As I was preparing my first post on Medium (which I wrote on Regulatory Buddy) few weeks ago, I noticed that there is “first 100 followers” kind of movement going on in this space.
As a result, many writers in their articles suggested their fellow writers to follow them in return of the favor to get to 100 followers as soon as possible. Reason behind this frenzy is that one can start earning money from Medium content once you reach 100 followers. While this is a great incentive for writers, I believe in not rushing to get to first 100 followers just by following someone so that they can follow you back.
Having 100 True followers that love your writing is better than 100 followers who follow you for the sake of returning a favor.
Here are three reasons why I am not in a rush and you too should not:
- Creators should create for “Love of the craft” and not for money: To some writers, writing is a hobby. To some other writers, it is their passion and it is career to some. What is common for all the writers is the “Love” of writing. I believe in beginning with that. Money, if it has to follow, will follow when time comes. This is true not only for “Medium” platform, but for any creative platform.
- “Organic” following trumps “returning the favour” following: Is there ever an incidence where you read a book or watched a movie and loved it so much that you recommended it to someone else. This is exactly what happens with organic following. They are your “True” followers. They carry your message forward by sharing with others or by providing you feedback which will help you grow. They relate to you and treat you like one of their own. Organic following may be slow, but it will explode at some point if you are consistent and doing your craft well. People following you for the sake of following may not read every post of yours.
- You would not earn the money you imagined: Let us be honest, we envision that we earn significant side income that will pay our bills, but the money that you are going to make immediately after you get 100 followers may not even buy you a cup of coffee. I understand that everyone has to begin somewhere, but why not be patient and let your following explode steadily vs Peak too quickly and then fizzle.
To tell the truth, I do not know much about monetization on Medium. I can only imagine that Medium wants writers to post more content frequently so that you get more followers quickly. More content you write, more visibility you have and more visibility means more reach. More reach could translate to more followers.
But that doesn’t mean that you have to rush to get followers for the sake of following.
WRITE FOR THE “LOVE” OF WRITING
