Relationships, it’s all about me, right?

I walk into my local eatery and start demanding that people talk to me. I am the most important person in here, amirite!
But everyone just looks at me and turn away.
I begin to realise, after I’ve bought myself a drink and no one else….no one is paying me any attention.
This is a fictitious encounter of course, I’d never consider doing something like that, my shyness would kill me, but is a scenario many undertake via social media.

I spend a lot of my time involved in the gaming community, one community in particular.
I’ve been there a year, I’ve built up a fantastic bunch of followers and friends and it’s been my happy place.
Except, when I encounter people like the guy above.
The platforms we inhabit are filled with billions of people wanting attention.
But most get it wrong.

Above is a snapshot of the comments a game company receive on most of their Instagram posts.
Hundreds of people vying for attention.
Most of these people are looking to get the attention of the company, for them to notice them, to help them fix a problem, to repost their images, to shout them out.
To give perspective, compared to many other companies, these guys are incredibly responsive to their fans.
They see what’s going on in the community, they provide games with free DLCs, they repost the photography that’s been created within their game and show love by pulling members into their livestreams.
Yet, most of the time they’re being howled at by people demanding their attention.
If you venture onto social media and shout about it not being fair that no one is noticing you — what do you think is going to happen?
I remember when I was young, I shouted to get my mum’s attention, all the time.
She‘d respond, of course, she had no choice - but it wasn’t quality attention, that sustainable, ‘you’re awesomely patient dear, let me give you a hug’ attention that would set me in good stead for my future endeavours.
And this is the attention that’ll set you in good stead for your social media platforms.
Many sit behind the comfort of their keyboards barking orders, making demands, talking about themselves.
Instead — stop.
Listen.
Give.
Giving without the need to take back shows your network that you act with integrity, you care and this action will attract people to you.
It’s a no brainer for all relationships, online and off.
No one owes you a thing.
Stop asking for it, start earning it.
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