I see it all the time on social media: somebody posts something they want to get eyes on, so they tag people they know, or admire, or who they think needs to see the message/article/item. I see you and I know what you are doing. You are trying to generate conversation. I can respect that. I myself would love to see more engagement on my posts. I’ve watched these posts to see if tagging madly actually works. Sometimes, someone you’ve tagged will take the bait and add a like or a brief comment. Other times…crickets.
Here’s the thing: engagement is voluntary. You can engage people in conversation when they are genuinely interested in what you have to say, when what you are selling has value to them. You cannot force people to be interested in something that is not relevant to their life/work/thinking. You are not going to change someone’s belief system because you tag them. To me, that’s like a parent forcing you to hug an aunt you don’t know but you are supposed to love just because she’s in the room.
I agree with you on most of this, except if it is not for commercial gain, but for finding common ground and connection in your friends?
I tag people because I do think the person I am tagging would find it interesting, relevant, be curious, or start a conversation. Doesn’t have to be online. Just at all.
I use social media to be social, I literally cannot gain financial or business remuneration through social media. I use it to share what I am doing with others, the same way I would if we were a commUnity BBQ or picnic or social in person gathering, which are not existent anymore, and wish that they would include me in their thoughts as well.
To me, its like standing on the playground outside of the circle of people who I used to be part of and tapping a couple on the shoulder to say, “hey want to play with me again? Remember when we used to be friends? “
I don’t disagree with you. I am speaking of tagging people when it’s not relevant to do so. I am happy when someone tags me for content that think might be useful for me.