Why Don’t You Give Likes?
What’s stopping you from giving likes or comments on a fellow writer’s work?
Imagine this. You have poured all your heart into writing a story. It's not that the story is half bad. The number of views and reads testified to the fact. The exact numbers do not matter. In fact, the numbers do not matter too much. But what’s intriguing is, the fact that there are no likes nor comments at all.
Not that I’m seeking glamour or attention on the world wide web. Not that I take pride in scoring likes on social media like the Gen Z. I don’t particularly blame them. They were born into such a world. Although I must say likes won't hurt.
My angst goes deeper beyond.
Like it or not, Medium is a social media platform. There is no two ways about it.
The question remains.
Why don’t you give a like or comment on the stories you have read on Medium?
If you have read the stories that I have painstakingly written, I want to know. I want to return the favor. I want to know you and your stories. I can’t guarantee that I like what you have written (not because of your skill but more about my preference) but I can guarantee you that I would give some of your stories a try. I would give them the same attention if not more than you have taken on my stories. If I like what I read, I would follow you eagerly on your future stories, genuinely.
Don’t just click on the follow button. I don't know if you just want me to follow back, and that's the only game you are trying to play. I don't even know if you have taken the effort and have given me the respect of reading my stories. I’m not interested in that game.
Medium is as much about writing as community building. I’ve been fortunate enough to know a few genuine souls here that guided me without asking. We’ve been interacting much with our stories. I see them as my life teachers. More still are those that I’ve silently (pun intended) follow closely, people that may not know me by name but I’ve learned a lot and still learning from.
Interact with others. Acknowledge others’ comments on your stories. Likes the comment the writer leaves on your comments on their stories.
I truly believe that when you read someone’s story, they’ll like to return the favor too. I’m pretty sure about this. Just in recent weeks, I realized that there is a geological restriction on the Medium Partner program. I’ve just discovered that some of the writers keep on writing despite being affected. They continued to write and interact with others even though they don't gain anything in monetary form. There is still a speck of hope in this capitalist world.
So please, the next time you've read a story, let the writer know. Like the story. Comment on it. Let it be known. Even if you don't particularly love the story, give it one single like. Make your presence visible.
Don’t come and leave in silence.
If you are of higher moral ground, don’t think of it as giving or returning a favor. Think of it as giving others a chance to discover you and your marvelous writing, a chance of learning something new, seeing things from your perspective. Think of it as self-marketing.
Whatever you do on Medium, don't stop at writing and reading silently.
After all, Medium writing is a numbers game.
