HubPages: Hop Some Hubs and Release Your Inner Critic
67“Did you hear me? Snap out of it, Girl!”
Slap, slap!
As a new Hubber (and I will use the term, new, as long as I can get away with it), I am done with the drama. I am vowing never to piss and moan about the lack of quality in the Hubs I’ve been reading on HubPages.
Well, you know what they say: If you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
Now, I am Hub Hopping on a daily basis. Why am I doing this? Let’s just say I don’t do anything that I don’t want to do. You might say I am giving back to the organization who allows me to publish my work, design my HubPages, draw a following, and give and get feedback. They also provide how-to’s and tutorials to help with the writing and publishing.
I’m not an expert on Hub Hopping, but I am disciplined Hub Hopper. I read Hubs. I leave comments. Criticism can be good or bad. If I find Hubs that are offensive or fall in the list of descriptions provided by HubPages, I don’t hesitate to put my two cents in.
Maybe, if you watched me work, you would disagree with my opinion. I could seem a little harsh to you as I make my decisions. But I did earn my little prize on my profile. It looks like two pieces of garlic cloves on a badge, but they are actually symbols showing me that I do help out.
Hob Hopping is strictly done on a volunteer basis. You know what they say about opinions. Although I am not clear on how the system works, I am proud to say I am doing my part. At the same time, I can get a preview of the Hubs which are going to be published.
There are lots of Hubs out there, and I can honestly say that by Hub Hopping, I’ve found some memorable gems. I’ve left some glowing comments. Voted up and hit those comments provided.
On the flip side, I’ve voted down and given my reasons why I found a Hub less than outstanding. Some of the things which get my attention are the highly personal subjects which actually belong in a blog. The more inexperienced Hubbers will use a series of photographs and very little copy. I also wince when I read an “Enjoy!” “Bon Appetite!,” “Don’t forget to read my other work and comments!,” or any over-used, common filler term which only reveals the writer as a rank amateur. Maybe that’s just me and my writing experience. But I can guarantee you that when you tell me to “Enjoy!” at the end of your piece; you are simply telling me that you are insecure about your writing.
When it comes to massive doses of spelling, punctuation and grammar errors, you’ve lost me and turned me off as a reader. When you take me up and down the “scenic route” or babble endlessly about a subject, I’m booking you.
Interested in Hopping Some Hubs? When you check out your Hub earnings and scores, find the green frog logo at the upper left of the page which is simply labeled, “Help us out, Hop some hubs.”
Trust me. This process is so painless. Plus, when you’re checking your earnings and scores, you are reminded to Hop Some Hubs, anyway. How easy can that be?
Besides, I know you’re always checking on how much you’re Hubs are earning.
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Hello, FloraBreenRobison. Thank you for your comments. Like everything else I do in life, I am flying by the seat of my pants when it comes to HubPages. Yes, very good point. If I do come across something I don't understand or the author jumps right into the subject and doesn't explain what he or she is talking about, what's a girl to do? But I don't dwell on it. Plenty of Hubbers in the sea . . .
Hi Arlene...I also enjoy hub-hopping when time permits. I don't critique a fellow hubbers hub unless the fellow hubber requests a critiquer. Like Flora if I don't "get" the hub I just move on. I've never had to flag a hub....why would a hub need to be flagged? All writers are unique and have their own voice....who am I to judge their opinion. Keep on hub-hoppin' and ENJOY! :)))
Hey, Sunshine. I will critique a fellow Hubber when I need to, and when they want to critique my work, they have my blessings. Good or bad, I won't hit that "Deny" button when someone wants to comment on my work. I find that silly to have a Deny button at all because in the real world of publishing, people are going to tell you what they feel about your work, anyway. And some of it ain't gonna be pretty. I will approve anything anyone says concerning my work because criticism comes good or bad. I don't take criticism personal. I mean, I won't crumble. The world of writing and publishing is a cruel world, and everyone is entitled to their opinion. When it comes to hideous writing containing massive doses of errors, I don't care for repeat offenders on HubPages. If you don't call the writer on what they're doing wrong, they're going to repeat it. If they constantly put out glibberish, it's taking up space and most people won't read it. I would rather have that space going to a writer who deserves it. Not just anyone can write. I can bore you with my credentials, but when it comes to the writing, I won't back down and not say anything when someone has no desire to put out some decent copy. People get careless all the time, but what they don't realize is that once you put garbage online, it follows you forever. A lot of writers won't critique other writers. That's fine. But my POV is different because of my writing background. Writing is much more to me than writing something, pushing a button and seeing my work in print. So as a guide for critiques, I use the box of descriptions provided by Hubpages if a Hub gets on my every last nerve. And, I'll leave comments stating why. Some Hubs I will bypass because I don't feel anything for them at all. They're in some gray area.
