Please, Don't Just Like Me - and never read what I have to say

Striking the Writer's Nerve - A Soapbox Article ...

Photo by Yoav Hornung on Unsplash

I read a piece on LinkedIn recently that addressed the practice of liking what someone took the time to write without ever reading it.

It struck a nerve. Actually, it has become a “pet peeve”.

If you are a writer who has put a lot of effort into your articles, I’m sure this bothers you as well.

And, hopefully, you don’t practice this with your fellow writers.

But first …

The title for this piece was inspired by a recent longer article I wrote that someone “Liked” within a minute, so I know that they did not read it.

For some reason, the song that Patty Duke (yes, I’m that old) sang called, Don’t Just Stand There came to mind.

So, I rewrote the lyrics to express my feelings about “Liking” but not reading articles. Try listening to the music once so you’ll get the flow and tempo.

Please, Don’t Just Like Me

Please, don't just like me
When you never read what I have to say
Please don't just like me
And then go on your merry way

When you don't take time to read my lines
And just hit like to say they’re fine
If you don't take time to comment here
It tells me you're not real sincere
So, I don't, don't know
What's on your mind.

Please, don't just like me
And never read what I have to say Just unsubscribe if we're through
Or, you could just read me
And learn something when you do.

I don't want to play the game I'll understand if you feel the same Not everything is my cup of tea So, if you leave, I’ll know it's not just me.

When you don't take time to read my lines
and just hit like to say they’re fine
If you don't take time to comment here
It tells me you're not real sincere
So, I don't, don't know
What's on your mind.

Writers like to be read.

I think you would agree that not getting likes is better than getting likes from someone who has not read what you wrote.

I confess.

I have been guilty of this. Particularly on social media.

However, now that I am writing/posting on Substack almost every day, my practice has changed.

My sincere goal is to only like and/or comment after I have completely read an article. If I don’t have time or the subject matter is not interesting to me, I don’t click the like icon.

I would expect the same for what I write.

When we write a long article and someone clicks “Like” within a minute or two, you know they have not read it.

I get that not everyone is as interested in the spiritual aspect of personal transformation that I write about, or that some of what I write is more attractive than other pieces.

But, let’s all be sincere and save our likes for what we actually read. And, when possible, try to leave a comment that lets the writer know that you read and appreciated the article.

It should be a common courtesy.

The LinkedIn article gives four examples of why this happens:

• Some like and intend to read later. Most never do.

• Many click like because the headline is catchy, the subject looks interesting, and the image is attractive (A good practice, no matter what). But that’s as far as they get.

• Others like and share with someone else in mind that they think would benefit, but still never read it themselves.

• And still, others narcissistically like and share to express and draw attention to themselves.

To be clear, a more sincere and honest approach is to only “Like” what you’ve actually read.

And then try to comment.

Comments mean more to writers than Likes anyway because they show engagement and conversation.

Comments also contribute to growing a subscriber list.

If this has struck your nerve as well, please feel free to share and cross-post to your audience.

End of Soapbox …