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Mastering the Art of Gaining 100 Followers on Medium

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Chapter 1: Introduction to Follower Acquisition

This guide addresses the following questions: Why should I track follower statistics? What insights can you gain from my experience?

Graph depicting follower growth and engagement strategies

Background

This article is the third installment in a series focused on achieving the milestone of 100 followers. The preceding parts are: "How I Reached 100 Followers in Less than a Month" and "100 Followers: How I Developed an Effective Strategy."

In 2022, I embarked on my journey as a writer on Medium, sharing numerous articles across Medium and Substack, which garnered some initial followers. However, after two months, I felt dissatisfied with my progress and struggled to find my unique voice. In a moment of frustration, I decided to delete all my previous work.

By January 2023, I had clarified my audience, message, and writing style. With a revamped profile and About page, I was ready to start anew. Shortly after, I received an invitation from Sinem Günel to participate in her 5-day Online Writing Challenge (OWC), which came at the perfect time to reignite my motivation.

Chapter 2: Online Writing Challenge Insights

The OWC commenced on January 23, 2023. Initially, I had five followers from my earlier attempts and aimed to build on that foundation to reach the coveted 100 followers and gain entry into the Medium Partner Program (MPP). The course provided valuable lessons about writing on Medium and encouraged interaction with fellow writers.

One of the challenges involved adding my information to a Google Sheet with all participants and exploring their profiles to connect with relatable writers. Upon adding my details, I was placed 85th on the list. As I scanned the list, the realization struck me: I should follow all the other participants.

Why Track Follower Statistics?

Traditional wisdom suggests a straightforward path: Plan, Execute, and Assess Results. However, I believe there's a crucial element often overlooked: the need for a feedback loop in your process. Learning from experience is essential; it's how we grow.

The first video discusses the misapplication of statistics in everyday life, illustrating the importance of understanding data in decision-making.

The OWC group comprised 151 participants by the time I recognized the need to follow others. I diligently followed everyone on the list and monitored the sheet for new entries. During those 19 days, I gained 46 additional followers, bringing me halfway to my goal.

However, as the initial surge slowed, I needed a new plan.

Chapter 3: Analyzing Feedback for Improvement

The data illustrated a classic sales funnel: a large input resulting in a smaller output. After following 181 writers, my response rate was 25.41%. To reach my target of 100 followers, I would need to follow approximately 193 more writers based on this ratio.

A New Strategy

I stumbled upon an article suggesting that following writers without expecting a return could be advantageous. This perspective aligns closely with the principles of marketing—it's all about the numbers.

Medium restricts users to following 150 writers daily. As such, I devised a plan to follow the maximum number every other day, allowing me to associate my actions with the results more clearly.

With newfound confidence from the OWC, I resumed writing and publishing articles.

The second video covers the significance of understanding statistics in a TEDTalk, emphasizing analytical thinking in writing.

Results of the New Plan

As shown in my tracking, after implementing my new plan, I achieved 98 followers by February 14. I could have paused, but my cautious nature compelled me to continue. Luckily, I surpassed the 100-follower mark just two days later.

By February 16, I had gained a total of 103 followers in 25 days, after accounting for my initial five followers. The new column for "Unsolicited Count" reflected followers who chose to engage with my articles without my direct pursuit.

The Long Tail Effect

After halting my active following strategy on February 18, I continued to gain followers organically, receiving an additional 12 by March 1.

Chapter 4: Insights and Takeaways

Tracking follows and returns provided valuable feedback on my strategy's effectiveness. Key insights include:

  1. Response Rate Variance: My response rate was significantly higher with the OWC group (25.41%) compared to a random selection of Medium writers (10.71%). The OWC group was more receptive as they were encouraged to build connections.
  2. Understanding Human Nature: People often hesitate to follow back. Factors such as perceived effort, experience level, and engagement can affect their willingness.
  3. Sympathy Follows: Less experienced writers with fewer followers may receive "sympathy" follows, which can dwindle as your follower count increases.
  4. Unique Experiences: Each individual's results will vary due to different circumstances and approaches.

Conclusion: Strategies for Success

  • It's a Numbers Game: Expecting no immediate returns can lead to pleasant surprises.
  • Engage with a Warm Market: Focus on publications that align with your interests for better results.
  • Optimize Your Profile: Ensure your Profile and About pages are polished and informative.
  • Focus on Writing: Remember, accumulating followers is a milestone, not the primary goal. Prioritize quality content.

By following these strategies, you can effectively navigate your journey toward acquiring 100 followers on Medium.

Be Cynical,

GBPS

For any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment or reach out to me at public at garybozek dot com. If you're inspired to track your own statistics, bookmark this link to share your findings in the comments.

I wish you the best in your quest for the elusive 100 followers milestone.

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