This is why I followed you...

I decided to write a quick post about how I determine who I follow at WA with hopes that it will start some discussion, as I'm curious about why you choose who you follow as well. I'm wondering if I'm missing something. Initially I didn't think that much about it, but noticed that there were a lot of people following others and I sort of wondered why. So without further adieu, here's my top ten reasons for binging your follow button...

1. We have something in common. I have a lot of alter egos. I'm a wannabe bush pilot, a wannabe biker, a wannabe chef and a wannabe cowboy. I also like to river raft, snow board, wake board, mountain bike, road bike, hunt, fish, hike, and just about any other outdoor activity. I just went broke and I negotiated a severe trauma some years ago. My background is in real estate, banking, the stock market. I love my larger family... I love my son. I've been married three times, twice to that same woman. I'm a bit of a gear head. Chances are if I perceive you have a bent, interests or experiences that are close to one of my own, I hit your follow button.

2. I think I can contribute something meaningful to you. I've always enjoyed helping a little if I can. I especially enjoy helping the young ones out. It's rewarding to help shape the life of someone just starting out, even if it's just a little. A change in direction of just a few degrees can create a destination that is nowhere close to ones original destination if there is enough distance and time involved. As I browse through WA members, I look for younger people who I think might benefit from experience I've acquired over the years.

3. You're a high quality contributor on WA. I read your blog posts, responses and feedback. If I think your comments are weak, I'll probably pass you by. If you have a critical eye and your blog posts, comments and responses demonstrate a willingness to constructively criticize and sincerely help others... Bing, I just followed you.

4. You're a bit long in the tooth as a WA member. I don't know if this one stands on it's own, but it definitely has been a deciding factor when I'm on the fence. It's like when I started high school as a freshman. I made friends with a handful of seniors as they knew their way around the high school and how things worked. Definitely shortened my learning curve and saved me a little pain and suffering... it even lifted my social status a little. Just a little though.

5. You are different and interesting to me. I like people. All different kinds of them. If I find you interesting and different as a person, chances are I will hit your follow button.

6. I'm interested in what you are creating here at WA. I'm a foodie. I'll follow you and your food web site that's full of excellent recipes with pictures. I'm a health nut. I'll follow you and your web site that's dedicated to a healthy life style. I like wine. I'll follow you and your 90 point wines under $20 web site. Crowd funding fascinates me. I'll follow you and your 101 tips on crowd funding web site. Prophecy fascinates me even more, I'll follow you and your end times web site. You get the idea.

7. Your a newbie. On occasion I follow newbies just because they are newbies and when I was a newbie (still kind of am) I liked it when someone followed me.

8. You have a car instead of a head shot. Yes, I've followed like 10 people so far for no other reason than this.

9. You're a bit of a greenie. Yes, I think we should recycle, eat real food, compost, conserve, bike or walk instead of drive everywhere, grow a garden, live in a small house, etc., etc., etc. Bing... follow.

10. Because you are cute, smart, fun and funny. OK, I'm just being honest here. I'm a single guy, and in spite of the fact that I never want to have another serious relationship in my entire life, I just cant help hitting your follow button if you have a bit of a yummy factor. I know, it's shallow Hal-ish and has nothing to do with affiliate marketing, but I just cant help it. Is this bad?

So what about you?

...Rico