Guys, you need to comment on the stories that you read.
We need to identify 'you' and return the favor
I just had twenty three (23) reads on my story, with eleven (11) likes, just overnight all within vocal. Happy me.
Now, I am not boasting, it is a small number compared to the success of other lucky creators, but yeah for me.
The reason for writing this however, is that I do not know who you all are. Of the twenty three, (Thank you very much), only three people commented, so I was able to give their stories a read and thank them properly for taking the time. I am not great with technology, so there may be another way to identify who you are, if so, someone please let me know.
Whenever people read my stories and leave comments, I make sure to read a story or two of theirs. I subscribe, I heart, if I really love it, I add insight, and I make sure that I reply to their comments. I subscribe because it allows me to return from time to time to keep reading their stories. It takes time to read stories, there are a lot to go through, so even one story at a time allows us to support each other.
I was even surprised to see a comment from the Vocal team on my story. That was a first for me. Did not know that they did that. Another yeah for me. Every tiny victory helps to build one's confidence.
If we each read one story from every creator, imagine how much we could assist each other to build both our wallets and our self confidence in the pursuit of successful strides in our writing and creative journey. There are a lot of us.
I must admit that I read and comment on many stories and receive no feedback even though I do expect feedback. I am a firm believer in tit for tat that way. It is a bit daunting, because the whole purpose of the Vocal enterprise is to foster creativity, sisterhood, brotherhood and camaraderie within the circle of oneness.
Some of our fellow creators are seriously ill, some are a bit down and out of sorts. In reading and commenting on their stories, I believe it helps to uplift their spirits. It also does wonders for your spirit as well. I have a young person who I follow keenly. I made positive comments all along her journey. She went from obsessive thoughts of depression to having a very positive change in her writing style. Now she has many positive comments and a keen following on her work.
There are a great many of us. Commit to reading at least three to five stories per day. Schedules are rigorous I know, but if we are serious about writing on this platform we all need to support and care about each other. Never mind if you read and comment and receive no feed back, keep going, it takes time and one by one you will get others who are of like minds. I find that if I add "please give mine a read", or "take a quick look at my story", I tend to get a feedback, rather than just leaving it hanging and expecting a read in return.
When you continually read, subscribe and comment, you build a following on Vocal alone. The more media conscious folks have a much wider following on other platforms that enables them lots of reads, I do not have much, but, I am working on it. I have been reading other folks' stories and find that there are many like myself who do not. I am making small strides in that direction while enjoying my creative expressions. I envy the younger folks their savvy in this area.
When I first joined Vocal, I had a proud string of zero reads on my stories, my first unread saplings who waited in vain for someone to read them. I was a bit (maybe greatly) disappointed. I thought every story would be proudly read. But I kept going, got better as time went by, and I am still learning and improving. Some stories receive one (1) read. Even that one gives me hope. I have received a Top Story or few. Still waiting for the big win. Smile. So, yes, there is hope for everyone, we improve with time. I see myself as proof of that.
My best story earned over two thousand, five hundred (2,500) reads. I was totally shocked, I think it was shared from Facebook to where I have no idea. But thanks to all those folks who read it. I was mad at my phone and simply wrote it down. It just took off. To me this is a great achievement, considering that social media terrifies me. Still this is nothing compared to what reads others are racking up out there.
I say it again, if I can do this writing and social media thing, anybody can. Then there are the guys who are really great at it, and do not really need to indulge us small fries in the reading of stories, don't be party poopers and not be open to being a part of the family by reading and commenting on other people's stories.
Teamwork = Success
N.A.
About the Creator
Novel Allen
You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. (Maya Angelou). Genuine accomplishment is not about financial gain, but about dedicating oneself to activities that bring joy and fulfillment.
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Revisiting Vocal's guidelines
We tend to rush through our daily routine, zipping here and there pursuing the usual, following the same route in our quest to squeeze the most out of every pristine and new day. Sometimes we forget to check for the new and updated avenues that get us where we want to go, but in a less breathy and more productive way.
By Novel Allen3 years ago in Motivation
How I earn $100 in a day
There was a time when earning $100 in a single day felt like a fantasy to me. Not a goal — a fantasy. I remember staring at my phone late at night, doing small mental calculations: If I earn $5 today and $10 tomorrow, maybe by the end of the month… Even those numbers weren’t guaranteed. Some days, nothing came in at all. And that silence — the absence of notifications, emails, or messages — was louder than failure. People online love to talk about success like it’s loud and shiny. For me, it was quiet. Heavy. Full of doubt. The day I earned $100 didn’t begin with excitement. It began like every other day: tired eyes, a slow morning, and a question I kept asking myself — Is this even worth it? What kept me going wasn’t motivation. It was necessity. I didn’t suddenly become smarter or more talented. I didn’t discover a secret website or a hidden trick. I simply stopped waiting for the “perfect” moment and started using what I already had. I offered small digital work. Simple things. Work that wouldn’t impress anyone on social media — but work that people genuinely needed. And I did it sincerely. That day, the first payment came in early. It wasn’t big. Just enough to remind me that someone trusted me with their money. That feeling mattered more than the amount. Later, while I was offline, something unexpected happened. A digital product I had created earlier — something I almost didn’t upload because I thought it wasn’t good enough — sold. Then it sold again. I stared at the screen for a few seconds, unsure whether to smile or stay calm. By evening, another small task came my way. Then one more. None of these moments felt dramatic. No fireworks. No victory music. Just quiet confirmations that effort, even imperfect effort, still counts. When I finally added everything together late at night, my heart paused. It crossed $100. I didn’t jump. I didn’t celebrate. I just sat there — still — because for the first time, the number felt real. What hit me hardest wasn’t the money. It was the realization that I had been underestimating myself for a long time. I believed earning like this was reserved for “others” — more confident people, more skilled people, luckier people. That belief was wrong. Earning $100 in a day didn’t change my life instantly. But it changed something inside me. It replaced doubt with proof. And proof is powerful. Now I understand something important: money doesn’t always come from doing big things. Sometimes it comes from doing small things consistently and with sincerity. Some days I still don’t reach $100. Some days are quiet again. But the fear is gone. Because once you know something is possible, it stops being a dream and starts being a process. I no longer wait for motivation. I work, even when I feel unsure. I trust that effort never disappears — it just takes time to show itself. If you’re reading this while feeling stuck, tired, or invisible, I want you to know something honestly: You’re not behind. You’re just early in your story. And one ordinary day — without warning — things can start to add up.
By Shah Fayaz 6 days ago in Motivation
Comments (5)
I just started to write my own stuff and upload. I guess most of my reads are just few friends I sent the link to. But at least they give me feedback (in person though). The last month I read at least 3 stories a day :) I think I'll also leave a comment from now on!
Right down to the point. A community in the making. That's how it works on Clickasnap, a platform for uploading and sharing photos. My photos are viewed, liked and commented on. I in turn view other people's pics, like and leave comments. It goes without saying. Community culture.
Thank you for the recommendation. I’ll have to do this.
I just read my thoughts that you've precisely expressed. Thank You.
Extremely good points but most of my stories have one or two reads and outside of the Vocal Facebook Groups I seldom get any other comments though it is nice when the odd time I do. Your work is interesting so you got a subscription from me