8 Ways To Boost Your Writing Presence
Surefire ways to boost your writing presence and your confidence
You are in this venue because you want to read and write. I have been around since 2018. I started actively writing in 2019 and then took a two-year break. In late November 2021, I started publishing again. Since November 18th, I have been writing and reading a lot.
I’d like to share my observations from the perspective of a relatively new author.
1. Writing is important.
If you want to become a writer, writing is the first step. If you’re going to write a single one-minute read story each month, that’s fine. However, you must write and publish to make a presence.
2. Followers are important.
Some followers are more important than others. Many people join this venue to read stories. They are happy to be basic members with a limited number of free reads per month. I started that way. Then I decided I wanted to read more, so I became a paying member. Then I decided to see if I could get paid for my writing, so I joined the Partner Program.
I’m delighted to have free members following me. Followers that read, clap, highlight, and comment are even more delightful.
The followers I want and want to support are the paying members who read, clap, highlight, and comment. These are the followers whose reading habits support me.
If you aren’t a paying member, you can earn income from paying members. If I read your stories, part of my monthly fee supports you. But if you read my stories, I get nothing. I want to support writers that have skin in the game. I make every effort to read, clap, highlight, and comment on my followers’ writing because I want them to return the favor. It’s a matter of a fixed amount of time and an ever-growing follower base. The economics of this requires me only to reciprocate the reading of paying members.
3. How you read your followers is important.
The first step is to subscribe to full-membership followers. Subscribing allows each story they write to go directly to my email inbox. I can visually scan the stories written recently by my followers and decide the order in which I will read them.
When reading my prolific followers’ articles, I’ll follow this pattern. The first story is read, highlighted, clapped, and commented. Subsequent stories will be read, clapped, and highlighted.
Single submissions get the gold star treatment.
I’ll end my comments with, “Thanks for sharing and thanks for following me.” I want my followers to know I am reciprocating.
When reading someone’s story, it is important to keep the algorithm in mind. We’re told reading time is important. I believe audience engagement evidenced by highlighting and commenting is also important. Why else would those actions be recorded?
One of the cool things about reading stories delivered to my inbox is I can engage in a story within minutes of it being published. I like to see my most recent story with 50 claps within five minutes of it being published, don’t you?
4. Become a full member
If you would like me to read, clap, highlight, and comment on your stories, please feel free to use this [link] to become a full member of Medium. By being a full member, you will financially support other writers and me.
5. Get an email from me every time I publish
If you would like the opportunity to read, clap, highlight, and comment on my stories, then use this [LINK]
6. Here are some things I’ve seen other writers do to increase their published stories
- Write about something you know — work, family, trama, crazy exes, it happened to me, …
- Write a listicle on a topic of which you are familiar. It can be an everyday thing. Then rewrite the listicle with a slightly different title from a different perspective. You can recycle your content again by writing a listicle for each item in the first listicle.
- Write articles critiquing earlier stories you’ve written.
- Write a story highlighting your five greatest hits.
- Write a story highlighting your five worst-performing stories.
7. How to build your following when you have very few stories published
I’m going to promote Jan Sebastian’s grand system. You should read her 5-minute story and follow her advice, “The Medium $500 a month quest. We got this! Here are some tools.”
8. Here is an annotated list of stories I’ve written
I primarily write under four topics — Writing and Medium, Idioms and the English Language, Relationships, This Happened To Me, and Introduction of Klearance Cannabis Collection writers/editors. I invite you to read some of my stories. Most will make you chuckle.
Writing and Medium
The Great Debate — How Often To Publish To Do Well. Some say publishing every day is required to do well. Haven’t we forgotten something? Published May 7, 2 min read — In addition to publishing frequency, there are other elements to success.
One Is The Loneliest Number. You were wrong about this 3 Dog Night song. Published Apr 25, 2022, 2 min read — An end-of-the-month push for a story that had no reads in April until my readers gave it some needed TLC.
Writing Is As Easy As Driving A Car. Perhaps I should say writing is like driving a car. Published Apr 25, 2022, 2 min read — A reflection on how writing is analogous to driving a car. Using the proper tools help.
How I Earn $30 / Hr To Read Medium Stories. My rate isn’t always $30; sometimes, it’s $18.75. Published Apr 23, 2022, 4 min read — How to get paid to read and write Medium stories.
BUSTED! — In Their Quest To Be Right, Editors Can Be Wrong. My contact with some editors has taught me valuable lessons. Published Apr 19, 2022, 4 min read — A brief story with two points: (1) How I got BUSTED for violating Medium rules and (2) Editors are not always right & your choices.
