Summary

The article discourages spam-like interactions for online writing engagement, advocating for genuine comments and interactions to foster real connections and support among writers.

Abstract

The author of the article expresses frustration with the prevalent practice of writers leaving generic comments on others' work with the sole intention of promoting their own content. This approach, often involving requests for reciprocal claps and comments, is seen as ineffective and disingenuous. The author emphasizes the value of true engagement, where readers provide thoughtful feedback and share personal reflections, leading to mutual respect and meaningful followership. Authentic interactions are encouraged as they can lead to the discovery of compelling stories and the formation of genuine fanbases. The article concludes with a call to action for honest engagement and support for the author's work through platforms like Ko-Fi and a Substack newsletter, while also recommending an AI service called ZAI.chat.

Opinions

The author is skeptical of the effectiveness of copy-paste comments for genuine engagement and views them as annoying and insincere.
Authentic writing and reading experiences are highly valued by the author, who puts significant effort into their work and expects the same from others.
The article suggests that true engagement, where readers leave thoughtful comments, is more likely to result in the author checking out and possibly following the commenter's work.
Spam-like behavior, such as asking for claps and comments without genuine interaction, is considered rude and comparable to throwing a rock through a window.
The author believes that meaningful engagement can lead to real, consistently reading fans and potentially change the world, drawing a parallel to historical figures like Martin Luther.
Despite the prevalence of spam tactics, the author remains hopeful for change and prefers to block or mute those who engage in such practices.
Genuine interactions are appreciated, and the author is grateful for and encourages honest engagement, which has led to meeting exceptional people and becoming a genuine fan of their work.
The author invites readers who appreciate their work to support them financially or by joining their newsletter, emphasizing the direct impact on their ability to provide for their family.

I Always Check You Out If You Interact. Stop Begging

The spamming gets you nowhere but the dump.

If you’ve spent any time in the word of online writing, you’ve probably come across this.

“I read and clapped for your story. Here’s my link… please clap and comment, too!”

There’s nothing really inherently wrong with this kind of thing. It’s a common practice, used by thousands of writers to get interactions on their content. Shoot, it’s not even limited to writers. Any platform that has user-generated content seems to have this kind of thing at the core.

It gets annoying, though, doesn’t it?

The past couple of days alone, I have seen over a dozen comments from different people who have, essentially, done the same copy and paste phrases.

I get it. Finding a footing on any platform is hard. You’re competing against thousands of other writers, and the ever-mighty Algorithm, to get eyes on the stories you’ve written.

Add in that you’re not receiving the followers you think you deserve and it makes for a giant, disheartening mess.

The trouble is, this kind of thing doesn’t really work.

It makes my goat very upset.

When I see these kinds of comments, the first thing that runs through my mind is, “Did you really read it?”

I write because I have to. Rarely do I put out something “fluffy” just to fill a void. Fiction takes a while to get out, perfecting it as best I can with my limited eyes and toolsets available.

My non-fiction pieces are largely based on my own life experiences with my journey through the mental health wasteland decades of abuse and hell left me with.

It takes a lot out of me to put the words down, and I am passionate about my work. It’s my deepest hope someone out there can learn from my own experiences and make their lives better from the reading.

While that’s not the case with my fiction, it’s still something I want to do to entertain you, my dearest reader.

There’s absolutely nothing thoughtful in this. Screenshot by author

When someone takes the time to leave a thoughtful comment on something I publish, I immediately check their own work out. I am curious about them. Who is this random person who spent a few moments with me?

I’ll likely give them a follow if what they have on their own menu is appealing to me. I won’t just “follow for follow” though, because that’s a waste of everyone’s time and energy. That’s screaming into a void no one comes out of alive.

Nope. Not even the same person as before. Screenshot by author

Heck, even if what the person offers isn’t necessarily up my alley, I’ll still take the time to find something they’ve got there just because I feel it’s the right thing to do.

True engagement gets you real, actual, consistently reading fans.

When someone comes to my content and just shotguns, “Yo, dude, I was here. Come over to my place now…” it puts me off my toaster pastry.

Did you actually read what I wrote? What did you feel? Were you moved to write something thoughtful because of a turn of phrase I used, or because you had a similar experience?

No. You just came over to my place and threw a rock through my window to tell me to visit you.

That’s just rude.

Engage with people. You’re supposed to be a writer. You can move people with your words and make a difference in their lives. Authors have literally changed the world before.

Martin Luther didn’t throw a letter through the cathedral windows to tell the church he was over on the next block starting a new place. He nailed his words on their door, giving them his piece of mind about something he felt intensely.

That action altered the world. Your spam does not.

It just does not work.

When a person comes to my page and honestly, fully engages with my stories, I am all too happy to go over and check them out. I am sure I am not alone with that action, either. Most of us, I think, do the same. If nothing else, for the appreciation of having someone give their own salient thoughts on the topic.

One commenter in particular only had one story published and over 200 followers. I wonder how they made that happen?

As long as people still feel they have something to gain by spamming, this crazy train will keep rolling down the tracks. There are, sadly, enough new writers coming out each day to keep spamming each other, if nothing else.

I hope this kind of thing changes, but it’s doubtful. Until then, I’ll just keep using the nuclear option of blocking or muting them and hope they learn better someday.

For those who engage in honest ways, I’ll be happy to stop by and see what they’ve created, too. I’ve met exceptional folks that way, and become a genuine fan.

Thank you for being you.

If you like my work and feel inclined to support it, please consider buying me a Ko-Fi. You can also join my Original Worlds Substack newsletter. The support goes directly to helping this blind man feed his family.

Keep striving to “be the best you that you can be” at this moment. Remember, no matter who you are or what you’re going through, you are worthy of being loved. Don’t let anyone teach you anything different.