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Summary

Vocal Media has introduced a new subscription feature to foster community building, allowing readers to follow writers and access their content more easily, with plans to add a comments section soon.

Abstract

Vocal Media has announced the addition of a significant new feature that enables readers to subscribe to their favorite creators, enhancing community engagement on the platform. This subscription functionality is accessible through a new menu option on user profiles, where readers can follow writers and receive updates in a dedicated feed. The update is seen as a response to user feedback calling for improved community features, with the follow function being particularly requested. The new feature is expected to increase writer exposure and potentially boost Vocal Media's user base, as readers who wish to follow creators will need to sign up for an account. Furthermore, Vocal Media has hinted at introducing a comments feature in the coming months, which is anticipated to further enrich the interaction between writers and readers, making the platform more dynamic and engaging.

Opinions

  • The author commends Vocal Media for actively listening to user feedback and implementing requested features, such as the subscription function, which was identified as a key missing element.
  • The author believes that the new subscription feature is simple yet powerful, offering advantages like increased writer exposure and the potential for more Vocal Media sign-ups.
  • The anticipation of the upcoming comments feature is viewed positively, as it is expected to enhance the platform's engagement for both writers and readers.
  • The author expresses personal support for the new features and invites readers to subscribe to their posts, as well as to consider a Medium membership to support writers and potentially earn money through their own writing.

Vocal Media Has Just Added One Key Feature For Community Building

And there will be more

Screenshot by author

My third story about Vocal Media in about two weeks. Who would have thought that?

This time, it’s a great update though. And just the start of a few more coming in the near future.

Listening to feedback

I’ve got to give major props to Vocal Media for listening to user feedback. One of the most discussed missing features was undoubtedly the lack of community functionality within their platform.

No, I don’t mean their communities (the pendant to publications here). I’m talking about community building with the audience, the readers. Until now Vocal Media has lacked a follow function.

Follow the game

This is history now. Just this morning as a looked at my Vocal profile, I noticed a new menu option called “Subscription”. This leads to a page with two tabs at the top “Creators” and “Your Feed”. There you’ll find all the creators you follow and the feed with their posts.

Screenshot by author

A simple, yet powerful tool for writers. Now everyone on Vocal who enjoys your stories can follow you with a single click. This has two main advantages.

  1. Firstly, you will get more exposure as a writer. Vocal members will find your stories more quickly and easily.
  2. Secondly, this might lead to more sign-ups for Vocal. Since Vocal pays for external views and lacks a paywall, everyone can read your stories for free. To follow you, however, they’d have to sign up for an account. A win-win situation for Vocal and us, writers.

The future

This is a welcomed and frankly long overdue feature addition by Vocal. I like it. And it’s not all.

Within the coming months, Vocal will also introduce another long-awaited feature on the platform: comments.

Together with subscriptions, this will turn Vocal into a much more engaging platform for writers and readers alike. I love that. How about you?

P.S.: First of all, you should get my posts in your inbox. Do that here! Secondly, if you like to experience Medium yourself, consider supporting me and thousands of other writers by signing up for a membership. It only costs $5 per month, it supports us, writers, greatly, and you have the chance to make money with your writing as well. When I started, I made $3000 in 6 months. By signing up with this link, you’ll support me directly with a portion of your fee, it won’t cost you more. If you do so, thank you a million times!

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