Yes. This ... all this! Do the work. If I click over to your page and there's one article or NO articles (which happens) - well, why would I follow you? OR, what if I click on your profile, find a handful of articles, and they are all.... well, not that great?! Here's the deal: Read, engage, comment, etc. - Genuine engagement gets my attention - then, I'll likely read at least one of your pieces - and if it moves me, I'll clap and comment, too. If you just ask me to follow you, that's a pretty good way to get me to NOT follow you.