I do not use any techniques as I am not focused on money-making side of my Medium stories. I'm not saying I don't care about it, but it is not why I'm here. I stay for more than 30 sec and engage with the stories I'm genuinely interested in, while the reasons might be very different. It might be some practical info or emotional resonance, or life-lesson relevance. And I do the same things in my in stories: I write about things that move me emotionally, or I care deeply about, or I know very well and want to share with others, etc. I know that for many Medium remembers the money-making side of it is very important, and I respect that, so I try to "play by the rules", as much as I know them (I'm still learning).

I think this article is very well written as it proves all the points you are making here: readers (incl me:-) do stay here for more than 30 seconds, clap, highlight and comment. Great job!! 👍And besides that, the images are terrific :-)