I think your Freeform app story is pretty good honest writing.
On another note, based on my experience, stories often get boosted without any editor being involved or being posted in a publication or a publication with a boosting editor. Just take a look at my Boosted Articles list, you’ll see. I am pretty sure there was an article about this posted by Medium.
Your suggestion of sharing to your followers is not bad, but it could be easily exploited by bad actors.