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Abstract

r follow game does not work.</b></p><p id="3a63">And I think most writers will agree. There is nothing worse for a writer, especially when you are just starting out, than getting a new person following your work, checking their profile, and seeing that they are following five thousand people. I don’t think you can read that much.</p><p id="bb86">And a quick look at their follower count and the engagement on their articles says that it is not working. How many people are following back? Five percent? Ten?</p><p id="3cd7">I don’t know if you’re paying for some kind of tool or doing it manually, but it is not worth the money or time you’re putting in.</p><p id="1c3a">You can’t buy relationships. At least normal ones that will make you feel good. And to build an audience, you have to build a relationship with your readers — every single one of them. You can’t trick people into following you and think that once they click on that follow button, they will be reading and loving every piece that you put out.</p><p id="1aa4">Good relationships take time, and really good ones take a lot of it. Be patient. You’ll get there eventually. But please don’t waste your time on useless tricks.</p><h1 id="0a46">What to do instead</h1><p id="231a">Instead of focusing your energy and time on numbers, you should focus on the only thing that matters right now — your writing.</p><p id="2792">Don’t try to hack your way into th

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e writing world. There is no secret method that will get you what you want without putting work into your writing. As a new writer, there are so many things for you to learn.</p><h2 id="a96c">Push yourself to understand the platform.</h2><p id="2e15">Read all the guidelines you can find, and when you finish reading, reread them. Learn how to edit your stories properly, how to pick a proper title and subtitle, and how to write a successful pitch.</p><p id="0d02">Read other people’s success stories. Every successful writer started with nothing, just like you did. And a lot of them love sharing their wisdom with the newbies.</p><p id="a331">And then you have to write. A lot. You have to learn what works for you and what doesn’t. And slowly but surely you’ll start building an audience. An audience of people that are with you because they want to see more of your work and not because they felt obligated by the digital etiquette to follow you back.</p><h1 id="4b11">Final thought</h1><p id="81b8">From all the success stories that I’ve read and everything I’ve learned about the platform, I can tell that successful writers are not hackers. They are people that put their time and energy into writing. Not once have I seen a piece of advice from a well-established writer that would suggest focusing on numbers. So please don’t waste your precious time on that. Learn the rules and play by them.</p></article></body>

Please Don’t Follow Me Just So I Follow You Back

Do this instead

You are an aspiring writer, just like I am. I get it. You want to grow an audience and maybe even make writing your full-time job. You fantasize about thousands of people reading what you have to say and being able to pay your bills with your words one day.

You want people to see your work. You want them to read it, like it, hate it, support your thoughts, or disagree with them. You want to start a conversation, and you want someone to engage in it.

But there is something you’re doing wrong.

You are focusing on numbers and not on your writing.

I’m not an expert here on medium. I started writing on the platform a little over a month ago. As I’m writing this, I have published six articles. So I’m in no place to give you any writing advice.

But one thing I know for sure. Follow for follow game does not work.

And I think most writers will agree. There is nothing worse for a writer, especially when you are just starting out, than getting a new person following your work, checking their profile, and seeing that they are following five thousand people. I don’t think you can read that much.

And a quick look at their follower count and the engagement on their articles says that it is not working. How many people are following back? Five percent? Ten?

I don’t know if you’re paying for some kind of tool or doing it manually, but it is not worth the money or time you’re putting in.

You can’t buy relationships. At least normal ones that will make you feel good. And to build an audience, you have to build a relationship with your readers — every single one of them. You can’t trick people into following you and think that once they click on that follow button, they will be reading and loving every piece that you put out.

Good relationships take time, and really good ones take a lot of it. Be patient. You’ll get there eventually. But please don’t waste your time on useless tricks.

What to do instead

Instead of focusing your energy and time on numbers, you should focus on the only thing that matters right now — your writing.

Don’t try to hack your way into the writing world. There is no secret method that will get you what you want without putting work into your writing. As a new writer, there are so many things for you to learn.

Push yourself to understand the platform.

Read all the guidelines you can find, and when you finish reading, reread them. Learn how to edit your stories properly, how to pick a proper title and subtitle, and how to write a successful pitch.

Read other people’s success stories. Every successful writer started with nothing, just like you did. And a lot of them love sharing their wisdom with the newbies.

And then you have to write. A lot. You have to learn what works for you and what doesn’t. And slowly but surely you’ll start building an audience. An audience of people that are with you because they want to see more of your work and not because they felt obligated by the digital etiquette to follow you back.

Final thought

From all the success stories that I’ve read and everything I’ve learned about the platform, I can tell that successful writers are not hackers. They are people that put their time and energy into writing. Not once have I seen a piece of advice from a well-established writer that would suggest focusing on numbers. So please don’t waste your precious time on that. Learn the rules and play by them.