Written by David Sawin, May 13, 2024

Let’s cut to the chase: every Medium writer wants more followers. It’s a metric that seems to validate our work, offering a sense of reach and impact. But in the pursuit of those coveted numbers, it’s easy to forget the people behind the clicks and claps.

Here’s the truth: your readers aren’t just a faceless mass. They’re intelligent, empathetic, and complex individuals, each with their own unique stories, perspectives, and reasons for being here. And recognizing this truth is the key to building a loyal, engaged audience that goes beyond mere numbers. So, the next step is to engage with them on a personal level. Share your own stories, vulnerabilities, and lessons learned. Invite them into your world, and show genuine interest in theirs. This cultivates a community, not just an audience, and transforms passive readers into active participants in an ongoing dialogue. Remember, the strongest connections are built on authenticity and mutual respect.

The Fallacy of the Follower Factory

In today’s digital era, dominated by social media platforms, there’s a prevailing mindset that treats followers almost like a currency. Many of us find ourselves relentlessly pursuing an increase in follower count using tactics that might not be the most genuine or authentic. This pursuit often involves resorting to strategies such as employing catchy, sensational titles that promise more than they can deliver, and making use of hollow promises that are more noise than substance. The underlying idea behind these efforts is to capture attention quickly and convert that into followership.

However, it’s essential to pause and reflect on the actual value that these methods bring. While such tactics might indeed result in a spike in the number of followers in the short term, they usually fail to foster any meaningful or lasting engagement. The followers gained through these means often find themselves disappointed or disinterested over time, as the initial lure that caught their attention fails to offer depth or sustained interest. The reality is that building genuine relationships and engagement with your audience takes more than just clever marketing tricks or superficial allure.

The key takeaway here is to understand that while numbers might seem impressive at a glance, the real measure of social media success lies in meaningful interactions and connections. Engaging content, authenticity, and a genuine desire to connect with and understand your audience are what truly pave the way for a fulfilling and enduring social media presence. This approach not only attracts followers who are genuinely interested in what you have to say but also nurtures a community that values and looks forward to your contributions. In the end, it’s these lasting connections that contribute more significantly to both personal and brand growth on social media platforms, far beyond what any quick-fix strategy could ever accomplish.

Think about it: would you rather have 1,000 followers who skim your headlines and move on, or 100 followers who read your work thoughtfully, share their insights, and become part of a vibrant conversation?

The Power of Genuine Connection

Growing a real, caring community on Medium goes way beyond just looking for quick fixes or clever hacks. It’s all about creating true bonds with your readers. It’s about letting them know you really get them, listen to them, and truly appreciate the fresh viewpoints they bring to the table.

Engaging genuinely in the comments, responding thoughtfully to their insights, encourages a sense of belonging and mutual respect. Furthermore, sharing stories from your own life that resonate with your audience helps to establish you not just as a writer, but as a fellow traveler on life’s journey. This authentic connection fosters a vibrant community where members feel valued and inspired to contribute their own unique perspectives, creating a rich tapestry of shared wisdom and experiences.

Here are a few ways to do that:

Write from the heart: Be the real you, the one and only version of yourself that feels most genuine. Share with the world all the things you hold close to your heart, the challenges you’ve overcome, and all your wins, big or small. It really matters to let folks see the true you. When you share your true thoughts and feelings, it’s like opening your door to friends, inviting them into your world. This way, they can truly connect with you in a meaningful way.

Hey! Chat about what you love with all your heart, open up about the bumps along the road without holding back, and when you achieve something great, share it but stay grounded. This way, we’ll create a stronger bond and encourage a feeling of togetherness and empathy. Showing your true self, warts and all, means getting real and opening up, which makes your story so much more touching and motivating.

Engage in conversation: Jump into the conversation, toss a few questions around, and dive deep into those discussions. Let your readers know that you’re all ears and not just here to talk at them. This does wonders for the vibe of your blog, making it feel more like a welcoming community. Plus, you get to know exactly what your audience loves and what they’re looking for. Showing that you value their opinions and feedback turns casual readers into a dedicated fanbase who feel appreciated and listened to. And remember, a little bit of real talk can go a long way in turning folks who just read your stuff into a lively bunch who actively engage with your content.

