MEDIUM

Why Aren’t People Following Medium Writers Like They Were Before?

It’s really easy to hit the follow button — so why aren’t people doing it?

Some of you reading this may be new to the Medium platform, either as a reader, a writer, or both. I have been here for a year and a half and when you use a platform as frequently as I use this one — you begin to notice things. Recently, I have noticed a trend that is worrisome. Well, a few trends. As a seasoned writer here, I feel obligated to address these concerns and implore new Medium readers and writers to elicit change, in a way that benefits us all.

Last year on October 28th, 2019, Medium rolled out drastic changes to the Medium Partner Program, which affected a lot of writers here regarding how their stories are evaluated for earnings. Many were happy about the changes — and many were not. Since these changes have taken place, Medium readership and participation has changed, quite a bit.

When I first began writing on this platform, this is what I recall:

• A general excitement over medium earnings, curation, writing regularly.
• A hunger for meeting new writers, engaging with content, and learning about how to achieve success here on the Medium platform.
• Lots of new people coming in — newbies seemed to be everywhere!
• Growth — both with individuals, publications, and the spin-off Facebook groups.

Since the MPP changes, of course, there was the initial reaction from writers (especially the super-perturbed short-fiction and poetry writers who felt the new system was rigged against them). Once the buzz settled, writers, for the most part, continued to do what it is that they do — cautiously watching to see what would happen to participation and their earnings.

I think it is safe to say we can all see how our own individual earnings have been affected — some for the good, some not. There are even less people earning $100.00 a month (the 5.4%). I am lucky to have stayed above this margin, but I had much higher hopes for my earnings here.(I am just NOW exceeding where I was financially when the change occurred and my earnings dropped by half.)

So, the new trends I have noticed? Perhaps you have made the same observations?

• Those little green circles around profile pictures seem to be disappearing, indicating less people are opting to become paying members, and/or people are opting out of their previous paid memberships.
• Readership and engagement are more narrowed — the loyal readers and fans are the readers. Less new readership for my articles and poems across all topics.
• People are not following my publications at the same rate.
• And perhaps the most alarming to me — people aren’t hitting the follow button as easily to follow my profile.

Regarding “following”

When I first joined Medium, new followership was consistent, frequent, and dominated my notifications. Recently, the decline in new followership is so noticeable, I am certain it is not just me. Let me give you an example.

Dr Mehmet Yildiz is the creator of one of the fastest growing publications here on Medium. Yet, his personal profile has only 3.3K followers. One would think that a large portion of these new publication followers would seek out and follow the editor/creator of the publication. I think it common courtesy, honestly.

When I first began writing for Medium, editors of large publications had large followings. It makes sense to me that if you write for a publication, you would want to follow the owner of the publication. When I saw the followership discrepancy on his profile (and I think it has nothing to do with the quality of content) it solidified my thoughts that followership, in general, is down. (Sorry Dr. Yildiz — noticing this discrepancy on your page was the perfect example — not to call attention to ANY shortcoming on your part.)

People simply aren’t hitting the “follow” button like they used to — and it begs me to contemplate why.

Daily I receive clapping, highlighting, and commenting notifications — but for the vast majority of the new readers — they are enjoying my content, but not selecting to follow my work. Why is this happening? Is this something other writers are experiencing? Are new Medium readers and writers being more selective?

And one theory I give great consideration to — Is social media angst settling in on this platform and showing a general need for people to simplify or to stay at a “non-committed distance?” This pandemic (Covid-19 of 2020) has affected us all and that includes our browsing habits.

I am still keeping my finger on the pulse of a constantly changing flow of readers, reader interests and behaviors, but this one has me a bit baffled. One can understand the suspected drop in membership after MPP changed last year — but if you want to know the factual membership data, it’s a real mystery. (This article covers some of the speculative numbers and some information regarding Medium search engine rankings.) While yet another Medium pivot in how their business model is handled, with a drive toward drawing in outside membership, I am seeing little to have lifted the current writers on the platform. As with the other past changes, sink — or learn to swim.

And I am getting an excellent form, treading water, perfecting my butterfly stroke here. It’s exhausting (but, I love it.) Only I wonder about the long term sustainability of a platform rooted in followership — when followership is waning and people are slipping quietly from the platform to pursue other avenues of writing. Sure, the pandemic job losses have brought an influx of new writers hoping to pad their income, but likely these will not commit unless MPP impresses them to do so.

We are left, again, with the loyal readers and fans — of which I have many and am SO thankful — but new membership coming in is the oil that keeps these cogs turning and the system running smoothly. I do what I can to drive membership amongst family and friends — I even wrote this.

But it is all for naught if people avoid that little green FOLLOW button.

Regardless of MPP… Regardless of what brings people to Medium to read and/or write…

It’s simple:

If you appreciate a writer’s work, their voice, their message, their topics of writing, their style — hit the magic “follow” button. It is the ultimate show of support and their work may appear in your reader’s home page so that you can see their latest or distributed work.

I feel like this is the new “hey newbies — you know you can clap up to 50 times right?”

And by all means, if you write for a publication, follow the editors! They work awfully hard to give you a successful publication to which you can publish. They spend time with your work and they don’t get paid for their services. They do it to make their mark here on Medium, and generally because they love helping other writers achieve success. So show them a little support.

Thank you for reading my thoughts today. Perhaps your experience has been different but I think the transparency here my help another confused medium writer to put some pieces together or feel a bit less alone. I welcome your thoughts in the comments.

Christina M. Ward is a dedicated Medium writer, the owner of 3 Medium publications, the creator of The POM group on FB and Medium, and a freelance writer and editor. Medium is a large portion of her workday and she loves the atmosphere, the people, and the opportunity to share her work here.

And she’s hoping things pick up…