Understanding Your Unfollow Impulses

Before you decide to unfollow someone on Medium, pause for a moment and reconsider your actions. Your finger may be hovering over that unfollow button, but I urge you to read through this article first.

If my words don’t resonate, feel free to mock me in the comments and proceed with your decision. However, what I’m about to share is genuinely significant.

You might be ready to unfollow Mr. 'Willy the Who Knows Who He Is,' and I can guess your motivations. There are typically two straightforward reasons behind this choice, whether it’s one or the other, or perhaps both. But I assure you, your rationale may not hold as much weight as you believe.

1. He’s part of your follow-unfollow experiment.
2. He has ceased engaging with your content.

Avoid the Follow-Unfollow Strategy

First and foremost, steer clear of the follow-unfollow strategy. Sahil Patel penned an insightful article about it, with one of his most impactful lines stating that when your words resonate, there's no need for tricks.

The follow-unfollow tactic is among the least effective strategies you can adopt. If you continue to unfollow people, it won’t be long before they, along with others, notice and begin to exclude you from the community. This can lead to a ripple effect, where writers start discussing your behavior in their articles, creating a narrative that circulates widely.

Prioritize Readers Over Followers

Let’s focus on what truly matters: your readers. If your goal is to monetize your efforts on Medium, it’s consistent readers you should aim for, not fleeting followers. Remember, reads generate income, not mere follower counts.

If you wish to join Medium’s partner program, gathering at least 100 followers is essential. However, achieve this honestly. Writing a candid article about your journey can garner genuine support from fellow writers, just as I experienced a few months back.

Challenge: Gain 100 Followers in 13 Days!

Many writers who backed me during that phase remain connected to me today. But remember: authenticity is crucial.

I encountered a writer recently who solicited followers; I nearly followed him too. Upon reviewing his profile, I was shocked to see he had 167 followers but was only following 3. This behavior is a red flag—he has unfollowed everyone who supported him, and I suspect you wouldn’t want to engage with someone like that either.

Be Patient with Other Writers

If you consider yourself a sincere writer, I encourage you to exercise patience. Allow those you follow to remain on your list a little longer. You may not know what challenges they are facing in their personal lives, and the reality is, you might only learn of it through a future article they publish.

Optimistically, they might be transitioning to a new job, celebrating a marriage, welcoming a new child, or dealing with loss. It’s possible they simply need some time to gather their thoughts and reignite their passion for writing.

Investing significant time and effort into your writing on a platform that offers minimal financial return requires remarkable mental resilience. It’s essential to remind yourself of your love for writing.

So, if a writer you admire is going through a tough phase that you are unaware of, resist the impulse to unfollow them immediately. They may return to writing and engaging with your content sooner than you think.

Choose Kindness

While unfollowing one account may seem insignificant, it can deeply impact the individual whose follower count drops. Choose kindness; the ripple effects of our actions often return to us.

I extend my gratitude to all the wonderful writers who have taken the time to read and comment on my recent articles.

In this video titled "HOW TO GET FOLLOWERS ON MEDIUM: 3 strategies for beginners (these work for veterans, too!)", you'll discover effective strategies for garnering followers on Medium, ensuring you do so authentically.

This video, "FAQs about earning money on Medium - Sundays with Zulie," answers common questions about monetizing your writing on Medium, providing insights that can enhance your experience on the platform.

Thank you for your time and support!

© Sudarsan Karki 2022 All Rights Reserved