How to Grow as a Writer on Medium

EDITORIAL ☎

Medium is a unique online platform that empowers anyone to share their insightful perspectives, valuable knowledge, and life wisdom with a global audience. It is a space that rewards depth, nuance, and thoughtful engagement, supported by a community of Medium members who are aligned with its mission.

Unlike traditional media models that rely on advertising or data monetization, Medium offers a different approach. It is a space for substantive conversation, where the focus is on quality writing and ideas rather than packaging or superficial content. Medium provides a system that values the time and effort invested by its contributors.

Every month, over 100 million people connect and share their wisdom on Medium. This diverse community includes professional writers, CEOs, computer scientists, U.S. presidents, amateur novelists, and anyone with a compelling story to tell. Medium has become a platform that celebrates the power of the written word and the exchange of meaningful insights.

Building a following on Medium is a crucial aspect of maximizing engagement and visibility on the platform. With the recent updates to the Partner Program, earnings are now based on engagement points, which include reading time, claps, highlights, comments, and new followers from a story. This means that followers' engagement directly impacts a writer’s earnings.

Engagement

Followers are important because they are likelier to engage with a writer’s content, leading to higher earnings. When a writer publishes a new post, followers receive a notification, which can result in immediate engagement and potentially more followers. Additionally, the Partner Program now rewards writers for publishing in established publications, which can help attract new followers and increase engagement.

Having a large following also increases the chances of a writer’s content being promoted by Medium’s internal team of editors, known as “Boost,” which can further boost a writer’s earnings. Furthermore, followers can help a writer build a loyal audience, which can lead to more engagement, higher earnings, and potential opportunities for collaboration or partnerships.

Understand Audience

Understanding your audience is crucial for creating content that resonates with them and drives engagement on Medium. By identifying your target audience, you can tailor your content to their interests and needs, leading to higher engagement and visibility on the platform.

To understand your audience on Medium, you can use the platform’s built-in analytics tools. The Stats page provides information about where your audience is coming from and which of your articles are performing well in terms of fan count. By sorting your story stats by fans, you can quickly identify your top-performing articles and see if they have any common themes or genres.

Medium Analytics

Medium’s analytics tools also provide information about your followers, including their location, interests, and gender. This information can help you create content that appeals to your existing audience and attracts new followers who share similar interests.

In addition to Medium’s analytics tools, you can also use Google Analytics to learn more about your audience. Google Analytics provides information about your website visitors, including their age, gender, location, and interests. By analyzing this data, you can gain insights into who your audience is and what they are interested in, which can inform your content creation strategy.

To get the most out of Google Analytics, you can create audience segments based on demographics, interests, and behaviour. This allows you to tailor your content to specific segments of your audience, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.

Create High-Quality Content

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, where information is abundant and competition is fierce, the key to standing out lies in producing high-quality content. Well-crafted, valuable content not only captivates and informs your audience but also establishes your credibility as an authority in your field.

The Art of Captivating Headlines

A compelling headline is the gateway to your content. It’s the first impression that entices readers to delve deeper. Craft headlines that pique curiosity, promise value and accurately reflect the content’s substance. Explore using power words, asking thought-provoking questions, or leveraging numerical lists to grab attention.

Subheadings: Signposts for Seamless Navigation

Subheadings serve as signposts, guiding readers through your content with ease. They break down complex topics into digestible sections, enhancing readability and ensuring a smooth flow of information. Use clear, descriptive subheadings that accurately convey the content of each section, allowing readers to quickly grasp the structure and navigate to their areas of interest.

The Power of Visual Appeal

Incorporating visuals can elevate your content to new heights. Well-chosen images, infographics, or videos can reinforce your message, clarify complex concepts, and add a touch of visual appeal. However, ensure that your visuals are relevant, high-quality, and properly attributed to avoid copyright issues.

Formatting: The Art of Readability

Proper formatting is crucial for ensuring a pleasant reading experience. Employ techniques such as breaking up text into shorter paragraphs, using bullet points or numbered lists for easy scanning, and incorporating white space to prevent overwhelming your readers. Additionally, consider using bold or italic text to emphasize key points, making your content more accessible and engaging.

