42 Months of Daily Writing on Medium — My Top Strategies to Crush the Competition!

Sweat, tears, opportunities, and money.

That sums up the grueling 42-month journey I endured on my way to becoming an ultra-productive and competition-crushing writer.

When I first started, filled with naivety and dreams of becoming the next J.K. Rowling, my articles barely scraped together 10 weary views.

I was ready to throw in the towel more times than I can count. But as the days went on, my posts were getting a good amount of views.

The first article that went viral was in early 2021, and at that time tears were streaming down my face.

From that watershed moment, fueled by passion and renewed purpose, I dedicated myself fully to the craft.

Over 42 grueling months, I experimented relentlessly — trying, failing, learning hard lessons, trying again with the resilience of a phoenix rising from the ashes.

Through battles with writing quality along with quantity, ever-changing algorithms keeping me on my writer’s toes, and more editing mishaps than I can recall — I persevered.

And now here I stand — my stories regularly receive thousands of views, I’ve made a six-figure income out of them, with a readership base any publisher would envy, working with multiple companies, and investing the most

Because deep down I knew these oft-treacherous writer’s waters would forge me into something greater.

You may be wondering — just how did I do it?

That’s exactly what I’m going to break down for you today.

I’ll provide you the strategies to my hard-fought success — landmine lessons and all — so you can accelerate your own journey to writer’s glory!

This post contains the strategies that I’ve shared in my book ‘The Art of Writing- How to Make a Living Doing What You Love’.

So, if you want to learn more about writing and making money, buy it now.

With that said, here are the precious strategies I’m now passing on to you — go out and make me proud!

#1. Define your objective

Before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), clearly define your content’s purpose.

Are you aiming to educate, persuade, or entertain your audience?

Having a specific goal in mind will guide your writing and ensure your content resonates with your target readers.

#2. Embrace imperfection

Striving for perfection can hinder your progress and lead to frustration.

Embrace the fact that your writing will never be flawless, and use each piece as an opportunity to learn and improve.

Continuous growth is more important than achieving an unrealistic standard of perfection.

#3. Support your claims

When making arguments or assertions in your long-form content, always back them up with credible sources or personal experiences.

This enhances your credibility and ensures your readers take your ideas seriously.

Unsupported claims can undermine the effectiveness of your writing.

#4. Be original

While popular topics like side hustles, money, tech, and trends are great for attracting readers, avoid rehashing the same content everyone else is producing.

Inject your unique perspective, personality, and experiences into your writing to make it stand out from the crowd.

#5. Prioritize reader trust

Affiliate links can erode the trust between you and your audience if overused or poorly implemented.

Focus on creating high-quality, valuable content that your readers will appreciate, and be transparent about any affiliations or sponsorships.

#6. Outline your content

Create a detailed outline before diving into the writing process.

This roadmap will help you organize your thoughts, write more efficiently, and ensure your content has a logical flow.

Outlining saves time and reduces the likelihood of writer’s block.

#7. Keep it concise

Avoid long, complex sentences that can confuse or lose your reader’s attention.

Break up your content into shorter sentences and paragraphs to improve readability and maintain engagement.

Clear, concise writing is more effective at communicating your message.

#8. Leverage writing tools

Take advantage of the numerous writing tools available, such as grammar checkers and content analyzers.

These tools can help you refine your writing, catch errors, and improve the overall quality of your content.

Embracing technology can elevate your writing from average to exceptional.

#9. Edit with fresh eyes

After completing your first draft, take a break before diving into the editing process.

Returning to your content with a fresh perspective allows you to spot mistakes, typos, and areas for improvement more easily.

Multiple rounds of editing can polish your writing to perfection.

#10. Embrace the editing process

Understand that crafting excellent content takes time and multiple revisions.

Approach editing like a sculptor refining a piece of art — trim the excess, shape the structure, and refine the details.

Each round of editing brings your content closer to its best form.

#11. Take breaks

Recognize the importance of stepping away from your work periodically.

Taking breaks can help you recharge, gain new perspectives, and allow ideas to percolate.

Some of your best insights may come when you’re not actively focusing on the task at hand.

#12. Write informally

Engage your readers by adopting a more conversational, relatable tone in your writing.

