6 Medium Boxes You Must Tick in 2021 In Order to Make it
The rules are changing
We can all agree that things in life are always in a constant storm of change. The one thing we wish however not to change is our partners. Even we too have no control over that.
When it comes to things changing, Medium is no exceptions. I have not been here that long to have experienced every Medium mood swing. But from study and following the big boys and girls who have, I can say it’s been a rollercoaster ride on this platform
While medium prides itself as a platform that gives writers the flexibility they need to be creative, it is, however, a platform with a certain core caveat for those who want to make it big time.
Yes, you can certainly write what you want, how you want, and when you want, but if you want to make it big time, get known, and roll in the big checks, then Medium has different sets of rules for those. It is those boxes we are going to dissect today to see how you can maximise the full potential of this platform.
1. Quality
When I started on Medium, the battle was between quality or quantity. We will talk about quantity in the next section to delineate where it stands as well.
Something to keep at the back of your mind is Medium is a quality platform. It boasts of having some of the best writers, editors and contents on the web. And it hasn't shied from that rhetoric — am sure it wouldn't now.
While most of the beginner's advice on the platform encourages quantity, it does not, however, disregards the need to churn out quality pieces. As we would discuss shortly, you'll see that quantity has its place.
Browsing through the big pubs, and also with a close study of recommended articles, which is, articles that medium curates and recommend to more writers, are top-notch, high qualities pieces.
Medium does this because they have a reputation to uphold.
You wish to stand out on this platform this year and beyond? Then start drawing strategies on producing quality pieces. Quality can be gotten from writing a lot. I mean a lot — and editing a lot as well. Spending time on research and nailing each point or message accurately and appropriately.
2. Quantity
Medium is a daily reading platform. Among its many goals, is to provide readers with fresh content, daily. The reason why I love to log on to this platform is the fact that I know I will be greeted with new articles, new message and new stories.
Knowing that things are always new and fresh is a good incentive to come back for more.
To be part of that circle of green and on standby ready to be read contents, it is important you write a lot. I repeat — write a lot. This is crucial for so many reasons.
- It is by writing a lot you get to offload all the crapy pieces you have within you as a new writer. No need for shame. No one starts off great. Every writer had a bunch of early craps. Some may be worse than others, but hey, it's still crap.
- There is only one path to improvement — that is repetition, repetition, repetition.
- The more you write, the more you actually feel like a writer.
- Writing more helps your brain get used to transcribing life events and experiences into stories and ideas, which helps your creativity.
- The Medium platform requires you to write more to stand a chance.
On medium the more you are seen, the better. So get your work to flood the platform — why? There are hundreds and thousands of writers on this platform. With such vast ocean of competition, how do you expect to been seen if you are not flooding the platform with your works?
Quantity, just like quality is also key to getting the Top Writer batch on any topic.
3. Engagement
Medium recent change means they’re changing their focus. I am sure you've heard Medium is finally getting rid of the gatekeepers — the Medium owned publications and their editors.
What that means, is Medium is trying to circle back to their main purpose in the first place. Which is to focus on the messenger and the message. And that means you and your articles.
This should be good news for all.
But it also comes with a footnote — more responsibility for writers. With the new changes, it is no wonder most writers have complained about a decline in stats.
Medium wants to revert back to its core value, which is creating a social hub — an interactive and engaging community of writers and readers. It seeks to remove the huge chasm that has appeared between the big sharks and the new sharks on the block.
What that means is that you are now expected to engage and interact on the platform — spend more time and create relationships.
I’ve tried this myself. I got my highest earnings last month, by experimenting to see what happens when I engage more. And it did pay off.
That is what Medium wants. Interactions and engagement.
4. Consistency
If there is any magic wand or the sole wheel upon which success lays, is consistency.
Without consistency, nothing happens.
The algorithm promotes two types of contents, viz;
- Evergreen pieces
These are the contents that are timeless and stay relevant at all times. If you’ve stayed on this platform long enough, every now and then, you will have medium recommend articles from months ago, sometimes, a couple of years ago. Because they know the message of these pieces are timeless and evergreen.
- Recently published pieces
Immediately you hit publish, your articles stay on top of the stack. Remember we mentioned Medium prides itself as a platform with fresh contents? That is why Medium prioritizes fresh contents on your homepage.
To stay consistent is to increase our chances of being noticed by the platform as well as readers.
The moment you stop writing, your stats plummet, your writing suffers, your mind becomes dormant when it comes to articulating ideas and transforming them into literary pieces.
5. Marketing
Medium markets a lot of pieces through their daily and weekly updates through mails. Also through SEO and google searches. But it is usually the top writers that enjoy this first-class service the most.
Although Medium also sends newsletters of the writers you follow, that is only if you follow them.
The platform is becoming tedious, challenging and highly competitive. You must use everything within your arsenal to stand out — and if possible, win.
After hitting publish, do not stop there. Share your works. Share them as much as you can. I have seen many top writers on this platform on offshore groups, like Facebook groups, promoting their works. It doesn't matter to them if they're doing well already. Because they know there is a war going on on this platform. Many just do not know it yet.
Join offshore groups.
There are many Medium groups on Facebook, and Twitter that you can join and promote your work to increase eyeballs on your work.
Medium also benefits from your marketing, because it provides a chance for Non-Medium user to find a platform like Medium.
6. Patience
Making it on Medium is a long road.
Medium has created the opportunity, but it never said it would be easy. I know many people, when they first find this platform, the first thing they think is, it's all about writing and publishing? I am gonna make a lot of money fast.
I know I thought the same too. But it’s been a sweet disappointment.
I’m often aghast when I see how people sermonize making it online is as easy as just hitting a few keyboard buttons. It's appalling because it is deceitful.
I have tried many online ventures to make money, and non, my friend, is easy.
In fact, from my experience, Medium is possibly the easiest among them. But it requires time and patience. You cannot win here if you're just looking for something to happen very quickly.
However, having said that, I am not ignorant of the fact that everyone has different paths in life. While some may take two years for them to start reaping and seeing results, for some, it may be just between 6 months to a year.
Especially for people who have had prior writing experience, or some lucky few who have wonderful compelling stories and life experiences, and just after one article, boom, they go viral.
Your story may not be like that. But it doesn't mean you can't make it.
You just have to put your head down and do your thing — be patient and go at your own pace.
Medium is a platform for all — pros and amateurs alike, business-minded folks and passion-driven folks. It’s all in here. But it depends on you. How do you want it to be? I have no doubt, that if you would follow the steps on this piece, you will surely make it here — big time.
If you’re interested in the secrets of the top writers and authors, then read my two articles below…