The Plague of Writers Using You

I was one of these writers I want to do better in 2024

At the end of 2023, I did an online marketing course by a reasonably well-known writer that changed my outlook on the writing community. 

Who the author was is not relevant. This isn’t the first time I have heard the same thing; many courses I have done suggest the same technique. 

Follow others 

To grow a following anywhere, you have to interact with others. That is the advice regardless of what platform you are trying to grow on. 

For example, it is suggested that you should comment on other writers work. Follow big accounts, comment there, and others will follow you. 

Do this consistently; a portion will read your work and follow you back. 

My problem 

After eight years of writing, that is the advice I have a problem with. It hit me after all these years how inauthentic this is. 

You are reading the work of others so they will read yours, not because you value what they say. 

Comment on their work to gain followers, not because you genuinely want to start a conversation with that person. 

Is it just me who sees the problem with this? 

You’re not building a relationship because you want to but rather so that person follows you and ultimately buys your products. 

You have heard this a hundred times before, I am sure. I have even written articles suggesting the same thing. 

Well, I’m not doing it anymore. 

Maybe it is different for me. The one lesson I took from 2023 was to write for the passion, not the pounds. This is the next step. 

So know that from now on, if I comment on your work, it’s because I loved what you said. If I interact with you on social media, it’s because I like your content, not to gain followers. 

I am following people I enjoy, not those who might help me gain. 

If more people do this in 2024, we might have a chance at making the writing community a real community rather than a place of take. 

You have control over your own thoughts and actions, but not over the thoughts and actions of others. When you control your thoughts, you control your destiny - Epictetus