Compassionate Criticism

Communication starts with you.

Have you heard of COAT-TAIL STAR FUCKING (CTSF)? This is a nuanced strategy where you creatively reply to a Medium writer with a K next to the number of followers of their blog. The only reason I found you is because you replied to, Jonas Ellison. He is one of the few heavily followed people that I do follow. All the other prolific people show up in my inbox because of the algorithms set up by Medium. I don’t have to follow them so I don’t.

I’m not sure if you have found the umteenth article dedicated to explaining some of the nuances of social media. The top suggestion in the articles is not, “be a better writer” it is, FOLLOW PEOPLE AND COMMENT. This is how people find you. Being a dedicated blogger is important, but since nobody knows you from Eve, it’s on you to make people know you.

I have looked up and down your profile page, and there is one big difference from some of the people getting more followers. I count exactly three comments made in the entire time you have been on Medium. I have been on here for an identical amount of time, and I have about three times as many followers. I also have so many comments on my profile page that it can be difficult to find my original posts.

Helpful suggestion number two is, use other social media to promote yourself. But that still will get you to suggestion number one, be involved with other people first.

Much further down in the game to get more followers is, be a better writer. This is why I have responded to this post in particular. Your writing is without life. I falls on the page with a thud like a wet turd. It reeks of platitudes, tropes, and formulas. I feel like I am reading a fifth grade report about an assigned topic. People want to know — why you are writing about what you are writing — through your voice. You do not have a voice. Style is completely missing.

Grammar, and misspelling comes up way too often. Misspelling is unforgivable because you have this box you are typing into that corrects everything. I came here knowing I had to improve. I read, and read, and read, and keep reading. I have found writers on here that make me cry they are so amazing. I have seen improvement in myself, and others over these few short months. That is exciting. That keeps me coming back.

I wouldn’t suggest deleting your posts, and leaving Medium forever. I would suggest giving up on writing “helpful hint” articles. You do it so badly one can only view it as formulaic. Write about something you truly know about from your heart. Breath from your heart.

I look forward to hearing from you in your next piece.

I leave you with this amazing writer. She doesn’t have tons of Medium followers, but she has other blogs. She has style and a vision that is her’s alone. You will want to read everything just to learn more about being a better writer. She is clearly an expert.