Summary

An author reflects on the impact of giving minimal applause on the Medium platform and advocates for a more generous clapping etiquette to show appreciation for fellow writers.

Abstract

The author recounts the deflating experience of concluding a speech to only one clap, drawing a parallel to the Medium platform where users can clap for articles and comments. Initially, the author admits to giving single claps out of habit from other social media platforms but quickly recognized the negative connotation it carried. To rectify this, the author developed a personal clapping chart to ensure meaningful engagement with content: no claps for disinterest, a minimum of 10 claps for standard comments, 20 for thoughtful ones, and a tiered system for articles based on quality and impact. The author encourages others to adopt a similar approach, emphasizing the importance of showing support and appreciation within the Medium community, as it costs nothing but time and fosters a culture of mutual encouragement and recognition.

Opinions

Single claps on Medium can be perceived as an insult rather than support.
The author initially mistook the Medium clap system for similar social media interactions like 'likes' or 'hearts'.
A personal clapping chart was created to standardize the author's engagement and show genuine appreciation.
The author believes that clapping is a way to acknowledge the effort and creativity of other writers.
A minimum of 10 claps for comments and 30 for articles is suggested to encourage a supportive community.
The act of clapping generously is presented as a valuable contribution to the Medium ecosystem.
The author invites readers to join Medium through their referral link for unlimited

Imagine Standing on Stage After Giving a Speech & Only Getting One Clap

If you wouldn’t appreciate receiving the single-handed slapper, save your clap for a rainy day

Photo & Design by Rick Bartrand — Author

Standing up front and above thousands of listeners, you just delivered your most engaging, deepest heartfelt verbal presentation yet.

You close the speech in anticipation, with your whole body full of gratitude for the crowd that showed up to hear your masterpiece.

Your breath just uttered the closing words “Thank You” as you take your bow, cheeks are tight from smiling an ear-to-ear grin. Pausing for a second, you return to an erect stance with excitement in your lungs, ready for the practiced ending response you’ve been rehearsing just for this moment…

And… And… AND…

A SINGLE clap cracks the air with a devastating blow to your momentarily inflated ego, completely deflating the wind from your sales as you stand there in painful silence.

You can feel the heated tips fill your face with stabbing pins on this invisible dartboard that’s painted all over your sinking posture.

Two slow steps backward, a swift pivot on the ball of your left foot, swiftly followed by a jolt off the stage in bitter defeat.

Seriously… One clap!

When I first started on this platform, it took a few days of endless reading and a sincere desire to learn everything I could to fit into this community with open arms.

Now,… I will admit that during the first day or two of getting my feet wet with the new lingo and ways of the Medium world, I sadly gave a few fellow pen folk a lonely single crack of the wrist whip but very quickly realized that it was more of an insult than just not clapping at all.

I believe subconsciously I was comparing the “like” button on FB or the “heart” icon on IG as the guide for this newly discovered way of showing appreciation.

What did I do from that moment forward, you might ask?…

Well, a hip hip ho hearty thank you for asking that there inquiring question, that I would have answered without the invite. (Smiley face Obi-Wan emoji)

I made a promise to myself and everyone that is within the sound of my clacking keyboard that I would never ever give anyone a one-eyed jack slap as long as I have breath left in my precious little twin oxy-bags.

So, I came up with an unofficial chart for how many claps I would give someone for engaging with any part of my presence here in The Medium-Ville.

The chart is as follows:

0 to 9 claps = I don’t even bother!

For comments;

10 claps = The minimum amount for those responding in the comments as a courtesy for taking the time to show me some letter love.
20 claps = The minimum amount for those responding in the comments that obviously went out of their way to choose words beyond the run-of-the-mill comments.

For Articles;

30 claps = The minimum amount for any written article that I find to be, at least, interesting and you can tell the author poured some imported olive oil on that one.
40 claps = The minimum amount for an article I have highlighted one or more words or sentences in that I can use as a takeaway to increase my smarts.
50 claps = The minimum and by default, the maximum amount for an article that has moved my knowledge box up a notch, inspired me to take some notes, or just plain tickled my innards with their over-the-top creative sentence feathers and made me laugh out loud.

These are the absolute minimums I am sticking to and encourage everyone else to either follow suit or make their own mini clap chart.

But please, don’t even bother to give anyone anything less than 10 claps minimum on a comment or 30 claps minimum on an article you choose to clap on.

For one, it doesn’t cost you anything but a few seconds of your time,
And two, it’s an excellent way to show other writers in this community some much-needed love and appreciation for giving you the gift of their world, made open to you for the taking.

Thank you so much for your time. If you’ve found this helpful, I would love to stay in touch, click HERE to be informed of my next article. If you could find it in your heart to contribute to my cause, or just want to buy me a coffee, click HERE.

Lastly, if you are an aspiring reader or writer you can join me on Medium for unlimited informative and interesting stories by this link below. Thanks again.

Join Medium with my referral link — Rick Bartrand

As a Medium member, a portion of your membership fee goes to writers you read, and you get full access to every story…

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Much Love. Rick