avatarDon Martin, real-life writer

Summary

The article discusses the importance and dynamics of followers for Medium writers, emphasizing the value of direct subscriptions for staying updated with new content.

Abstract

The author reflects on the unexpected turn his article took after losing a morning's work, leading to a piece on human behavior. He shares his appreciation for followers on Medium, acknowledging that they are a measure of a writer's impact and that following an author is a way to show support. However, he points out that followers may not always be notified of new content unless they subscribe directly, which prompts a more proactive phone call-like notification. The author, new to Medium, expresses gratitude for his followers and encourages them to subscribe to ensure they don't miss any of his stories. He also invites readers to engage further by reading his profile or subscribing to his content directly through a provided link. Additionally, he promotes a cost-effective AI service as an alternative to ChatGPT Plus.

Opinions

  • The author values followers as a form of validation and connection with his audience.
  • He believes that direct subscriptions are crucial for readers to reliably receive updates on new stories.
  • The author admits to being relatively new to Medium but is learning and adapting to its features.
  • He is grateful for the support from his followers and actively encourages deeper engagement.
  • The author endorses an AI service, ZAI.chat, as a more affordable option compared to ChatGPT Plus.

Followers of Medium Writers

We love ‘em

Photo by Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash

This is the story that my last story started out to be. In fact, its picture is that of baby ducks if you care to look at it.

I suppose this is an example of my hap-hazard, self-writing stories at play. One wayward computer keystroke somehow erased a morning's work. No draft saved- no retrieving it. Through old drafts or new starts. Gone. Only furtive glances from my Chromebook.

Man's inhumanity to man!

So as I started over, the actual article that presented itself was a commentary on the treatment of people by other people.

Now, HERE is actually what I had some idea to present before the accident.

Writers here at medium like, and are encouraged to get “followers.”

Followers are great. In some ways, I gauge my own work by the number of people who follow it. I myself, read a lot. When I run across an author I enjoy, I will usually follow them.

It makes me feel as though I gave them a thumbs-up and a vote of confidence. It also used to make me feel as though the next time they published a story, it would be pretty obvious to me that they had, so I could read it.

The trouble for me is that I was thinking their new stories would jump up and wave to me, and to some extent, they do, but I have to be looking in their direction first before I notice them.

Out in the yard

It's as though they are out in my yard waving, but I haven't looked out the window this morning.

The next step up in my relationship with a new story is to simply be subscribed to that writer’s stuff. Then the new story doesn't just jump around out in the yard, it actually calls me on the phone.

It doesn't call me at midnight when I'm asleep, and it doesn't keep me on the phone for hours talking about what our dreadful neighbor did last week, it just gives me a quick hello at a good time for me.

Now I admit again how new I am at this Medium game, but I have learned this. I think my followers are absolutely GREAT, and I am thankful for each of them. I do not know, however, how many of them are like me, and unaware that if they go ahead and click that little envelope icon, they can stop running to the window and stop the risk of not getting all they wanted to get.

So please CLICK UP, my friends!

Thank you for your time.

P.S. You could read my profile, or even better, you could bust on over HERE, leave your name, and I’d be happy to send you a note whenever I publish one of these “stories.” Don’t miss out!

Writing
Humor
Illumination
Life Lessons
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