avatarBrandon Ellrich

Summary

The article discusses the phenomenon of "clap-and-runners" on Medium, who superficially engage with content to promote their own work without genuine interaction.

Abstract

The author addresses the issue of "clap-and-runners" on the Medium platform, individuals who rapidly clap for multiple articles and follow writers without actually reading the content. This behavior is seen as a tactic to draw attention to their own blogs and projects, often in the hope of reciprocal follows or engagement. The article highlights the impact of such actions on Medium metrics and the community's authenticity. It also emphasizes the importance of genuine engagement, such as reading, commenting, and highlighting, which not only respects the writers' efforts but also contributes to a more meaningful and supportive online ecosystem. The author calls for a more personal and respectful approach to online interactions, suggesting that even in business, there should be a level of personal connection and integrity.

Opinions

  • The author is critical of the "clap-and-runner" approach, viewing it as a disingenuous method to gain attention and followers.
  • The article suggests that rapid, non-engaged clapping without reading is equivalent to a lie and undermines the purpose of applause as a sign of approval or praise.
  • There is frustration expressed over the lack of authentic engagement, which affects both the emotional investment and the financial aspects of writing on Medium.
  • The author believes that business practices, even in the context of content creation and promotion, should be personal and considerate of others' feelings and livelihoods.
  • A call to action is made for readers to engage more meaningfully with content by highlighting and commenting, rather than just clapping and following for self-promotional reasons.
  • The article implies that writers who engage in "clap-and-run" tactics should at least do so within their own niche, suggesting a sense of community and mutual support among similar content creators.

OPINION | AUTHENTIC ENGAGEMENT

“It’s Not Personal, It’s Business” — The Clap-and-Runner’s Perspective?

No matter what you do, isn’t it all personal?

He’s about to make you an offer you can’t refuse. Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels

I’m tagging Nouriel Gino Yazdinian for fun and completely unrelated to the following story.

Speed Reader or Clap-and-Runner?

If you’ve been on Medium for a while, you might’ve seen the term “clap-and-runner.” It refers to someone who clicks on your article, claps a few times, and then leaves without reading the article. They may even follow you afterward.

“Why would someone do that?” you say.

This is done to bring attention to their blog and other projects. They probably also hope for a “follow-back” from you. Besides simply being annoying, it affects your Medium metrics.

So, before you warm up your hands or put on your running shoes, please read on.

Dear Anonymous Clapper:

Your name came up in a few of my notifications. One said you clapped for one of my articles 24 minutes ago. Then, you clapped for another article… 24 minutes ago, and then another article… 24 minutes ago, and then you started following me… 24 minutes ago.

Either Medium’s clock has run out of batteries, or you’ve mastered the art of speed-reading. Medium’s estimations of the articles referenced put reading time at a total of 18 minutes for all three combined. Consolidating 18 minutes into 60 seconds is impressive.

I guess there’s also another possibility: you clicked on several articles, clapped five times for each of them (at least you’re consistent), and then moved on.

After “reading” three of my articles, you decided to follow me. These three articles must have left a lasting impression on you. I would love to know what you thought of them. I would ask you in a comment, but you didn’t leave one. A simple highlight would show me which part resonated with you the most.

I hope you’ll respond to this article and tell me Medium messed up. I hope you’ll say yes, indeed, Medium’s clock is frozen in time. I don’t mind admitting when I make a mistake.

Within that 60 seconds that you read and clapped for three different stories, you could’ve left comments. I went back to check but I didn’t find any from you.

Perhaps you’re trying to drum up business, get people to visit and subscribe to your Substack, or buy your books. I’d prefer something a little more straightforward like, “Hey, I’d like to tell you about my book.”

I’m sorry that you, specifically, are the recipient of this inquiry. I’m sorry you’re the straw that broke the camel’s back. You’re not the only one in that ungulate, humped animal’s… satchel? Saddle bag? What kind of carry-on does a camel use for straws?

