3 Sure Signs of Success On Illumination
Proof positive that Illumination works
Like everyone else here I started at absolute zero when I first joined Medium about just over five months ago. And it has to be said that for the first month or so I was an unmitigated disaster. I did just about everything wrong that could be done wrong.
I was faced with the dilemma of whether to stick it out or not. I have to tell you it was a close call. I had even written an article explaining why I was leaving. Then something happened to change my mind.
I spoke to Danny Oak and Akos Peterbencze and they both came over really supportive and helpful. This was enough to make me decide to stick it out. However, I told myself that I would only do that if I was prepared to really get stuck into correcting everything that I had done wrong. With about fifty articles to revise, that was one hell of a lot of work to be done. I gave myself a stern talking to and I did it.
The next good move I made was to join Illumination. I was totally swayed by what Dr Mehmet Yildiz stated through his mission statement what his objectives were, and I liked the sound of it. It gave me hope that I could make a decent fist of it if I stuck my end of the bargain in producing quality content and Illumination stuck to their side of delivering on their promises.
I am happy to tell you that both sides delivered, both myself and Dr Yildiz. And so here I am ever so glad that I stuck it out, and I sincerely hope that Dr Yildiz is too.
So, what progress has been made, progress which demonstrably proves beyond all shadow of a doubt that it was all worth the effort. Well, Illumination has grown to over 40,000 readers and about five thousand writers. This is clear evidence that Dr Yildiz was holding good to his promises. As for me.....
I committed to writing up to the maximum number of pieces allowed to be submitted, three a day. And so far I have stuck to that, notwithstanding days when I had to attend to important personal matters, mostly to do with my health.
My very first paycheque with Medium was the princely sum of 0.33 cents! Very far from what I expected. Of course, I was never really in it for the money, but I at least wanted to make back my monthly subscription.
To make matters worse, my stats were in single digits! And I felt that even as a writer I wasn't being successful in terms of writing quality content. I realised that the money and the stats were a direct result of the lack of recognition as a writer. And that is what I had to change. It was no good me blaming anybody but myself. I took it on the chin and got stuck in.
Here is the state of play now
1.My monthly paycheque is for over fifty dollars.
2. My statistics have skyrocketed.
3.Dr Yildiz very kindly invited me to join The Amazing Team of Illumination editors.
Regarding number 1, I fully expect to continue making progress and eventually hit 100 dollars a month if I can, even more, if it is at all possible.
The statistics as of today are as follows.....
Views 9,821 in the last thirty days. (Yesterday I hit an all-time high of 965 views in one day!) Reads 6,370. The ratio between 50 and 100 per cent Fans 896
Now that is one hell of an improvement on my zero starting figures! There is still a long way to go, but I'm in it for the long haul anyway.
So, there it is in black and white. And although it hasn't been easy, it hasn't been too difficult either. And for me, it has been worth all the effort. The icing on the cake is that I have come on leaps and bounds as a writer and I have made a great number of new friends amongst the team of editors and writers from all around the world.
I have written a few articles about what it takes to succeed here and hopefully, now readers can see that I do know what I am talking about. I am not blowing smoke and flashing mirrors.
I sincerely hope that this gives all you writers the inspiration to keep going doing your very best to get where it is you want to be. And if I can help you in any way, as a writer and as an editor, you only have to ask.