Becoming A Top 6% Writer On Medium
Writing as a Passion, not as a Chore
In June, I managed to break into the top 6% of writers on Medium, earning $149. This might not sound like an astronomical achievement, but I read that 94% of writers on this platform earn under $100 a month.
I was under no illusions as to how difficult this would be when I first started writing on Medium in March of this year. I wrote my first article on the March 2nd after months of procrastination and since joining the medium partner program 10 days later, my earnings have been increasing each month.
I have written 66 stories so far and 13 during the month of June. These were my top 3 performing articles of the month.
Here are a few tips that have helped me along the way:
1. Creating unique content and being transparent
I’ve always aimed to present an honest account of my experiences and insights. When I succeeded, I shared it; when I failed, I shared that too.
I noticed many creators in the make money online niche are not transparent and make exaggerated claims about how much you can really make.
I try to take people along a journey of what I’m doing to earn an online income and show my results instead of regurgitating what was already out there.
This created a bond of trust with my readers, who appreciated my candidness and felt more connected to my journey. It made my writing more relatable and approachable, which helped in expanding my reader base and engagement levels.
2. Not Writing Everyday
There’s a misconception that to succeed on platforms like Medium, you have to churn out article after article. But I’ve found that’s not necessarily true.
Writing consistently is important, but more critical is writing passionately and purposefully. At first, I tried writing daily, thinking it would bring me success faster. But it soon turned into a draining chore. I lost the joy in it, and my writing started to reflect that.
So, I changed my approach. Instead of writing every day, I switched to producing 3–5 articles per week. It was a game-changer.
I found I was looking forward to writing again. I had time to think about my articles, research them thoroughly, and write them with the passion they deserved. This not only improved the quality of my articles but also made the process more enjoyable.
3. Specialise in Your Niche
The niche I chose was Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and passive income streams. Being an avid user and advocate of KDP, I found it easy to write about the intricacies of the platform, the benefits, the challenges, and how to navigate them.
Being known for something specific helped me carve a niche and connect with a specific audience on Medium. It created a sense of expectation among my readers, and I ensured to deliver on that expectation with each piece I published.
You don’t have to have a huge depth of knowledge and be a guru to write about any niche but if you have a genuine passion for it, readers will sense this and your knowledge will grow with time.
4. Use Attention-grabbing titles and unique thumbnails
The online world is a sea of information, and catching a reader’s eye is crucial. Your title and thumbnail are the first things readers see.
They should spark curiosity, promise value, and compel the reader to click on your piece amidst all the noise.
It’s a skill that requires practice, creativity, and a deep understanding of your audience- but it can make a big difference in your readership and engagement metrics.
There are various websites online that you can use as a free headline analyzer and develop a more interesting headline.
I also use Canva to create more interesting and unique thumbnails.
5. Follow and engage with writers in your niche
When I started writing on Medium, I made it a point to follow and engage with other writers in my niche.
I read their articles, clapped, and left thoughtful comments. This wasn’t a calculated move to gain visibility; rather, it was a genuine interest in learning from others, appreciating their work, and contributing to the conversation.
By observing the content, interactions, questions, and comments, I was able to gain insights. This allowed me to tailor my content and foster a stronger connection with my niched audience.
Engaging with fellow writers gave me a sense of belonging. Writing can often be a solitary endeavor, and having a community of like-minded individuals facing similar challenges and sharing similar goals can be a great source of motivation and encouragement.
Final Thoughts
Breaking into the top 6% of writers on Medium was not a walk in the park, but it was an adventure that taught me more about writing and myself.
When you infuse your words with authenticity and genuine interest, success becomes a happy consequence. I look forward to continuing my writing adventure on Medium, and I can’t wait to see where this journey will take me next.