I Can’t Believe I Did It Again! Easy Peasy: 8 Ways To Boost Your Writing Presence revisited. Published on Apr 11, 2022, 5 min read — Revisiting my earlier article “8 Ways To Boost Your Writing Presence” to identify how I have tweaked my plan as I reached 1,000 followers.
Miss Mattie’s Guide To Introducing Yourself To Another Writer. Miss Mattie explains the proper way to introduce yourself to another writer. Published on Apr 4, 2022, 3 min read — Miss Mattie shares her views on the etiquette of introducing yourself to another writer.
Bonus For Members Listening To Eligible Stories. This message is new. Who else has received this message? Published on Apr 1, 2022, 1 min read — Notification that I would receive a bonus based on the time members have been listening to my stories.
Miss Mattie’s Guide To Reading a Story, Miss Mattie explains the proper ways to read a Medium story or article. Published on Mar 24, 2022, 4 min read — Miss Mattie shares her views on the etiquette of reading stories on Medium.
Stories Get Lonely, Too. Here is a selection of my overlooked stories this month. Published on Mar 23, 2022, 1 min read — A quick listing of a few stories in need of a reading partner.
Congratulations, New Medium Member, If you’ve recently transitioned to being a Medium paying member, have you remembered to do something important? Published on Mar 18, 2022, 3 min read — Some items you need to take care of when you transition from a free member to a paying member.
To Block Or Not To Block, That Is The Question, A reflection on whether or not to block a writer and the choices Published on Mar 16, 2022, 3 min read — A reflection on using the “F” word in a title and the ways I have as a reader to express my displeasure.
Oops, I Did It Again! I Doubled My Earnings Of December With 2/3rds of February To Go Published on Feb 16, 2022, 4 min read — An explanation of how my 8 ways to increase my writing presence worked for me to reach my goal only 10 days into the month
Wait! Don’t Unsubscribe, I will show you an ultra-easy way to manage the flood of emailed stories. Published on Jan 29, 2022, 2 min read — An ultra-easy way to manage all the writers you subscribe to.
I Did It Again! I Doubled My Earnings Of Last Month With 1/3rd of This Month To Go, I’ll show you the eight steps I followed. Published Jan.. 24, 2022, 7 min read — An explanation of how I followed my 8 ways to increase my writing presence.
I Did It! I Met My Goal for December! You can do it, too. Published on Jan 1, 2 min read — An upbeat motivational narrative of how I met my $ goal for December 2021
About Me — Harold Zeitung Writing under a pen name has freed me to express myself. Published on Dec 31, 2021, 2 min read — An introduction to Harold Zeitung, the real me
You Can Do This! You Can Be A Successful Writer Magic spells for writers. Published on Dec 31, 2021, 3 min read — A delightful list of suggestions for building your writing experience
I See You. I’m Noting Everything About You. Am I A Stalker, or Am I A Writer? I’ve become more aware of people and my surroundings since writing. Published on Nov 18, 2019, 3 min read. — A reflection on how my observation has changed due to writing
Relationships
True Love: Have I Told You I Love You, Have I Shown You? It only took 40 years of marriage for me to find the love of my life. Published Feb 27, 2022, 6 min read — Reflections on true love for my wife
My Daughter Says I’m Not A Real Christian. I say actions speak louder than words. Published Jan 29, 2022, 6 min read — Reflections on my personal relationship with God and religions
When I Look At You, I See a Beautiful Woman. My girlfriend doesn’t like for me to say she’s pretty. Published Jan 18, 2022, 2 min read — The title says it all.
My Girlfriend Is A Hooker; She Loves Doing It. I’m okay with it, and I’ll tell you why. Published Jan 10, 2022, 3 min read — Learn what a hooker is and the origin of the word hooker.
I Wasn’t Consciously Trying To Make Her Feel Guilty. Unconsciously, It Was Premeditated. I don’t try to hurt her, some things just come naturally. Published on Dec 21, 2021, 4 min read. — A personal account of how I unintentional hurt someone I love
Baring all, I Love Boobs. A reflection on my lifelong love affair with boobs. Published on Dec 10, 2019, 4 min read. — A personal review of boobs
3 Essential Tips to Make Your Relationship Last 39 Years. I’ve never contemplated divorce; murder, yes, divorce, no. Published on Dec 1, 2019, 3 min read. — A few tips on how to maintain a long-lasting supportive marriage
I‘m Only Doing What She Told Me. It was nearly 20 years ago. “I want you to get a girlfriend. I don’t want to know about it. I don’t want my nose rubbed in it. “ Published on Sep 4, 2019, 2 min read. — A recounting of a discussion my wife and I had after her first bout of cancer
Idioms and English Language
A Simple Explanation Of American Politics — Look For Skeletons In The Closet. Idioms enrich a language by adding color and clarity. Let’s look at how they spice up politics. Published on Mar 14, 2022, 7 min read. — An explanation of American politics told through the use of idioms.
