When we browse the Web, be it HN, GitHub, Twitter, blogs… we
- either consciously forget that there are receptive people like us staring at their computer on the other side.
- or assume the interesting ones are not interested in connecting with us.
- or we engage with them but mostly in an anonymous, minimal, unthoughtful kind of way.
I'm not telling you to be manipulative, or have a full clear agenda, but IMO it is necessary to be proactive and have a long-term vision on this.
Also, I'm not telling you to start tracking all interesting contacts in a CRM, but why not consciously build a small spreadsheet where you put the one that built that delightful small GitHub project, or the other one who has kindred ideas on HN ?
Like physical relationships, virtual ones need to be nurtured. It is not going to happen without forcing it a little. For every 100 people, the 2 or 3 that will truly connect with us may be worth it. If you don't do it you will never now.
CAUTION: disappointment is useless. The web is full of people. Thank you. Next.
All this will be obvious for all those (successful) entrepreneurs out there (or as obviously futile for the cynics) . But "basic" things need to be rehached sometimes.