Offer value: Hey there! 😊 So, here’s a little piece of advice that might just make your day brighter and someone else’s too. Why not share the cool stuff you know, those little nuggets of wisdom, or the adventures you’ve been on? It’s like giving your readers a little gift of knowledge or inspiration. Think of yourself as that friend who’s always got the best stories and advice, but you’re doing it from the comfort of your own home, through your words.

Let your stories and insights be the bridge that helps people cross from not knowing to knowing something awesome. It’s pretty amazing to think that something you share could really change someone’s day, or even their life, in ways you might not even imagine. So, when you’re putting your thoughts out there, remember to do it with a whole lot of kindness and a big, genuine smile on your face. Who knows? You might just light up the way for someone who’s looking to broaden their horizons.

Respect their time: Craft well-written, thoughtful pieces that respect your readers’ intelligence and attention spans. Take the time to construct pieces that are well-thought-out and eloquently written, showing a deep respect for your readers’ intellect and the amount of attention they are willing to give. It’s important to recognize that your audience is willing to invest their time and mental energy into what you have to say, so in return, you should put serious effort into making your writing clear, engaging, and meaningful.

Hey there! So, you want to write content that really speaks to people, right? Well, the key is crafting pieces that are thoughtful, well-put-together, and show you truly value your audience’s smarts and the time they’re willing to spend with your words. It’s all about realizing that folks are ready to give your ideas some real thought and their precious time. In return, it’s only fair that you put in the effort to make your writing as engaging, clear, and impactful as possible. Trust me, this respect and effort you show in your work will make all the difference.

Build a community: Encourage discussion, collaboration, and connection among your readers. Create a space where they feel seen, heard, and valued. Foster an environment where every voice matters and every opinion is acknowledged. Engage your audience with prompts that challenge and inspire, inviting them to share their experiences, insights, and wisdom. Through fostering this sense of community, your readers will not only find a place where they belong but also a platform where growth, learning, and mutual respect flourish.

The Rewards of a Meaningful Audience

When you prioritize building genuine connections over chasing numbers, you’ll be amazed at the rewards. Your readers will become your biggest advocates, sharing your work, leaving thoughtful comments, and even offering valuable feedback. They’ll challenge you to grow as a writer, push you to explore new ideas, and ultimately, help you create work that truly matters.

And isn’t that what we all want as writers? To connect with others, to make a difference, and to leave a lasting impact with our words?

The Takeaway

Hey there, let’s take a moment and think less about how many followers we have and more about connecting with them on a genuine level. It’s all about appreciating every person in our community for who they are — smart, compassionate, and wonderfully unique.

Our goal? To nurture a space where everyone feels connected, where conversations flow freely, and passions are shared and celebrated.

Remember, it’s not the number of people following us that really matters. It’s about building real, meaningful connections with those people. Keep that in your heart, and everything else will naturally fall into place.

Aswe gently close the pages of this digital journey we’ve embarked on together, I find myself overwhelmed with a deep sense of gratitude toward you, my cherished reader. Your engagement, your willingness to venture through each word and idea, breathes life into the very essence of our shared exploration. It’s in this spirit of heartfelt appreciation that I invite you to partake in a small yet profoundly impactful gesture — a clap, a share, a subscription.

By showing your support in these ways, you do much more than merely boost the visibility of our digital haven. You validate the countless hours poured into weaving words, ideas, and emotions together. You become the wind beneath the wings of this creative endeavor, propelling it to soar to new heights and reach uncharted terrains. Each clap resonates as a note of encouragement, every share extends our conversation to corners unknown, and your subscription? It’s a testament to a bond, a mutual commitment to growth, discovery, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge and beauty in the tapestry of life.

It’s so, so, so important to me — not just as a token of success or recognition, but as a vibrant, living connection between us. This exchange of ideas and emotions doesn’t just fill pages; it builds bridges, opens doors, and enlightens minds. With your support, we journey together, not just as writer and reader, but as fellow travelers in the endless pursuit of understanding and wonder.

So, if these words have touched a chord within you, if our journey has cast a light on previously shadowed paths, I humbly ask for your clap, your share, your subscription. In doing so, you’re not just offering support; you’re igniting a beacon of inspiration, driving us forward, and enriching this shared journey with the invaluable treasure of your engagement.

From the depths of my heart, thank you. Thank you for your time, your openness, and your willingness to journey with me. Together, let’s continue to explore, dream, and discover the boundless wonders that await us.