The Art and Business of Online Writing: How to Beat the Game of Capturing and Keeping Attention

by Nicolas Cole

This growth tactic can be very tedious, but it works extremely well. Engagement Hacking is where you engage with the audiences of other writers, introducing them to your own writing. The first step is to make a list of other writers within your chosen category. If you write about life lessons, go look for other popular writers who also write about life lessons. If you write mystery stories, go find other writers who write mystery stories. Once you have a list of ten or fifteen writers (ideally with audiences similar and slightly larger than your own), go to each of their profiles and start commenting on recent content they’ve published—or, even better, respond to someone else’s comment on their content. For example, if one writer’s most recent post was on life lessons you should learn before you turn 30 years old, and someone commented, “I would add a few more to this list,” respond back to them and piggy-back on their list to add a few more suggestions of your own. The whole idea here is to get your name in front of the same people who are actively looking for the type of content you write. When that audience member sees you responded to their comment, they’re going to read it. When they read it, and if it’s something more thoughtful than just, “Nice one!” they’re going to go to your profile. And when they go to your profile and see that you actively write about similar material as the writer they already love and follow, there’s a good chance they’ll start following you ...