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The value of forum upvotes

Roadie June 11th, 2015

[Note: Originally posted in Listeners Only forums, but moved to general forum because this is relevant for all!]

There is something that I've notice about the forums while just observing and not actively participating.

If you're interested in supporting people, truly interested in supporting people, I ask you to try this one thing after reading this post. Go to one support forum thread and read someone's story. You don't need to reply but just read.

I think we can all recall times in our lives when we have been hurt, have been spurned, or have felt alone. Have been lost in our negative thoughts, seeking affirmation from others whether it be positive or whether it be negative.

Do you remember those times?

When I read the support forums, I see hundreds of posts made every day by members. And I see hundreds of threads created by those same members.

What are they after when they post?

Are they after a panacea, a magic bullet to cure all of their ills?

Can you think of a time when you've been there?

When you feel as though you're alone, hiding in the dark. Terrified from the
lack of light, all you are after is one spark to inspire. One spark to remind you that you are important. One spark to acknowledge that you're still worthy of someone's time and attention.

So when I see post after post after post unacknowledged, it makes me wonder. If I was them and I had shown the courage to spill my soul out onto the page for others and nobody had acknowledged that it had even been seen. How would I feel?

As a listener community, we give appreciation readily and openly to one another. Community shout outs to listeners are posted every day. Anonymous appreciation messages are sent daily, again to fellow listeners. Acknowledgement after acknowledgement of one another which is so kind and open however why can this not be shared with our members?

Let me just say this.

A man beaten down by society sits on the side of the road, soul destroyed. Watching person after person look away quickly to avoid his gaze. It makes you feel like less of a human being. A smile, an acknowledgement is worth more to that man than all of the gold that has been mined from this earth.

In the support forums, that acknowledgement is easy. It's called an upvote. A simple click of an upvote to show that someone has taken the time and care to read what they have posted.

Please, spend 30 seconds and make a difference to a member's life today because a forum upvote can be all that it takes.

171
Arcie April 28th, 2016

I love this post!!! Upvotes definitely are important!!

5 replies
Endearingfriend May 26th, 2016

@ItsE I agree please upvote me :(

3 replies
May 26th, 2016

@Endearingfriend Upvoted wink

1 reply
Endearingfriend May 26th, 2016

@skyisblue you too haha ;)

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MelodyClementi July 21st, 2016

@Endearingfriend I can feel you. Relate. :p Upvoted! :)

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SarahLove May 27th, 2016

@ItsE YEA THEY ARE UPVOTE ME TOO. XD

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HiEveryone1234 April 29th, 2016

@Roadie

Dude, I'm crying. SO TRUE (this place keeps bringing tears to my eyes! surpriselaughsurpriselaughsurprise

1 reply
Roadie OP April 30th, 2016

@HiEveryone1234

It's all good my friend :)

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Carriebradshaw May 25th, 2016

:)

1 reply
SarahLove September 10th, 2016

@Carriebradshaw Cute. xD

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EyeRain56 May 30th, 2016

Thank you for saying that!

EyeRain56 June 3rd, 2016

Hey Guys, i need more forum upvotes for the next certificate, help me out?

3 replies
Sunshower14 June 8th, 2016

@EyeRain56 Hey, I struggle with this as well lol!

1 reply
SarahLove September 10th, 2016

@Sunshower14 Yup Yup.

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MelodyClementi July 21st, 2016

@EyeRain56 I need help on this too. Need to get up to Trainee Level to get the certificate. Aside from that, Forum upvotes are really important. This helps out people who makes effort on posting making them feel appreciated. Aside from that, those who want to help would be able to give out their helping hands by just tapping the upvote icon.

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mnssth June 4th, 2016

Hello! I'm new to this forum, and I'm just starting to get a hang of what upvotes are. Could you all help me out too?

1 reply
Roadie OP June 15th, 2016

Hi @mnssth (and others)

Upvotes are what you give if you find a post that you feel that you agree with, support, or uplifting. Back when I wrote this, my key intention was to let members know that you've heard their story even if you didn't feel confident enough to respond. Sometimes it just helps to know someone is there.

If you're trying to get upvotes from a certification then you need to concentrate on writing supportive posts. The upvotes come in time and the more supportively you post, the more upvotes you will get. The important thing from my experience - and I'm most of the way to 10,000 upvotes now - is that you post with the right intention.

If you post with the right motivations then you'll do well. If you post purely to get the certification, you're less likely to be successful in receiving upvotes.

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OlgaParis June 6th, 2016

@Roadie, thank you for your post. It is very uplifting heart

niceSpace89 June 7th, 2016

I really like the positivity of this post! Keep up the good work everyone!!

Sunshower14 June 8th, 2016

I like the awareness this post is bringing! :)

thisismeSAMIE June 15th, 2016

i learned alt from this post