I'm no longer using the app. The #WebApp is better.
Show threadFreya the FerretNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders All of this!! I've only been here a few days but had started to realise, & act on, all of the above. 😀
It's a totally different approach & mindset involved. Less frenetic. More reflective.
Show threadJamie BarrafordNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders I still have a Twitter anxiety when I see my follower to follow ratio. That ends now.
Show threadChris GuitonNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders Sounds like good advice!
Show threadStephannie AnnNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders I absolutely love this! I was just writing on my page?toot? Not sure what it's called, still learning 😂 that I didn't know what direction to take this, and that I've decided to make it like a mini diary because we have so much space to write! I love the Mastodon space because everyone seems so Inviting, and are genuinely interested and open to what each other has to say. If you don't understand, they teach and don't be little or trash talk. Much better for my mental health!💗🦋
Show thread72Degrees aka Pete FisherNov 14, 2022

@grahamsanders

Lists are great, but what would be even greater would be the ability to limit new post visibility to a list (not all followers) with just one click (cf. Google+ circles - remember those?)
I know you can mention all the members, but that seems more like a DM and cumbersome. Am I missing a way to do that?

FB private group behaviour, Which presumably Friendica is better suited to in the Fediverse?

Show threadGraham Sanders 孫廣仁 / 孙广仁Nov 14, 2022
@72Degrees Agreed! That would be a useful feature to add to the post visibility options.
Show threadTed MaulNov 14, 2022

@grahamsanders another protip: I follow a lovely chap and I'm interested in his content, however he boosts an extraordinary amount of posts which becomes a bit overwhelming on my timeline.

On Mastodon, you can mute boosts from a specific user, without muting them or their own content. It's great!

Show threadAlisonNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders I always count it as a point against someone if they have tens of thousands of twitter followers but are following hundreds or even tens of people.
Show threadMohaNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders indeed, I even went further and disabled follow/follower, favorite, and boost count for myself to not get distracted and focus on usability of the content for myself.
Show threadUniflameNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders how do you add people to your lists?
Show threadOctavia con AmoreNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders Keeping accounts that tend to be sources of important info that may severely affect my mental if I see them every day on separate lists is so important.
Show threadFudgesicles Spinner™Nov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders I don't even know there's list system. Last time I saw something similar is from newTumbl. 
Show threadCaptain Le vinceNov 14, 2022

@grahamsanders

To be fair, Twitter was getting too big and annoying to use. Nice to switch platform every now and then.

Show threadAdam Curry  Nov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders Salient point. I never hear bragging about fedi follower count.
Show threadSnack Capt  Nov 14, 2022
@adam @grahamsanders

Most "followers" tabs are a graveyard. Lets be honest most users/instances don't stick around
Show threadCrab Computer/SOB_IINov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders One thing that I don't like is that you have to follow someone in order to be able to have them in your list. So any content that you periodically want to check must also appear in your home timeline
Show threadGraham Sanders 孫廣仁 / 孙广仁Nov 15, 2022
@SOB2
If you follow, put them in a list, then unfollow, do they disappear from the list? If not, that may be one way to do it.
Show threadRichie HollandNov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders clout does count and I don't have an issue about it.
Show threadAndi Fascist ✅️Nov 14, 2022
@grahamsanders I'm just glad people like my content enough to follow me here from other places 🦄
Show threadMasterDonnNov 15, 2022
@grahamsanders
How would that fit in with celebs like Stephen Fry who have migrated over?
Show threadAmbigram ArtNov 15, 2022
@grahamsanders deserves a boost and a follow that!
Show threadwilliam.maggosNov 15, 2022

@grahamsanders

I don't understand the obsession with saying your followers on here don't matter. Some people care, some don't. There's no reason you can't build crazy follower numbers here. The difference here is you will have earned them without algos or ads or bots. I don't want the people who care about that stuff not to come here because they think they can't have huge numbers here. They can and I want them here, because they will draw more people here. I want the birdsite to die.

Show threadGraham Sanders 孫廣仁 / 孙广仁Nov 15, 2022

@wjmaggos

All fair points! I wasn't suggesting that people should eschew followers entirely, just not to get anxious over the numbers, particularly whether you have more followers than follows (which always seemed like some sort of insecure flex on other platforms). Of course, this whole enterprise works better if people have healthy numbers of both.

Show thread@RevJohnSmallwoodNov 15, 2022
@grahamsanders how do I follow on this site? #change
Show threadmarkhillNov 16, 2022
@grahamsanders this is great advice Graham thank you and sounds very refreshing
Show threadNosaj  Nov 16, 2022

@grahamsanders

I've found following hashtags to be generally more rewarding than following people. The thing about following people is that you have to be sure you want to see everything they post, which may not necessarily be true for strangers.

A few hashtags of your favourite interests will create a feed with discussions from people of many different instances, allowing you to cast a wider viewing net that just your local feed.

Of course that may just be me and my antisocial "not a people person" personality, hahaha.

Show threadGraham Sanders 孫廣仁 / 孙广仁Nov 16, 2022
@nosaj True! When I first signed up to Mastodon, my server didn't have the follow hashtags feature, but now it does. I imagine I will be using a judicious combination of both people and hashtag follows. I like people follows precisely because you don't know what topic they might choose to post on, and that often jolts me into seeing things differently.