Use contractions, colloquialisms, and even the occasional emoji (if appropriate for your brand) to create a connection with your audience.

Formal writing can feel stiff and inaccessible.

#13. Allocate time for research and editing

Recognize that research and editing are crucial components of the content creation process.

Dedicate ample time to thoroughly researching your topics and meticulously editing your work.

These steps add depth and polish to your final product.

#14. Separate writing and research

Avoid the temptation to multitask by writing and researching simultaneously.

This can disrupt your flow and lead to a disjointed piece.

Conduct your research first, compile your notes, and then focus solely on writing.

This approach helps maintain a consistent narrative and prevents distractions.

#15. Balance quality and quantity

While consistently producing content is important for engaging audiences and algorithms, don’t sacrifice quality for quantity.

Aim to create valuable, informative content on a regular basis, but ensure each piece meets your standards of excellence.

#16. Prioritize practical advice

While motivational stories can be inspiring, readers often seek practical, actionable advice they can apply to their own lives.

Focus on providing concrete tips, strategies, and insights that your audience can implement to achieve their goals or overcome challenges.

#17. Develop a unique Voice

Cultivate a distinctive writing style that sets you apart from other authors in your niche.

This unique voice should reflect your personality, experiences, and perspective.

Readers are drawn to writers who have a strong, recognizable presence on the page.

#18. Study your craft

Continuously invest time in studying the craft of writing.

Read books, attend workshops, and analyze the works of authors you admire.

Deconstructing the techniques of successful writers can help you refine your own skills and find new ways to engage your audience.

#19. Embrace storytelling

Incorporate storytelling techniques into your writing, even if you’re creating non-fiction content.

Use anecdotes, case studies, and personal experiences to illustrate your points and create an emotional connection with your readers.

Stories make your ideas more memorable and relatable.

#20. Write for your audience

Always keep your target audience in mind when writing your content.

Consider their needs, challenges, and preferences, and tailor your writing accordingly.

Use language, examples, and references that resonate with your readers and demonstrate your understanding of their world.

#21. Experiment with different formats

Don’t limit yourself to a single content format.

Experiment with blog posts, articles, listicles, tutorials, interviews, and more. Each format has its strengths and can help you reach different segments of your audience.

Diversifying your content keeps your writing fresh and engaging.

#22. Embrace feedback

Actively seek feedback from readers, peers, and mentors.

Constructive criticism can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your writing skills.

Be open to suggestions and use feedback as an opportunity to grow and evolve as a writer.

#23. Master the art of headlines

Craft compelling, attention-grabbing headlines that accurately reflect your content.

A great headline is often the difference between a reader clicking through to your article or scrolling by.

Study successful headlines in your niche and practice writing your own.

#24. Optimize for search engines

Understand the basics of search engine optimization (SEO) and incorporate relevant keywords and phrases into your content.

This helps your writing reach a wider audience through organic search traffic.

However, always prioritize reader experience over keyword stuffing.

#25. Promote your work

Don’t be afraid to promote your writing through social media, email newsletters, and other channels.

Building an audience requires consistent effort and visibility.

Engage with your readers, share your work, and be an active participant in your writing community.

#26. Develop a consistent writing practice

Build a writing routine that works for you and stick to it.

Set realistic goals, break large projects into smaller tasks, and use productivity tools to stay organized.

Consistency is key to building momentum and establishing yourself as a reliable source of content.

#27. Embrace rejection

Rejection is an inevitable part of the writing journey.

Not every piece you write will be accepted or resonate with every reader.

Use rejection as an opportunity to learn, refine your skills, and develop resilience.

Remember, even the most successful writers faced rejection at some point in their careers.

#28. Read widely

Read extensively both within and outside your niche.

Exposure to diverse writing styles, topics, and perspectives can inspire new ideas, broaden your knowledge base, and help you develop a more well-rounded voice.

Reading is essential fuel for your writing engine.

By following these strategies for your writing journey, you can create super-informative, engaging content that resonates with your target audience.

Hope you like it.

That’s it — thanks.

Want to make money via writing?

Check out my product “The Art of Writing” which contains all the strategies, lessons, trial and error that have helped me make six figures online.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to me on Substack for a thrilling dive into AI, tech wizardry, money hacks, side-hustle secrets, and beyond. Your adventure awaits.