Mr. Putin Thought Ukraine Would Be a Walk in the Park, but It Looks Like He Has a Tiger by the Tail. Idioms add color to language. Published on Mar 8, 2022, 3 min read — an explanation of 3 idioms of the English language as they apply to current events.
Everybody Loves Reading How The Underdog Overcame Adversity. Often, English idioms describe human behavior and character. Chosen for further distribution. Published Feb 24, 2022, 6 min read — Explanation of some English idioms and their origins.
I’ll Be A Monkey’s Uncle, And Other Ways Animals Have Affected The English Language. Animal idioms surround us. Let’s look at some. Chosen for further distribution. Published Feb 8, 2022, 6 min read — Explanation of some English idioms and their origins.
By Running An Extension Cord To The Front Of The House, I Realized I Was Killing Two Birds With One Stone. Learning these English idioms should get you moving! Published Feb 3, 2022, 4 min read — Explanation of some English idioms and their origins.
He Was A Terrible Boss. He had too many balls in the air. Learning these workplace idioms will help you be more successful. Published on Dec 29, 2021, 4 min read. — This story introduces some workplace idioms that will prevent you from becoming a workplace idiot.
Where can I get some proper spotted dick? English speakers from abroad may need some help translating their English. Published on Dec 20, 2021, 5 min read. — A brief introduction to the differences between the Queen’s English and American English
John Didn’t Come To Work Today. He’s Under The Weather. Learning these idioms will make sailing smoother for learning English. Chosen for further distribution. Published on Dec 10, 2021, 5 min read — A summary of some common English idioms that originated in the sailing profession
It’s Been Raining Cats and Dogs; There Are Poodles Everywhere. Ten more English idioms that make learning English fun. Chosen for further distribution. Published on Dec 9, 2021, 4 min read — A summary of some common English idioms based on the weather
It Pissed Me Off, And I Cried All The Way To The Bank. An idiom took me by surprise last Friday. Published on Dec 6, 2021, 3 min read, In The Digital Journals. — A first-person account of an unpleasant event
In No Uncertain Terms, My Dad Told the Man How The Cow Ate The Cabbage. Five more English idioms that make learning English difficult. Chosen for further distribution. Published on Dec 1, 2021, 3 min read — A collection of some English idioms and their meanings
I’ve Been Sitting So Long I Can’t Stand It. Five English idioms that make learning English difficult. Published on Nov 18, 2021, 3 min read. — A collection of some English idioms and their meanings
This Happened To Me
Don’t Tell My Daughter I Did This — The Junior Staff Birthday Party 13 summer camp staff, some booze, and a lake equal a life lesson. Published May 22, 3 min read — My first experience with drinking at summer camp.
Facemasks: Yes, No, Or Sometimes — Choices to make at an in-person business meeting. Masks: Yes, No, Or Undecided. Published May 17, 4 min read — Difficult choices to be made in a business meeting.
An Unexpected Opportunity To Write — I wasn’t planning on writing this morning, but the perfect factors were aligned. Published May 13, 4 min read — How the factors aligned for the perfect opportunity to write.
The Middle Seat Is A Pretty Good Place to Be. I’ll share a couple of observations about my flight to Chicago. Published May 13, 3 min read — Reflections on the benefits of the middle seat on a 737.
Don’t Tell My Daughter I Did This — The Parking Meter Story An adventure with a slightly inebriated friend, an unfriendly parking meter, and the lake. Published Apr 29, 4 min read. — An ill-advised youthful experience.
Introduction of Klearance Cannabis Collection writers/editors
Call To Write For Klearance Cannabis Collection, An explanation of KCC and why you might like to contribute. Published on Feb 16, 2022, 3 min read. — A call to writers who are looking for a home for their literary masterpieces, and no publishing hassles.
Copywrite 2022 Harold Zeitung All Rights Reserved
Disclosure: This story has been edited by Grammarly.com
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