Matt, I hear you - you cracked me up a few times. I felt the passion in your voice! LOL...

First of all, btw - had not seen your follower count in a while - and you have to be so commended on building a follower number of almost 1000 as quickly as you have. Truly, congrats, at least in my eyes, I think that's awesome! 🥳🥳

I never followed for followed, but if someone read, commented, and followed - I will always reciprocate that behavior. I'm even good at spotting the random clapper, which I don't tknow if they actually read -- and I'll go read something quick and clap, but I won't follow.

My "follow" feed is now nearly perfect -- I get the people I want to read in my follower and for you...I've taught the system what I want. (Do people even realize that the more you hit: show me less of this -- will even correct the ones we don't want???...don't think many are....)

So about two months ago, one month after I began - I had the curiosity you had. I started an "engagement study" -- I love how I come up with this fancy names just for me. 🤣🤪LOL -- anyhoooo

I would read, clap and comment (and like a really engaged comment which is my nature), and make a note of who they were and followers...and true to form as you have said: most of these "big shots" - could care less. I'm "lucky" if they respond - which is often: thank you. LOL -- that's all you are going to get!

I think there's an evolution. I don't think many admit it - but they all started as we did. And about that small number of followers that these big accounts have-- I already hear and see what's happening: once people get the follower number they want, they start deleting who they followed. Something about it doesn't sit well with me - but I get it, some people you initially follow are gone or aren't even supporting you, so it's a cleanout. I've done it - I may have unfollowed 50-80 ...then I got angry at the stupid way our followers are listed and I quit.

I think your secret sauce is dead on -- and add: it's a long-term path for those of us who want to earn a decent amount. I sense you and I want something similar - and you alluded to this...but the truth is at some point, writers are going to start to evolve and pivot.

The one thing that's a goal to my heart that will be very hard for me to stop doing: there's a core of people (yourself included) who helped me get started and showed me love and support when I was petrified -- I cannot and will not ever forget those and I will always support. But I agree -- we don't have the time to keep expanding on that. It isn't a productive use of our time if we want to improve as writers.

Enjoyed your article...and time for me to work on writing all weekend. Thanks for the push!