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I’m Going to Follow 5,000 People at Absolute Random Because rEcIpRoCiTy
Well, it happened. I’ve finally reached my boiling point. I’m going to become the Medium user that I’ve written multiple articles making fun of. But at least I’m going to do it with humor.
For as long as I’ve been on Medium, it’s been clear that reciprocity is a large element of success on here. Of course there are other elements at play. It’s important to be consistent and not let weeks and months go by between published articles. I’ve certainly experienced some hits to my statistics when I’ve taken off even just a few days.
It’s important to actually publish good content that’s fairly unique. At least that’s what some of the Youtube videos I’ve watched on the subject have argued. But I’ve begun to have my doubts. I think that reciprocity is paramount here on Medium. I think now that arbitrary clapping and following is more important to success than any amount of excellence or uniqueness could ever be.
Even some of the most famous writers on Medium, like Youtuber Zulie Rane, have admitted to relying on this element of reciprocity in Medium on their pathway to success. If even the Zulie Ranes of Medium are following people at absolute random, maybe there’s something to the method.