Please Don’t Follow-for-Follow

Summary

Alicia Lee Colasurdo discourages the "follow-for-follow" practice on Medium, emphasizing the importance of quality content and patient growth over desperate self-promotion.

Abstract

The author, Alicia Lee Colasurdo, expresses her disdain for the growing trend of "follow-for-follow" on Medium, which she believes leads to an abundance of low-quality content and detracts from the platform's original intent of fostering quality writing. She acknowledges the necessity of gaining followers to join the Partner Program but questions the immediacy with which writers seek to monetize their work. Colasurdo distinguishes Medium from Twitter, arguing that Medium should remain a platform for substantial writing rather than turning into a space for attention-seeking without substance. She advises writers to be patient and to focus on improving their craft, assuring that quality writing will eventually be recognized. The author also emphasizes the importance of being a reader on Medium to understand what constitutes quality content, which in turn should inform one's writing. She concludes by encouraging readers to join Medium through her referral link, which benefits both parties.

Opinions

"Follow-for-follow" practices are criticized for producing "junk" content that undermines Medium's value as a platform for quality writing.
Medium should not emulate Twitter's model, as it was created with a different purpose in mind—to promote and enjoy meaningful written content.
Writers should prioritize the quality of their writing and the value it provides to readers over the number of followers they have.
Patience is key in building a following on Medium, and writers should focus on long-term improvement rather than short-term gains.
Reading extensively on Medium can help writers understand what readers appreciate and expect, which can guide them in producing quality content.
The desire for visibility and recognition is natural, but writers should exercise self-control and confidence in their work.
The author promotes her referral link as a way to join Medium, highlighting the mutual benefits of using it.

It produces junk

The internet has turned our species into rabid animals begging for scraps. It’s painful to watch. I came to Medium to write and read good, quality writing. This is also what Medium wants. And I get it. We have to reach 100 followers to apply for the Partner Program and qualify to make money. But are you paying your rent with your income from Medium today? My guess is no.

Medium is not Twitter

Don’t get me wrong. I will join “writing community” and “writer’s lift” threads to hop on the self-promotion and follow trains. This is my least favorite part of writing online, but it’s a necessary evil and it’s appropriate on Twitter. I explore this inner conflict that a lot of creators have in my piece, Soulless.

Medium is not Twitter. Unfortunately, for everyone, it is starting to have that feel. That unease of desperation. I want to be a part of a community that cares about writers and what they write. If I read your article and it screams for attention while providing no substance, I won’t follow you. That’s not what I want to read. That doesn’t enhance my life. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t keep writing. If your writing needs help and you want to get better, keep writing! But the people who will follow you just for a reciprocated follow aren’t going to help you get better.

Have Patience

Patience will pay off. Just like quality writing will. I gained over 100 followers in under a month. That was longer than I was hoping, but it’s realistic for someone new to this platform, promoting on the side. Patience is one of the hardest parts. I struggle waiting for a publisher to actually publish my story. I struggled to wait for that one follower when I was at 99. I’m not saying I don’t have the same desires, wants, and needs as any other person vying for visibility, I’m just saying to have some self-control and, most importantly, confidence.

One more thing…READ

I was a reader on Medium before I was a writer. I read several articles with no intention of writing on the platform. When I did eventually start writing, I knew what was expected. I also knew what I wanted to read — quality writing. Quality is what I read, so quality is what I wanted to write.

Medium is (was?) a sophisticated platform. Let’s keep it that way.

More by Alicia Lee Colasurdo

Become a part of Medium! Join with this link and benefit us both

As always, thanks for reading,

Please Don’t Follow-for-Follow

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Join Medium with my referral link - Alicia Lee Colasurdo

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