7 Habits of Highly Effective Medium Writers
How to Improve Your Writing Skills and Grow Your Following on Medium
As a Medium writer, developing habits that can help you become more effective in your writing and increase the chances of your articles reaching a wider audience is crucial. I will tell you what I have learned from writing on Medium in the last two months. I have put everything together in this writing titled, “The Seven (7) Habits of Highly Effective Medium Writers” which has helped me improve my writing skills and grow my following.
Writing Every Day
When I first started writing on Medium, I wasn’t sure who my audience was or why I should write every day. It felt like I was writing a letter and posting it publicly, hoping that someone would stumble upon it and find it interesting enough to read, clap, and comment on. However, after reading advice from successful and highly effective Medium writers, I realized that developing a daily writing habit was crucial.
Whether it’s a short post or a lengthy article, writing regularly helps to build skills and improve writing style. I’ve had days where I’ve written three articles and others where I couldn’t write at all, but I still made sure to have something to account for every passing day in the last two months. On average, I spend an hour or more writing daily, often while reading at the same time.
Research Thoroughly
Before writing an article, I try to research the topic thoroughly. This has helped me to gather relevant information and insights to use to create a high-quality article. To me, the spotlight is always the title and the subtitle because I feel that if I get it right, then every other thing will follow. Research can also help you to identify what has been written on the topic and whether you have anything to add or what perspective to write from, whether in support or against the idea. Research gives credence to your writing and gives your readers something original, impactful, and something for their time.
Develop Your Voice
I have realized that the best way to gain a writing voice is to write from your viewpoint. Start by telling your personal story; this is one thing I have discovered that many people do on Medium — writing about their writing. Your writing voice is what sets you apart from other writers. Apart from telling your personal story, you can also experiment with other writing styles until you find one that suits your personality and resonates with your readers. I am still a learner when it comes to finding my voice as a writer, but I can say that I have made a big improvement.
Edit Ruthlessly
Editing allows you to refine your writing and make it more concise and engaging. It removes repetition and cuts out any unnecessary words, sentences, or paragraphs. Look for ways to make your writing more clear and direct. I use the free version of Grammarly, which I am thinking of upgrading.
Engage With Your Audience
Writing is a form of communication, and highly effective Medium writers understand the importance of engaging with their audience. This will involve responding to comments on your articles, participating in discussions, and reaching out to readers who have clapped and commented on your writing.
Set Goals
Setting goals has helped me stay focused and motivated and gives me something to strive for, like knowing that there has to be at least one article to account for every passing day. A writer’s goals have to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Learn Continuously
I have also learned that highly effective Medium writers are always learning. They read other writers’ work, buy books relevant to the niche, and study the craft of writing. Learning helps you to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in your niche and can help you to improve your skills over time.
Finally, I have looked at my stats on Medium and come to a conclusion. The seven habits of highly effective Medium writers are geared towards writing more consistently and embracing the conversational aspect of your writing. It is believed that if you write consistently for one month, by a year of incorporating these habits into your writing routine, you will become a better writer with content that resonates with your readers. Start practicing these habits today and take your writing to the next level.
