Why I Decided to Unfollow Writers on Medium
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Chapter 1: Understanding My Unfollowing Choices
When I first began my journey on Medium, I followed every user who followed me, believing it was a fair approach that might increase my earnings. However, as time passed, I realized that the content in my feed no longer captured my interest. My primary reason for being on Medium is to discover engaging articles and share my own writing. While social connections with fellow writers are valuable, financial gain is not my main focus. Consequently, I decided to unfollow several users and reflected on what influenced my preferences in writing.
Section 1.1: The Challenge of Impersonal Content
I seek insights into the author's personal thoughts and experiences. I've heard that some editors will often remove a journalist's work until it begins with a personal anecdote, like “That brings to mind a time when…” A fellow Medium author suggested a beneficial format for articles: Objective > Subjective > Takeaways, meaning that you should first present the facts, then share your perspective, and finally offer insights for others. Personally, I gravitate towards personal essays rather than straightforward news articles.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Issue with Dense Text
Long, unbroken paragraphs can be daunting and make reading feel laborious. It's essential to remember that words are images, and text with plenty of spacing is much more inviting. I prefer concise sentences with ample spacing, as well as the inclusion of bold subheadings, pull quotes, and bullet points to enhance clarity.
Section 1.2: The Rise of AI in Writing
I've experimented with AI tools like ChatGPT for various writing tasks. While they can assist in structuring narratives, it's becoming increasingly easy to distinguish AI-generated content from that of genuine authors.
Chapter 2: What Draws Me to Certain Writers
The first video titled "How to UNFOLLOW on MEDIUM?" discusses strategies for curating your Medium experience by managing your follows effectively, ensuring you engage with content that resonates with you.
The second video, "How to follow or unfollow a topic on Medium?" provides insights into navigating Medium's topic following system, allowing users to refine their reading preferences.
Personal Perspectives Matter
One of the most recent writers I followed shared their experiences living in Ukraine, vividly describing their surroundings and addressing common misconceptions held by Americans. This personal perspective offers a depth that mainstream media often overlooks.
Short and Memorable Names
I appreciate authors who use short, distinctive names that are easy to remember, regardless of whether they are pen names. I too utilize a pen name to mitigate any potential conflicts with clients.
Engaging Interaction
I truly value writers who take the time to comment on my pieces, as it serves as a meaningful acknowledgment. Unfortunately, few people know how to engage in this way.
In conclusion, I tend to unfollow individuals who produce impersonal content filled with dense paragraphs. Instead, I prefer those who express their viewpoints in clear, concise writing while using a short and memorable pen name. If you embody these qualities, I would be more than happy to follow you!