Why You Should Avoid the Follow-for-Follow Strategy on Medium
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Follow-for-Follow Method
When I first started on Medium, I was eager to grow my subscriber count swiftly. Seeing my stories go unread can be disheartening. In my search for solutions, I stumbled upon the follow-for-follow strategy. This method involves a few simple steps: follow as many users as you can, wait for them to reciprocate, and repeat the process.
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Section 1.1: The Problem with Ghost Followers
"Ghost followers," as I refer to them, are individuals who follow you but never engage with your content. While you might think a larger follower count translates to more reads, this is only true if your audience is genuinely interested in your work. If followers merely return the favor out of obligation, they won’t contribute to meaningful engagement.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Nature of Subscriptions
When someone subscribes to your profile, it can feel like a friendly gesture. However, my view is different. If someone follows me, I appreciate it, but I won’t necessarily subscribe back unless their content genuinely interests me.
Section 1.2: Algorithmic Impacts
If you follow too many accounts, Medium's algorithm may struggle to identify what content you find engaging. Consequently, your feed could become cluttered with irrelevant posts, making it harder for you to discover quality articles that resonate with your interests.
Chapter 2: The Reality of Follower Counts
While the quantity of followers might seem important, it isn’t as crucial as you may believe. Your follower count does not directly influence your earnings on Medium; rather, your income is determined by the engagement your content receives from an interested audience. Relying on sheer numbers can lead to disappointment when the reality is that you may end up with more followers than actual readers.
Should you use the Follow Unfollow Method on Instagram to grow your followers as a Business or Brand? This video provides insights into the effectiveness and ethics of such tactics.
If you focus on producing quality content, followers will naturally come. It’s essential to be patient and not squander your time on arbitrary follow-backs. By concentrating on your writing, you’ll attract authentic followers who are genuinely interested in your stories.
Unfortunately, many new Medium users rush to achieve 100 followers as quickly as possible. It's vital to understand that this milestone won’t dramatically change your experience. As I’ve illustrated, resorting to follow-for-follow can be even more detrimental than having no followers at all.
I reached 100 followers in just a month without engaging in follow-for-follow tactics, which proves that it is entirely achievable for anyone willing to focus on their craft.
Be patient; your dedication will yield results!
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You don't need to follow back on Instagram. This video discusses the benefits of selective following and how it can enhance your Instagram experience.