RECIPROCITY — 3

Why We Need To Engage in Reciprocity

Writers supporting writers despite Medium’s algorithms.

Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash

Lately I have been encouraging my readers to visit the stories of other writers on Medium. Usually these are either my followers or people who write for a publication to which I post a new story. I am doing this as it forces me to connect with others.

I think that we need to embrace this idea as a writers’ community. I have been part of a writers’ community on Twitter and that had nothing to do with reciprocity or engagement. There the community focuses on increasing follower numbers, something that potential publishers and agents feel is vital.

Here on Medium reciprocity is a concept that benefits both parties in various ways, especially financially. Reciprocity helps establish a loyal readership that benefits both. Additionally, there is the likelihood that recommending the writer’s work to others, further increasing the writer’s exposure and earning potential.

Personally, I am trying to rebrand my presence here. I want to be someone who gives as much as he receives, if not more, to people who are on Medium, writing in niches that resonate with my interests. I can’t really expect anyone to read my work if I don’t read theirs as well.