Hi @tifaong, I have a comment to try to help you too. I think you are trying the right things, especially the "engaging" the authors part. That is a big deal that many people don't understand or underestimate the importance. Getting to know people is very important and what you have done by writing a nice well thought out explanation to @deborism has not only gotten you noticed by her but also by me.
If you keep doing this on a regular basis then you will find that you will meet all kinds of people. When I first started I set a goal of mine to have 50 real comments like this every day. I started 2 months ago and now I have 4000 follower, I tell you this not to pat myself on the back but to show you it can be done. It takes a lot of work to make a good post, but it also takes a lot of effort to meet new people. Keep doing what you said you are and focus on doing it "MORE".
Also there are several services that you can use such as @resteemable and @originalworks that can help you also get noticed. Plus our organization @deborism and mine is #newbieresteemday and we have many people that are doing all kinds of things to get you noticed. So you can tag your posts with that tag and be seen by our members and more importantly you can follow that tag and learn what is going on and meet great people like @deborism.
So keep your head up and keep working and most of all keep learning!
Hi @davemccoy, what you've done is very inspiring. I didn't know by consistently commenting for real for a period of time will gain so many followers. You've shown to me that it can be done. Thank you so, so much! You've motivated me to be even more consistent, even more engaging.
Thank you for sharing with me initiatives that can help me get noticed :)
I really like what you're doing at #newbieresteemday. You will not able to imagine the number of people you've helped through this project and we're all grateful for your time and energy.
Continue what you're doing!!!
That's how you make an impression!!! ;)
Thank you very much for paying attention, it is very motivating to me to see a response where I can tell you are being genuine and have taken the time to write out a thoughtful response. I will certainly remember you for sure just because you did this!
So keep doing this with others (and keep it genuine, that is the key). You can be funny or serious, but when you are really you then the author will feel like you are giving them respect. Like what I am doing with you! You wrote a very good comment to me, so I'm taking the time to write a thoughtful and appropriate response to you! ;)
You are going to be great if you keep this up @tifaong!!!
I am don't know whether you have joined the #newbieresteemday initiative yet, but you are invited and have "pre-approval"... We need people like you to not only grow with us, but also help to explain the message to others. You "get it", so you would be a great addition :)
Oh no Dave, you've made my day :))
I am really, really happy about you said regarding remembering me. I have remembered you and everytime I login to Steemit, you are one of the first few people I will visit straight away XD
I totally understand how it feels when a reader REALLY reads what you wrote, it's priceless. I want you to have that kind of reader too :)
I'm already including #newbieresteemday in my upcoming posts. And I will deliver more genuine and high quality comments like you said, 50 comments per day! 50 is too many for now but I'm getting there!
Thank you for sharing your time, energy and being genuine with me. I really appreciate that. Let's rock this program!