Summary

The author of the article emphasizes the importance of genuine engagement and support for fellow writers on Medium by actively clapping, commenting, and sharing their work, likening the effort to a form of exercise for the fingers and a way to transmit positive energy.

Abstract

The author, a Medium contributor, reflects on their initial reluctance to engage with other writers on the platform, focusing solely on their own work. However, after discovering inspiring writers such as Jordan Mendiola, Lu Mar, Francine Fallara, and Stephen Dalton, the author began to prioritize supporting these writers with enthusiastic clapping, insightful comments, and sharing their articles. The author describes this practice as a metaphorical workout, where the goal is to expend all one's energy in showing appreciation, much like completing a rigorous physical exercise. Drawing inspiration from Kevin Hart, the author believes in the power of positivity and its ripple effect, noting how even small gestures can significantly impact others. The article concludes with a list of the author's favorite Medium writers, encouraging readers to discover and support these talented individuals.

Opinions

The author initially undervalued the importance of community engagement on Medium, focusing primarily on personal content creation.
Engagement with other writers' content should be done with sincerity and effort, akin to a physical exercise regimen.
Positive interactions, such as clapping and commenting, can have a profound impact on both the receiver and the giver, fostering a supportive writing community.
The author advocates for sharing work on platforms like Facebook Groups to increase exposure for lesser-known but equally talented writers.
The author holds a strong belief in the power of positivity and its ability to inspire and uplift others within the Medium community and beyond.
A list of favorite writers is shared as a recommendation to readers, showcasing the author's appreciation for diverse writing styles and topics.

I Treat Clapping on Medium Like an Exercise

Train those finger muscles!

I’m not going to sugarcoat it. As a Medium contributor for the past two months, there were only a handful of writers I engaged with. I heard the advice: make connections, build a community, and inspire 1000 true fans. But I was instead obsessed with putting out my own work.

Then I started coming across writers like Jordan Mendiola, Lu Mar, Francine Fallara, and Stephen Dalton— people I found by chance. Every day these writers continue to inspire, entertain, and inform me with their work.

I had to support these writers in any way I could. So I started getting into the habit of delivering 50 claps, commenting on stories, and sharing work amongst my friends.

But I realized something one day: “I’m a sh!t clapper.”

These writers don’t deserve 50 half-assed claps — they deserve my best. Now I’m not clapping for the hell of it, I’m instead sending these writers my energy. I want them to continue to succeed and know there’s someone who appreciates their work.

When I’m done clapping, I want my fingers to be sore. Like after a good run, I want nothing left in the tank and all my energy spent.

It might sound dumb: “They don’t know how hard your clapping moron!” you may think. To me, however, it’s all about putting out positivity in the world. I picked up the lesson from Kevin Hart a few months ago, and I’m finally putting it into practice.

It’s so easy to look down upon positive energy especially in the wake of current circumstances. But a little bit goes a long way. Your comment on an article could’ve just brightened the day of someone who really needed it.

I can’t tell you how many times a single text from an estranged friend or a comment on one of my articles has changed my entire mood. Clapping like a maniac may be useless to anyone looking in from the outside, but for me, it reinforces the positivity I want to put forth in the world.

Now on Facebook Groups (which I highly recommend you share your work on if you aren’t already), I ask writers to share their articles because I want to find more incredible people on this platform. The big-named writers like Ayodeji Awosika and Tim Denning are one-of-a-kind, but what about the ones who are as good and just need more exposure?

I know writers like that are out there, and now I want to find them — let’s find them together.

A list of my favorite writers on the platform (July 2020):

Scott Mayer —An all-around beast in writing and athleticism. Check out his article, “How Minimalism Improves Fitness.”

Galit Birk, PhD — Dr. Galit inspired me to read more poetry before I go to bed. It really gets you thinking at night.

Nisha Singh — I recently stumbled across Nisha on Facebook. Her article, “Lessons I learned to run a business from Bhagavad Gita” is one of the most interesting angles I’ve ever seen in a story.

T. P. Bloomfield — Tom is going to blow up. He’s smart, informative, and above all, a great writer. Check out his story “Winston Churchill: Hero or Villain.”

Joe Garza — I’m a sucker for witty writing. Joe’s publications the Reckless Muse and Snickering Skull are two of the most underrated on this platform.

Akos Peterbencze — I’m pretty sure Akos was born to be a top writer in movies. The guy is a professional in every sense of the word. Check out his article “Watching Jim Carrey Climb Into a Giant Hand Is Unforgettable.”

Jordan Mendiola — I feel like I’ve known Jordan my whole life — and that’s a testament to his superb writing skills. This guy’s a brother to me and I’ve only known him for two months. Check out his inspirational publication, “Long-Term Perspective.”

James Garside — I met James on Linkedin and I immediately became an admirer of his work. He’s the editor of three publications, all of which are enigmatic, creative and wildly entertaining.

Jeff Barton — His article, “Why I Run” is one of the best I’ve read, well, ever!

Lu Mar — One of the first writers I connected with on Medium. Lu was born to write — her articles are sleek, informative, and always engaging. And she loves thrifting (bonus points in my book). Check out her story, “8 Reasons You Need to Embrace and Love Thrift Shopping/Charity Shopping.”

Francine Fallara — The absolute sweetest and most genuine writer/editor on Medium. She’s also a massive music fan and has taught me so much about the bands I love to listen to. Francine is also another writer who helped me reconnect with the power of poetry. Check out her haiku: “Learning to Tame Your Blues.”

Stephen Dalton — I’m an Army brat (and I was heading to Officer Candidate School prior to Covid-19) so Stephen Dalton’s work is always a must-read for me. His article, “Another Day as a Drill Sergeant” was so good, I had to reread it after I finished.