A lot of people are super concerned about their author score - I can promise you that if you hop lots of hubs every day, and comment, vote, and flag them when needed. . .it will definitely raise your author score.
I don't do it as often as I'd like or should - but good stuff should definitely get commented and complimented, and stuff that looks like crap from a software spinning keyword/text machine should always be flagged as the garbage that it is.
I definitely hit the "hop" button on to the next one far more often than I vote up or down or flag.
Hi, Wesman! Thank you for your comments and explaining how you Hub Hop. I've found that I can do at least three--even if I'm busy. Retiree type of busy. Looking forward to reading more of your work. I hope you haven't been giving your gray hairs any pain. Thanks, again!
I enjoy hopping hubs because sometimes I find some real gems. Like you, I flag a few. This always makes me feel incredibly guilty though. I hate discouraging people, but I don't think they should just be let go either.
SHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DON'T TELL PEOPLE ABOUT MY THREE OFF COLOR HAIRS!
Hiya! I haven't come across any of those hubs that you are referring to Arlene. I leave the dirty work to hub employees but I do offer advice on how to enhance a hub. Wesman offered me advice on a hub, I appreciated it :)
I hope everyone is having a magnificent monday ... if I didn't get so easily distracted I would get more accomplished. Have a great one :)
Barbara Kay, thank you for your comments! Believe me! I wouldn't feel guilty when flagging work which deserves it. I'm sure, when I put in my 2 cents, it may or may not be taken seriously. Hahahaha. I was impressed when one of my Hubs got kicked back to me because it was considered a duplicate. I appreciate that because I was able to handle it. But there are repeat offenders on HubPages. They don't care what they put out into the online world because they keep doing it. I've got a great memory (except for finding my keys and wallet), so when I come across these repeaters, I know who they are.
Hi, Sunshine. We did agree a long time ago that WESMAN is a handsome man who could also fix our air conditioning units at a huge discount.
Yes Arlene we did agree that Wesman is da man!! :)
Sunshine: I flag a hub if it is overly promotional, too short (under 300 but not poetry or video gallery), has twitter type spelling, using hate speech etc. I actually read one last night with "b" for be and "u" for you. I don't flag because I thought that the author could have developed the article more fully.
Sunshine: Isn't he? What a guy! I'm glad he popped in.
Flora: Thanks for your comments! I am glad you are explaining your views on the Hub Hopping because I am open to suggestions on how I can do this right. Or improve what I'm doing. I'm all for that. Even if I only had time for half a dozen reads, I'll do it. I will flag a piece which is way too short. Over the weekend, I've run across horrible Hubs by real estate agents and attorneys trying to plug their businesses. But when I do read Hubs, I'm looking for subjects to cover topics which will interest most readers. Not just a handful. I love running into creative articles which are well-written and attractive in terms of design and illustrations. Can't have enough of those!
FLATTERED AND LOVES IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Psssssst! Hey, Sunshine! Now that our flattery worked on Wesman, let's try it on the other handsome guys in Texas who are on HubPages. Never know when we'll be needing some air conditioning work done or some HubPages tips! They say all the beautiful women in the beauty pageants come from Texas. What????? Who care about women? I won't even work a woman's joint! Where's the beef? The beef, I say!!!
LOL Arlene! Why stop in Texas? Let's go nationwide! East Coast to West Coast....bring it! :)
I GOTS TEH BEEFS I TELL YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(DAMN I LOVE THIS DOMAIN!)
I'm telling ya, Sunshine, Texas is spread out! Who the hell thought about "Amarillo by Morning"????? I thought we'd never get through Amarillo! Wide, open spaces, I must say. I stuffed my face with all those tourist goodies at Bucky's. Yes, sirreee. Put up a billboard, and I'm following it wherever it takes me. Glad the hubby was driving. If I drove, I'd be stopping all over Texas!
Sunshine, don't ever tell Wesman he was our very first TAGTEAM HubPages crush! When men know they are admired by the female population, you never know what they'll be doing next. In Wesman's case, he could be lured into other careers. He will never change an air conditioning filter, again! Need to watch these handsome devils from Texas. I believe they can be a handful to keep track of!
Hahaha! Wesman you are one of a kind :)
Ah, Wesman!!! (sigh)
It is nice to meet a hubber like you. I believe in your honesty and keep up the good work. Thanks.
