@Nigel_Purchase@mstdn.social
If you would like more followers ---- follow people! No one will know about you if you don't. Most ppl follow back. And even if they don't, you get lots of interesting posts in your feed.
I follow a simple rule here on Mastodon, if I like what you say I will follow you!
I think people are a little confused about wanting to become a social media influencer. That's not really a thing here although the people that post the smartest stuff and reply to comments do seem to have a large number of followers. And THEY mostly follow you back! 
@Nigel_Purchase @NerdGirlInVR Even though it's normal parlance in social media I still find 'follow' applied to a stranger a bit icky and sinister, so maybe some people hesitate because of that.
Hopefully people realise that it isn't actually like that at all (mostly).
@alastair87 @Nigel_Purchase I get what you mean! Never really thought of it, but the word follow insinuates that you have somewhere to lead them. I'm not interested in leading anyone. Just like expressing my opinion. 
It's quite enjoyable to be in a place where people agree with my opinion and will have conversations around it in an adult manner if they don't.
Following with consent is different and respectful.
Following without consent has the implication of stalking and is what it sounds like is what makes you uncomfortable with the term
Mastodon gives users the right to screen potential followers with follow requests. That鈥檚 consent.
So is the default consent that comes into effect when users choose not to exercise that option in their settings.
