Chapter 1: Understanding the 30-Second Rule

When you first see the title, you might wonder what it means—could it be a gimmick? Not quite. One of my weaknesses as a writer is my tendency to be overly precise and factual. This can hinder my creativity in fiction, as my imagination often collides with reality. But let's focus on the real issue at hand.

To be transparent, the concept discussed here—the 30-second rule—wasn't initially my idea. However, after learning about it, I feel compelled to share it. Many may not know about this guideline, and I think it’s crucial to spread the word.

Have you heard about Medium’s criteria for article payments? I recently delved into this topic and discovered that it has been in place since August 2023. In essence, a "view" is counted as a "read" only if the reader engages with the article for at least 30 seconds. If the time spent is less, the writer receives no compensation. What a disappointment!

Did you realize that you can give up to 50 claps? It took me nearly a month on Medium to uncover this fact. Even then, I didn’t grasp its full significance. On the last day of the year, I came across several articles by a Medium author and found myself pondering: If I appreciated their work, why limit my applause to just 1, 5, or 10 when I could give a full 50?

I can't explain why I did that in the past, but I now understand the importance of showing support. Moving forward, I intend to utilize the opportunity to applaud every story I enjoy with the maximum of 50 claps.

Did you know that leaving a comment can provide valuable encouragement to the author? I'm sure you have felt a rush of excitement when someone commented on your work. Each of us finds something distinct in every article—the tone, insights, data, or even the poetic elements. Since we all express ourselves through writing, sharing our thoughts with the author shouldn’t be too challenging.

We exist in a community of writers, all eager to support one another, even if we’re compensated just a few cents per story. Why not engage in the most positive manner possible? When I’m reading on Medium, I ensure that every moment counts—not only for myself but for my fellow authors as well. As writers, we seek recognition, but we must first acknowledge others. From now on, when I read a story, I will spend those 30 seconds to applaud, comment, and hope for reciprocation. I aim to embody the 30-1-50 principle:

30 seconds—1 comment—50 claps.

As readers, we gain numerous benefits: we forge interesting connections with fellow writers, learn new information, and offer meaningful attention to those who pour their hearts into their writing, just as we all do.

Now, let me explain the hook mentioned in the title. Think of the moment you check if your lottery ticket is a winner. You take it to a retailer and use a ticket checker. You slide the ticket code into the machine and await the flickering message on the screen, hoping for good news.

But often, it reads: Sorry — not a winner.

This means you've won nothing.

The same applies to our stories unless we utilize the lucky numbers 30-1-50. To ensure your visit counts for the writer, spend 30 seconds reading. To connect with other authors, leave 1 comment. And to show complete appreciation, give a maximum of 50 claps.

It seems clear now, right? 30-1-50.

Personally, every time I share a new piece, I check for likes and comments. When I see none, it feels as disappointing as getting a "Sorry — not a winner." Out of 66 readers for my story, only 22 engaged for the full 30 seconds, meaning I was compensated for only those readings.

Chapter 2: The Power of Numbers

The first video discusses the significance of "lucky numbers" and how they can influence your mindset in writing and reading.

The second video showcases a $5 winning streak with Florida Lottery scratch tickets, emphasizing the excitement of chance and reward.

Additionally, I enjoy playing with numbers, so let's add them together: 50, 1, and 30.

50 + 1 + 30 = 81

8 + 1 = 9

In numerology, the number 9 symbolizes selflessness and compassion. Isn’t that insightful?

Wishing you a Happy New Year!