Carol, thank you! Looking forward to reading your next piece. Enjoyed your profile, too! Sometimes, my honesty is brutally honest and scares some people (as in my family), but I do practice tact and diplomacy most of the time. Hmmmmmmm . . .
Hi Arlene, love the passion - not so sure about the self-certainty. Kinda reminds me of a guy I once worked with, whose going-in position was "I'm right, you're wrong. Remember that, and we'll get along."
Turns out he wasn't (not always, and not in my opinion). And we didn't.
Could be you and I will fall the same way.
But, on the offchance you're interested in reading someone else's perspective, can I refer you to a hub I wrote? (My first, when I was hub newbie too; still am, in effect). I won't bore you here with how it differs from your views; suffice to say it reflects a greater respect for other people's written work. And why to me, that matters on a site like HubPages.
I also won't link to it here, of course. If you want to take a look, you can find it on my profile page, under "Why The Hub Hopper is a Risk to Creative Expression".
I'd be interested in your views. Don't hold back. As if... :) Like yourself, I can take criticism, and I enjoy an exchange of views.
Cheers
Hi, there, writeronline. Thank you for your comments and insights. I wish I had read your article when I first started Hub Hopping. Since then, I have mellowed out and have given my comments, encouragement, and yackity yack to writers who inspire and delight me. I do have the attention span of a gnat, so I always enjoy good writing. You have so many good points in your Hub, plus a lot more interesting others that I need to check out. So, I am following you. I was so ruthless with the Hub Hopping that the Powers that Be sent me an email and explained how I should be rating these Hubs. Yeah, right! You're talking to someone who never got her teaching credential but has this attraction to red Sharpies! So from then on, I lay off the ones who need a lot of work. Let them find their own way becauce I'm not responsible for their writing journey. But I have run across a couple of newbie Hubbers with maybe 2-3 Hubs in. So they were trying to lecture me on how I should write. Or tell me about the effects of post-partum. Face it! I'm childless! Wrong things to say to me!! None of their business, so I tell them. I will not be a combo English professor, copy writer or editor for free. I am forever editing my own work, so that's what I do. I hope I don't look like a person who always has to be right. But to give you a hint, I am the only girl with two younger brothers. Daddy's girl. And I do suffer from firstborn child tendencies. Hardy har har! BTW, are you familiar with National November Writing Month? Have you ever done it? I signed up a couple of days ago, but I'm backing out. I want to write a memoir, but I'll have to do it on my own. As far as I understand it, they want fiction. I don't do fiction. If you did a memoir, they want you to turn it into fiction. No, thanks. Plus the fact that you are typing your novel into the computer so they can do a "word count". Of course,they pay no attention to what you're writing, right? And they "erase" everything. Hmmmmmmm.
Arlene, hi again. I saw you'd visited that hub, and commented on it. I must say I was surprised at your response, I'd been expecting more of a, "writing's a cruel world, and competitive. Sink or swim, I say. If newbies can't cut it, it's up to experienced writers like me to tell 'em, shape up, or ship out."
My second surprise is the response to my comment that you've written above. 'Ms Mellow' already... :). But I guess a message from HP HQ to back off would give anyone pause, and maybe a reason to soften the tone.
But I'm glad you didn't spit the dummy altogether. I'm actually right with you, possibly even more so (as you'll see if you read a few of my Hubs on writing) about the need to turn up ready to write, and write well, not clutter the place with meaningless crap. And again like you, while I think we're entitled to expect a level of professionalism from fellow hubbers, I don't take kindly to having my standards criticised by people who often can't tell the difference .
I'm a little worried about you following me; I don't have any particular specialty, and I'm still finding my way through the arcane matters of seo, keywords, et al, without which it appears, we can't hope to build an audience, let alone an income. In fact I sometimes feel I should change my avatar to one of those bumper stickers that say "Don't follow me. I'm lost"!
On the other hand, I do put my all into everything I post onsite, so hopefully there'll be something you'll get something out of - even if it's only a laugh.
Enjoyed the dialog, Arlene. Thanks.