The Importance of Proofreading and Editing

Even the most well-crafted content can be undermined by careless errors or lack of clarity. Proofreading and editing are essential steps in the content creation process. Carefully review your work for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes, ensuring that your message is conveyed clearly and concisely. Consider seeking feedback from trusted colleagues or peers to gain valuable insights and identify areas for improvement.

Headings & Subheadings

By prioritizing well-written, valuable content and adhering to best practices in headline creation, subheading usage, visual incorporation, formatting, and proofreading, you can create a compelling and engaging experience for your audience. High-quality content not only captivates and informs but also establishes your credibility and fosters long-lasting relationships with your readers.

Consistency is Key

Consistency is key when it comes to building and maintaining an audience on Medium. By posting regularly, you can keep your followers engaged and increase your visibility on the platform.

One of the benefits of posting regularly is that it helps establish you as a reliable source of content. When followers know that they can expect new content from you regularly, they are more likely to engage with your articles and share them with their followers. This can help you build a loyal audience and increase your visibility on the platform.

To create a posting schedule that works for you, start by setting realistic goals for how often you want to post. If you’re just starting, it may be more manageable to post once a week or every other week. As you get more comfortable with the platform and your audience grows, you can increase the frequency of your posts.

Post Appropriately

Once you’ve set a posting schedule, make sure to stick to it. Consistency is key, and missing a scheduled post can lead to a drop in engagement and visibility. If you find that you’re struggling to keep up with your posting schedule, consider scaling back or reevaluating your goals.

In addition to setting a posting schedule, it’s also important to set expectations with your audience. Let them know how often you plan to post and what types of content they can expect from you. This can help build trust and loyalty with your followers, as they know what to expect from you and can rely on your content.

Engage with the Community

Engaging with the Medium community is an essential part of building a loyal following on the platform. By interacting with other writers and readers, you can build genuine connections, increase your visibility, and establish yourself as a valuable member of the community.

One of the best ways to engage with the community is by leaving thoughtful comments on other writers’ stories. When leaving a comment, make sure to add value to the conversation and avoid self-promotion. By providing thoughtful feedback and insights, you can build relationships with other writers and attract new followers.

Show Support

In addition to leaving comments, clapping for other writers’ stories is a great way to show your support and appreciation for their work. Clapping not only shows your appreciation but also helps increase the visibility of the story and can lead to more engagement.

Sharing content is another way to engage with the community and increase your visibility on the platform. When sharing content, make sure to add your thoughts and insights to the post. This can help start a conversation and attract new followers.

When engaging with the community, it’s important to focus on building genuine connections rather than just promoting your work. By building relationships with other writers and readers, you can establish yourself as a valuable member of the community and increase your visibility on the platform.

Use Tags and Keywords Effectively

Tags and keywords play a crucial role in increasing the visibility of your stories on Medium. When you use relevant tags and keywords, you make it easier for readers to find your content through Medium’s search function, as well as through external search engines like Google.

Selection of Tags

When selecting tags for your stories, it’s important to choose ones that are relevant to the content of your story. The medium allows you to use up to five tags per story, so make sure to use all five to maximize your visibility. However, avoid using irrelevant or overly broad tags, as this can lead to your story being buried in a sea of irrelevant content.

Analytical Tools

Medium’s analytics tools can help you understand what your audience is interested in, which can inform your tag selection. By analyzing your story stats, you can see which tags are driving the most traffic to your stories. You can also use external tools like Google Trends to see which tags are currently popular in your niche.

In addition to using relevant tags, it’s also important to incorporate keywords throughout your story. This includes your headline, subheadings, and body text. However, be careful not to overdo it, as this can lead to your story being penalized by Medium’s algorithm.

By using tags and keywords effectively, you can increase the visibility of your stories and attract more readers. This, in turn, can lead to more engagement, more followers, and ultimately, more success on the platform.

Collaborate with Other Writers

Collaborating with other Medium writers can bring numerous benefits, such as improved writing quality, skill development, and personal/professional growth. By working together, you can tap into new opportunities and perspectives, learn from each other, and expand your reach.

