# Unveiling the Key to Medium Success: Engaging with Others Pays Off
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Chapter 1: The Importance of Community Engagement
In my pursuit of improvement, I've made a concerted effort to interact more with the Medium community, rather than just focusing on sharing my own stories. This journey has led me to explore the content of my followers, where I've been actively reading their latest posts and showing appreciation through claps, highlights, and comments.
It's crucial for me to spend more than just a fleeting moment on each article. I want to respect the effort authors put into their work and avoid negatively impacting their read ratios, especially after they've kindly supported mine.
If you’re one of my followers, I assure you I'll eventually get to your stories. However, with so many of you, I prefer to provide meaningful feedback rather than superficial comments like "Great article!"
Section 1.1: Insights from Engaging with Others
Over the last few weeks of immersing myself in reading, I've stumbled upon a fascinating discovery. On the days when I actively comment on fellow writers' pieces, my reading revenue surpasses that of days when I solely focus on publishing my content without engaging with others.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Data Behind Engagement
The statistics support this finding. Each increase in my reach aligns with days dedicated to engaging with others' content, while my own publishing has taken a back seat. Notably, some declines in performance occurred on days I published frequently but neglected to interact with other writers.
Section 1.2: The Power of Reciprocity
When you leave a thoughtful comment on someone else's work, it often piques their interest, leading them to explore your own stories. This phenomenon is rooted in reciprocity—a natural human impulse.
When we receive something, be it a compliment or a gesture of kindness, we are inclined to reciprocate.
Chapter 2: Expanding Your Reach through Engagement
Not only will the authors you comment on visit your profile, but their audience, who shares an appreciation for their writing, will also take notice of your insights. Thus, your investment in community engagement yields far greater returns than you might expect.
In the video titled "How to GROW your audience and income on Medium [FREE Masterclass]", you’ll learn strategies for amplifying your presence on Medium and increasing your earnings through effective engagement.
Additionally, the video "How to Make $1000 per Month Writing Articles on Medium (as a part-time writer)" offers insights on monetizing your writing efforts while balancing a part-time schedule.
Ultimately, the return on investment from dedicating time to be a supportive member of the writing community can yield 3x, 5x, or even 10x the benefits of simply churning out content. This approach is not only practical but also fosters a sense of goodwill within the community.
So, engage genuinely with others. Your contributions will not only help fellow writers gain recognition but will also reward you in unexpected ways. Embrace the spirit of reciprocity, and the community will surely reciprocate.