PS. I have written one fictional piece, posted here as a short story. But no, I don't do competitions. And like you, if I had to write my memoirs as fiction in order to qualify for entry, I'd have backed out just as fast. How dumb is that?
writeonline, let me tell you. I am fascinated with your background in advertising. It wouldn't hurt me to read your work. That is a field I have never ventured into. Besides anything having to do with math or science. Mama always wanted me to be a nurse, you know. But since I tweak measurements, I would have killed my patients. I also don't have a Mother Terese demeanor, either. Anywhoooo, my background is a degree in English, concentration in Creative Writing and a minor in Film. I've been Lois Lane, and I have the worst time switching over to online writing and the SEO thang. Also, I don't have computer skills, so it's much harder for me to set up my Hubs. Sure, I'm so proud if I figure it out, but try asking for help. It's like going to one of my Guild classes (spinning, weaving, basket weaving, knitting, etc.). The experienced ones with 25+ will answer your questions and expect you to understand. Then they leave you. The same here. I asked for help on the Forum, and some 100-ranked Hubber answered in one sentence. I turned around and said, "Can you please walk me through this? I don't understand." Do you think she had the time? Nope! Of course she didn't. She was too busy maintaining her hot 100. Anyway, I don't think like a lot of people. I am thinking all of the time and scrambling to write them down in my writer's journal so I can write about it later. I do my own photography because I don't know how to pull from the freebies. I talk like I write, and you would never know I have an English degree or ever came close to one. Also, I have not completed a crossword puzzle in my life because my vocabulary is limited. As far as Hubs go, I am one to scatter crap on the Internet. I finished my 30-30 challenge and have been keeping up with Hub writing. Instead of doing a Hub a day like I usually do, I stagger them during the week since I quit writing in my blog. Doing both is way too much for me. If HubPages needed a Hub POlicewoman, it would be me. So far, I have hit buttons and made comments when I found 1)a woman sending a photograph of herself wearing a bathing suit and barbecue beans 2)someone selling sex toys 3)someone asking if white women dated black men, would they ever go back. I started hitting keys and making comments on those. Sometimes, I feel we are doing their work when it comes to comments and all that. Then you have the elite who volunteer, but I wouldn't do anything for free. Believe me. I'm retired. You never do anything for free. Even with volunteer work, it has to mean something to you. Otherwise, don't do it! Thank you so much for your insights on the November writing project. I pulled out last night. I never cared for putting my work out there. I do enjoy "talking" to you. Will keep an eye out for your Hubs as well as read the ones listed on your profile. If you ever think of anything, leave me a comment on any of my Hubs. I always answer each comment. Unless you are leaving a website for discount shoes or are advertising for a "Young and Dumb" girlfriend. I had that happen to me this week.
A very good hub. I find hopping hubs very enjoyable.
Hi, jfay: Thank you for your comments. Since writing that Hub, I've mellowed out and have been enjoying the Hubs and Hub Hopping without whipping out my red Sharpie. Every writer is on their own journey. I have learned to back off when it comes to the spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc. It is not my call to correct errors or leave emails to notify the writers of their mistakes. I do enjoy my favorite writers and discovering new ones. I do a lot of reading and bookmarking. I do have a very memorable collection of Hubs and will continue to add to it. Thanks, again!
I found hub hopping to be a great way to find writers I am interested in following. At first, I thought that was the point; and, one day I read the instructions. Aha! I have flagged several hubs for various reasons; but, I either vote or move on. I don't always have something to say in the comments; and, I have never felt bad about that. I would rather not say anything than to say nothing.
You drove through Amarillo? I try not to avoid doing that. It is so flat and hard to stay awake, if you are driving. Did you go near Palo Duro Canyon?
Hey, leroy, didn't have much time to explore Texas and didn't go near the Palo Duro Canyon. We had just left New Orleans and were trying to get to Sugarland before it got too late. Then to New Mexico and Las Vegas before returning to Sacramento. Anyway, I wasn't the one doing the driving, so I fell asleep looking at yellow and woke up looking at yellow. I thought Amarillo would not end, but I kept hearing the George Strait tune in my head. Next time, we'll stay longer the next time we visit Texas. At least I'll have your Hubs as my travel reference. I've mellowed out when it comes to Hub Hopping. If the errors or the subjects are way too much for me, I'll move on. I did catch a few awful hubs, including the woman covered in beans,someone trying to push sex toys on the feed, and a few people just being plain mean. Those, I couldn't ignore. So, I pushed buttons. Everything else, I'll leave alone. It's more important for me to read and enjoy the Hubs offered. Or not. I am always looking for something to bookmark. I'm usually not disappointed. I like discovering new writers and hope they remain.
FloraBreenRobison 9 months ago
I quite often hub hop. My main focus is finding hubs that need to be flagged. If I find a hub on a topic I don't know, I often skip it without voting up or down as I don't know if the information is correct or not. I won't be a newbie for much longer either-September 7th I lose my newbie status.