To make the most of these partnerships, it’s important to find the right collaboration partners. Look for writers whose skills complement your own and share a common goal. Evaluate communication styles and compatibility to ensure a successful collaboration.

Collaborative projects can take many forms, such as joint projects, group writing sessions, or simply sharing ideas and feedback. By working with others, you can gain a fresh perspective, challenge yourself to think outside the box and create unique and engaging content.

Collaboration can also help you build a network of supportive peers who can offer advice and support. This can be especially valuable in the competitive world of freelance writing.

Tips & Collaboration

In addition to the benefits of collaborating with other writers, there are also tips for finding collaboration opportunities on Medium. Consider guest posting on other writers’ publications, or proposing co-authored pieces. This can help you expand your reach, learn from others, and build relationships within the Medium community.

When collaborating with other writers, it’s important to focus on building genuine connections rather than just promoting your work. By building relationships and supporting each other, you can create a supportive community of writers who can help each other succeed.

Leverage Medium Publications

Leveraging Medium publications can significantly increase the visibility and reach of your content. Publications on Medium are curated collections of articles, often focused on specific topics or themes. By submitting your work to these publications, you can tap into their existing audience and gain exposure to potential new followers.

When selecting publications to submit to, it’s essential to evaluate their relevance and fit for your work. Look for publications that align with your niche or topic area and have a substantial following. You can find publications by using the search bar at the top of the Medium homepage or by exploring the “Publications” section of other articles.

Once you’ve identified potential publications, review their submission guidelines carefully. Each publication has its own set of rules and requirements for submissions, so it’s crucial to follow them closely. Some publications may require exclusive submissions, while others may allow you to publish your work elsewhere.

To increase your chances of getting published, consider building relationships with the editors of the publications you’re interested in. Engage with their content by leaving thoughtful comments, clapping for their stories, and sharing their work on social media. This can help you establish a rapport with the editors and demonstrate your commitment to the Medium community.

In addition to submitting your work to publications, you can also create your publication on Medium. This can be a valuable way to establish yourself as a thought leader in your niche and attract a following. However, managing a publication requires a significant time commitment, so it’s essential to consider whether you have the bandwidth to take on this responsibility.

Promote Your Medium Content

Promoting your Medium content is crucial to expanding your reach and attracting new readers. Here are some tips to help you effectively promote your content on social media and other platforms:

Share on social media: Share your Medium stories on your social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Make sure to craft engaging posts that highlight the key points of your story and include relevant hashtags.

Use email newsletters: Use your email newsletter to keep your audience updated on your latest Medium stories. This is a great way to drive traffic directly to your content and build a loyal following.

Leverage Medium publications: Submit your stories to relevant Medium publications to increase their visibility and reach a wider audience. Make sure to follow the submission guidelines carefully and choose publications that align with your content.

Engage with the Medium community: Engage with other writers and readers on Medium by leaving thoughtful comments, clapping for stories you find interesting, and following writers in your niche. Building relationships and engaging with the Medium community can lead to increased visibility and readership.

Optimize for SEO: Optimize your Medium stories for search engines by performing keyword research, incorporating relevant keywords into your title and meta description, and building high-quality backlinks. This can help your stories rank higher in search engine results and attract organic traffic.

Repurpose your content: Repurpose your Medium stories into other formats, such as videos, podcasts, or infographics, to reach new audiences and tap into different content consumption preferences.

By following these tips, you can effectively promote your Medium content and attract a larger audience to your writing. Remember, consistency is key when promoting your content, so make sure to continuously share, engage, and promote your stories to expand their reach and attract a broader audience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, building a following on Medium is crucial for engagement and visibility on the platform. Followers are important for engagement and visibility, and building a loyal audience is essential for maximizing engagement, increasing visibility, and ultimately, earning potential on the platform. To build a following on Medium, it’s important to understand your audience, be consistent with your posting schedule, engage with the community, use tags and keywords effectively, collaborate with other writers, and leverage Medium publications.

We encourage readers to implement these strategies to grow their Medium followers. By understanding your audience, being consistent with your posting schedule, engaging with the community, using tags and keywords effectively, collaborating with other writers, and leveraging Medium publications, you can build a loyal following on the platform.