For all you other clap-and-runners, a pox on thee and thy house! May thy armpits be infested by the fleas of a thousand camels!

But seriously, did you know that reading time affects your earnings? Did you know that the view-to-read ratio is essential too? Do you care? For someone who’s been on the platform for more than a year, you should probably know these things.

If you’re going to clap without reading the article, you could at least clap 50 times to extend the reading time.

Thanks. 🙄

Follow and Run

I read an article by Cipher Max about the difficulty of building an audience. I left the comment:

It can be difficult, but the more you read and comment on other writers’ stories, the more they return the favor.

35 people clapped for that comment and a couple of people responded to it.

One person responded to the comment by saying, “Lets follow each other” and then followed me.

Really? This is a response to another person’s article. It refers to growing an audience authentically by reading and engaging with other writers and their stories.

This is one of the rare instances when I don’t respond to a comment. This person, as far as I know, has never read any of my articles.

Again, he’s another spine-snapping straw on a different defeated dromedary. I’ve had so many followers within the past couple of months who I’d never heard from before — or since following.

Other than “[So-and-so] started following you,” I’ve received no notifications. So-and-so didn’t clap for any stories, so-and-so didn’t highlight anything, so-and-so didn’t respond to any stories, and so-and-so didn’t subscribe.

And so and so and so… I don’t follow back.

It’s Just Business

Whether building their following or trying to peddle their wares, they’re not thinking of the other person they’re using to do it.

I’m reminded of the movie You’ve Got Mail.

In the movie, Joe Fox (played by Tom Hanks) put Kathleen Kelly (played by Meg Ryan) out of business. Fox’s major bookstore chain moved in just around the corner from Kathleen’s small, family-owned bookstore. She lost so many customers she was forced to close her shop.

Joe Fox says, “It wasn’t personal.”

Kathleen Kelly responds, “All that means is that it wasn’t personal to you… Whatever else anything is, it oughta begin by being personal.”

Here’s the clip if you want to see it:

I agree. I understand the concept of trying to grow a business, but we’re still human. We should treat one another with respect and keep in mind others’ feelings and lives when making decisions.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, applause is “approval or praise expressed by clapping.” If you clap for a story without reading it, isn’t that the same as a lie? How can you approve or praise something you know nothing about?

It’s All Personal

Some writers don’t write about their personal lives. For them, their blog is just business. And yet, doesn’t your business affect your personal life and vice versa?

Others write to express themselves, to heal, or to release repressed emotions. They feel connected to others who have had similar experiences.

For some, it’s both. I fall into this category. Yes, I write personal stories and I hope others can connect, and I hope what I have to say makes a difference in their lives. I also have bills to pay. I’m doing what I love and hoping at the same time, I can make money doing it.

If you’re here simply for business, that’s fine, but please respect those who have a personal investment.

If you can’t take time out of your busy, money-making schedule to engage authentically, at least clap and run out on writers in your own niche. They’re probably doing the same with you.

Thanks for reading! If you can relate to anything in this article, please highlight it and leave a comment. Don’t worry, I won’t write an article about you if you don’t. 😉

Tagging a small group (in a non-accusatory way) who may be interested in this particular article. Perhaps they know this anonymous clapper referenced above or one with a similar modus operandi:

Adrian CDTPPW, Michael Rhodes, Author Emily, Darrin Atkins, M. J. Carson, Filza Chaudhry, Steven Laine, Kendalin Jane, Emma Vincent, A man leading a simple life, Lamcer31210, R. Gurley, Worrickjk, Nate Lost, Nolan Clarke, Bruno T., Annelise Lords, Joe Wade, Peter H Christian, Harry Hogg, Claire Kelly, Sweet Honeylu, Lisa Cunningham DeLauney, La Musa, Seth Rock, Stephen Payne, Valy Oltean, Taryn Ariel, Sam W.

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