I Wrote Schlock and Got Called Out for It
Thanks, Medium community, for keeping me honest.
It only took me a week of writing for Medium to succumb to the “get views at any cost” mentality. I joined Medium to have an opportunity to share the type of writing I’ve always wanted to do — insightful, intelligent, well-written articles that inspire reflection and action. I believe my initial articles meet these criteria. My most recent article, in contrast, is the result of me getting pulled into Medium’s self-promotional vortex.
By the end of my first week, I had published a schlocky, uninformed article that I didn’t believe in, but knew would get views. Medium readers are a savvy bunch and saw through my flimsy content. The article frustrated readers. I lost a few followers whose interest I had worked so hard to capture (and when you only have 100 or so followers, that feels like a big loss). I’m still trying to regain their trust.
Here’s how one week on Medium turned me from an idealist to a sell-out.
My success became about numbers
As soon as I joined Medium, I read every Medium new writer’s guide I could find. As a social media neophyte in my late 30s who missed the boat on Twitter and Instagram, I was determined to start Medium off on the right foot. The guides…
